What is DNS record

How does an DNS record work

DNS records are digital instructions that tell the internet where to find your website. When someone types your website address into their browser, DNS records guide them to the right place. These records store crucial information about your domain name, including its IP address, mail servers, and other important details that keep your website running smoothly.

The process starts when someone wants to visit your website. Your domain's DNS records act like a translator between the human-readable domain name (like www.yourwebsite.com) and the computer-readable IP address (like 192.168.1.1). When visitors type in your domain name, their computer checks these DNS records to find out where your website lives on the internet.

Your DNS records sit on special computers called nameservers. These nameservers respond to questions about your domain name 24 hours a day. Every time someone wants to visit your website, send you an email, or connect to any of your online services, these nameservers check your DNS records and point them in the right direction.

Understanding key components

Several types of DNS records work together to manage your online presence.

• The A record points to your website's location.
• The MX record handles email delivery.
• The CNAME record creates aliases for your domain.
• The TXT record helps verify your domain ownership.

Each record serves a specific purpose in making your website accessible.

Your domain might need different combinations of these records depending on your setup. For example, if you're running a simple website, you might only need an A record. But if you're also handling emails and using various services, you'll need additional record types.

Examples

Here's what DNS records look like in action.

1. When you create a website with a hosting provider, they give you an IP address.
2. You then create an A record that connects your domain name to this IP address.
3. If you're using Google Workspace for email, you'll set up MX records pointing to Google's email servers.
4. For website security, you might add TXT records to verify your domain with services like Google or Microsoft.

How to check your DNS records

You can easily check your DNS records through your domain registrar's website. Log into your account, find the DNS management section, and you'll see all your records listed. You can also use online DNS lookup tools – professional tools like MXToolbox or Google's DNS lookup can help you investigate issues.

Common problems and how to fix them

Website not loading? Email not working? These issues often trace back to DNS records. The most common problem is incorrect record values – maybe a typo in an IP address or wrong mail server settings. Another frequent issue is DNS propagation delays when you make changes to your records.

To fix DNS problems, first verify all your record values are correct. Check that your nameservers are properly set at your domain registrar. If you've recently made changes, remember that DNS updates can take up to 48 hours to spread across the internet. For persistent issues, your hosting provider's support team can help identify and fix the problem.