Understanding DNS propagation

DNS propagation is the time it can take for domain or DNS changes to update across the internet.

When nameservers or DNS records are changed, the update may not appear everywhere immediately. Some visitors may see the new website, while others may still see the old website for a period of time.

What DNS does

DNS connects your domain name to the correct website, hosting service, email service or other online system.

For example, DNS helps control:

• Where your website loads from

• Which server handles your email

• Whether www and non-www versions of your domain work

• Verification records for third-party services

• Email authentication records such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC

When DNS records are changed, the internet needs time to update and cache the new information.

When DNS propagation happens

DNS propagation may happen after changes such as:

• Updating nameservers

• Changing an A record

• Changing a CNAME record

• Updating MX records

• Adding or changing TXT records

• Connecting a domain to new hosting

• Moving a website from one host to another

• Changing email providers

• Adding email authentication records

Not every DNS change causes the same delay. Some changes update quickly, while others may take longer.

What you may notice during propagation

During DNS propagation, you may notice:

• Your website works on one device but not another

• Your website loads on mobile data but not Wi-Fi

• Some visitors see the old website

• Some visitors see the new website

• Email behaves inconsistently

• SSL or secure connection warnings appear temporarily

• The domain appears to work in one browser but not another

This does not always mean the setup is wrong. It may simply mean the DNS change has not reached every network yet.

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS changes can sometimes update quickly, but they may also take longer depending on the domain, registrar, DNS provider, previous DNS settings and internet provider caching.

In some cases, changes may take several hours. In other cases, they may take up to 24 to 48 hours to settle fully.

Propagation time is not controlled entirely by WP Performance Hosting. It depends on how different systems around the internet cache and refresh DNS information.

Nameserver changes

Changing nameservers can take longer than changing a single DNS record.

Nameservers control where the domain’s DNS records are managed.

If you update nameservers, the domain may need time to start using the new DNS provider correctly.

During that time, some networks may still use the old nameservers while others start using the new ones.

DNS record changes

Changing individual DNS records may include updates to:

• A records

• CNAME records

• MX records

• TXT records

• SPF records

• DKIM records

• DMARC records

These changes can also take time to update, especially if the old records were cached.

Be careful with email DNS records

Email DNS records should be changed carefully.

If your domain uses email, DNS changes may affect sending or receiving messages.

Before changing email-related records, check whether your domain uses:

• cPanel email

• Google Workspace

• Microsoft 365

• Zoho Mail

• Another email provider

• Email forwarding

• Spam filtering

• Third-party email services

Incorrect MX, SPF, DKIM or DMARC records can cause email problems.

What to do after DNS changes

After DNS changes are made, you should allow time for the changes to update.

You can also check:

• Whether the website loads on different devices

• Whether the website loads using mobile data and Wi-Fi

• Whether www and non-www versions work

• Whether SSL is working

• Whether email is still sending and receiving

• Whether any connected third-party services still work

If something does not look right immediately after a DNS change, wait for propagation unless support has advised that the record is incorrect.

Do not keep changing DNS repeatedly

Avoid changing DNS records repeatedly while waiting for propagation.

Making multiple changes close together can make troubleshooting harder and may delay a clean setup.

If you are unsure whether a record is correct, contact WP Performance Hosting before making more changes.

What support may ask for

If you need help with DNS propagation or domain connection, support may ask for:

• Your domain name

• Where the domain is registered

• Where DNS is managed

• Which records were changed

• When the records were changed

• Screenshots of the DNS records

• Whether email is currently used on the domain

• Whether the issue affects website, email or both

Providing accurate information helps support check whether the issue is propagation, incorrect records or a different problem.

Existing customers should use the client portal

If you already have an active service, submit DNS questions through the client portal.

Client portal link:

https://client.wpperformancehosting.com/

Using the client portal keeps your request connected to your hosting service, domain details and support history.

Need help?

If you are unsure whether DNS changes have been made correctly, contact WP Performance Hosting before making further changes.

DNS changes can affect your website, email and connected services, so it is better to confirm the setup before editing records repeatedly.