Common DNS Errors: How to Fix Them?
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:43 am
DNS errors can cause websites to become unreachable or slow. Here are some common issues and simple fixes:
1. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
Cause: Domain name doesn't exist or wrong DNS settings.
Fix: Check if your domain is registered and DNS records are correctly configured. Clear your DNS cache or try different DNS servers.
2. SERVFAIL
Cause: Server error while processing the DNS query.
Fix: Verify your authoritative DNS servers are healthy and correctly set up. Test with tools like dig to spot misconfigurations.
3. Timeouts (DNS request timed out)
Cause: DNS server too slow or unreachable.
Fix: Switch to a faster DNS provider (like Cloudflare, Google). Ensure your firewall or hosting provider isn't blocking DNS traffic.
4. Misconfigured Nameservers
Cause: Wrong nameservers listed at the registrar.
Fix: Double-check that the correct nameservers are set where you registered your domain.
5. Propagation Delays
Cause: New DNS changes not yet fully updated worldwide.
Fix: Be patient — DNS changes can take 24–48 hours. Lower TTL values before making updates to speed future propagation.
6. DNSSEC Problems
Cause: Incorrect DNSSEC configuration leads to validation failures.
Fix: Make sure DNSSEC records (DS, DNSKEY) are properly set. If unsure, temporarily disable DNSSEC.
Quick Tip: Always monitor DNS changes and test with multiple tools (dnschecker.org, intodns.com) after any update.
Proper DNS management keeps your site fast and reachable — don’t ignore those small errors!
1. DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN
Cause: Domain name doesn't exist or wrong DNS settings.
Fix: Check if your domain is registered and DNS records are correctly configured. Clear your DNS cache or try different DNS servers.
2. SERVFAIL
Cause: Server error while processing the DNS query.
Fix: Verify your authoritative DNS servers are healthy and correctly set up. Test with tools like dig to spot misconfigurations.
3. Timeouts (DNS request timed out)
Cause: DNS server too slow or unreachable.
Fix: Switch to a faster DNS provider (like Cloudflare, Google). Ensure your firewall or hosting provider isn't blocking DNS traffic.
4. Misconfigured Nameservers
Cause: Wrong nameservers listed at the registrar.
Fix: Double-check that the correct nameservers are set where you registered your domain.
5. Propagation Delays
Cause: New DNS changes not yet fully updated worldwide.
Fix: Be patient — DNS changes can take 24–48 hours. Lower TTL values before making updates to speed future propagation.
6. DNSSEC Problems
Cause: Incorrect DNSSEC configuration leads to validation failures.
Fix: Make sure DNSSEC records (DS, DNSKEY) are properly set. If unsure, temporarily disable DNSSEC.
Quick Tip: Always monitor DNS changes and test with multiple tools (dnschecker.org, intodns.com) after any update.
Proper DNS management keeps your site fast and reachable — don’t ignore those small errors!