DNS (Domain Name System) records are critical for directing internet traffic for your domain, including email delivery, website access, and verification with third-party services. Knowing how to check or manage DNS records helps you verify configuration, troubleshoot issues, or confirm propagation during domain setup.
Whether you’re managing a website or setting up email services, checking DNS records ensures everything is pointing where it should.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Are DNS Records?
DNS records are entries in the DNS system that define how your domain behaves. Each record type serves a specific function:
- A Record: Points your domain to an IP address.
- CNAME: An alias of one domain to another.
- MX Record: Directs email to your mail server.
- TXT Record: Used for SPF, DKIM, domain verification, etc.
- NS Record: Identifies the nameservers for your domain.
- AAAA Record: Points to an IPv6 address.
- SRV Record: Specifies service locations for specific services.
How to Manage DNS Records of a Domain
There are multiple ways to check/manage DNS records depending on your preference or technical setup.
Through the Domains.co.za Dashboard
1. Log in to your Domains.co.za account.
2. Click Manage Services and then Domains.
3. On the next page, select Manage next to your domain.
4. Choose Manage DNS next to DNS Records.
5. At the top of the page, click Add DNS Records and manage existing ones on the page below.
DNS Checking Tools
The easiest way to check DNS records without logging into your hosting control panel is to use a tool such as https://dnschecker.org, or https://whatsmydns.net.
1. Enter your domain name.
2. Select the type of DNS record you wish to check:
EXAMPLE:
A, MX, TXT, CNAME3. Click Search or Lookup to view the current DNS record globally.
These tools are helpful to:
- Monitor DNS propagation.
- Verify email setup records such as SPF, DKIM, or DMARC.
- Check if DNS records are correctly set.
Using cPanel to Update DNS Records
If your domain is hosted on a Managed cPanel or Reseller Hosting package with Domains.co.za, you can view and manage DNS records directly via cPanel.
1. Login to Domains.co.za Account.
2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.
3. You will see the Domains.co.za Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview on the right, with Open Support Tickets below.
4. Login to cPanel from your Domains.co.za Dashboard
5. Click on Manage Services to view the sub-dropdown menu and select the hosting package for the domain you want to work with – in our example we are using Web Hosting.
6. Click the Manage button to the right of the domain name you want to access.
7. The display will now show Product Information, Quick Manage, Resource Usage and Site Statistics for that domain name.
8. Under Product Information, scroll down to Control Panel, which will display cPanel to the right, and click on the Login button.
9. The cPanel Dashboard will now be displayed and then scroll to the Domains section.
10. Click Zone Editor, you will see a list of your domains. Click Manage next to the relevant domain.
11. You can view, add, or edit A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and other DNS records here.
These tools show direct results from authoritative servers and are useful for in-depth debugging.
Additional Information
Understanding how DNS records work and where to check them is important for anyone managing a website or domain. Here are a few key considerations:
DNS Errors to Check For
DNS records (particularly TXT and SPF records) are case-sensitive. Typos can cause verification failures or email delivery issues.
Missing or incorrect MX, SPF, or DKIM records are a common cause of emails not being delivered or landing in spam.
General DNS Record Information
- Propagation Time: DNS changes do not take effect immediately. It can take between 24–48 hours for changes to fully propagate globally and is dependent on the current TTL that has been set for the DNS record.
- Multiple Records: Some DNS types, such as MX or TXT, can have multiple entries. Ensure records don’t conflict, especially with SPF and DMARC configurations.
- Name vs Host Fields: When editing DNS, be mindful of how your DNS manager handles the Name or Host field. Some systems require just @ for the root domain or use full domain paths. PLEASE NOTE: regarding Domains.co.za DNS zone files, our system uses the full domain name rather than @.
- Third-Party DNS: If your domain is registered with Domains.co.za, but uses third-party DNS (like Cloudflare), you must login to that provider’s panel to view or manage DNS settings. This can be confirmed with the Name Servers that are being used by the domain and will determine where to Manage the DNS.
- Record TTL (Time to Live): TTL values determine how long a DNS record is cached. Lowering TTL before a major change can help propagate new settings faster, as this informs remote servers how frequently they need to look up the record.
