cPanel DNS Troubleshooting Guide

If you're experiencing issues like domain not resolving, subdomains not working, or email delivery failures — the root cause is often DNS misconfiguration. Here's a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to help you identify and fix common DNS issues in cPanel.

🔍 Step-by-Step DNS Troubleshooting in cPanel

1. Check Domain Propagation

Use an external tool like WhatsMyDNS to check if DNS records have propagated globally.

Fix: DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. Be patient or lower the TTL value before changing records.

2. Verify Nameserver Settings

Go to your domain registrar and ensure your domain is pointing to the correct nameservers (e.g., ns1.govaio.com, ns2.govaio.com).

Fix: If the domain is not using Govaio's nameservers, update them immediately.

3. Use cPanel’s Zone Editor

In cPanel → Zone Editor, verify that the necessary DNS records exist:

Record TypePurposeExample
A RecordPoints domain to server IP@ → 192.0.2.1
CNAMEAlias for subdomainswww → yourdomain.com
MX RecordEmail deliverymail.yourdomain.com
TXT RecordSPF, DKIM, etc.v=spf1 a mx include:mailserver.com ~all

Fix: If any record is missing or incorrect, add or modify it accordingly.

4. Restart DNS Services (Advanced/WHM)

If you have root access or WHM:

  • Go to WHM → Restart ServicesDNS Server
    Fix: Restarting can solve temporary caching or binding issues.

5. Check Local DNS Cache

Sometimes the issue is on your local machine.

Fix:

On Windows: Run ipconfig /flushdns

On Mac/Linux: Use sudo dscacheutil -flushcache or sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

6. Confirm Reverse DNS (PTR Record)

Important for mail servers. Use a tool like mxtoolbox.com to check reverse DNS.

Fix: You’ll need to request PTR setup from Govaio if it’s not already configured.

7. Test with dig or nslookup (Optional - Advanced Users)

dig yourdomain.com dig MX yourdomain.com

Check: Look for:

  • The correct IP address
  • Authoritative nameservers
  • Any SERVFAIL or NXDOMAIN errors

Common DNS Issues and Fixes

IssueCauseSolution
Domain not resolvingA record missing or wrongAdd correct A record
Email not workingMX or SPF/DKIM misconfiguredVerify mail records in Zone Editor
SSL errorsDNS not pointing to serverUpdate A record to point to correct server IP
Subdomains not workingCNAME/A records missingAdd subdomain in Zone Editor or Subdomains menu
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAINDomain has no A record or nameservers misconfiguredCheck registrar and Zone Editor

Need Help?

If you're hosted on Govaio and unsure how to fix your DNS, our support team can do it for you.

📞 Call Support: +91-657-3599171
📧 Email: support@govaio.com
🌐 Live Chat: Available via your Govaio dashboard