Common DNS Issues and How to Solve Them

Key highlights

• Identify the common DNS issue by checking whether your website, email or both are affected.
• Confirm domain status to ensure the common DNS issue isn’t caused by an expired or inactive domain.
• Verify name servers to prevent a common DNS issue that can take your entire site offline.
• Review DNS records like A, CNAME and MX to fix misconfigurations behind common DNS issues.
• Allow for propagation time when recent updates trigger a temporary common DNS issue.
• Clear DNS caches and retest to eliminate local caching as the source of a common DNS issue.

Few things are more frustrating than a website failing to load when everything seems fine. Errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED can appear suddenly and stop visitors from accessing your site. In many cases, the problem isn’t the server or the website itself.

DNS problems often occur quietly in the background, making them difficult to identify quickly. A small DNS misconfiguration can lead to downtime, broken email or slow website performance. Recent updates, caching or incorrect settings can worsen the confusion.

Because DNS issues aren’t always visible, troubleshooting them requires the right approach. This guide covers the most common DNS issues, explains why they happen and shows how to DNS troubleshoot effectively. You’ll also learn how to update DNS records safely and restore access without unnecessary delays.

Quick overview – Common DNS issues and how to fix

Here is a quick overview of DNS issues you might face on your website with a simple fix.

DNS issue	How to fix it
DNS server not responding	Switch to public DNS, disable VPN/firewall, test another network
Incorrect A or CNAME record	Update records with the correct server destination
Wrong MX records	Fix mail server values and priorities
DNS propagation delay	Wait 24–48 hours after changes
DNS caching issues	Clear browser/device DNS cache
DNSSEC errors	Verify or realign DNSSEC settings
Reverse DNS mismatch	Request PTR record update from host

Now let’s dive deeper into what exactly these issues are and how to fix them in right way.

What is DNS issue?

DNS issues occur when the Domain Name System cannot properly translate domain names into IP addresses, blocking access to websites and services. These problems range from complete site inaccessibility to intermittent connection failures affecting specific visitors. Common causes include misconfigured nameservers, outdated DNS records, propagation delays and server failures.

DNS problems typically impact multiple areas of your online presence at once—website access, email delivery and subdomain functionality. When DNS problems arise, they typically affect multiple aspects of your online presence simultaneously, including website loading, email delivery and subdomain functionality.

Understanding what causes these disruptions is essential for maintaining reliable website performance and minimizing downtime for your visitors.

Also read: DNS Propagation: Timeframes, Tools and Troubleshooting

How does DNS work?

When you visit a website like [yourdomain].com, DNS (Domain Name System) translates the domain into a server address. Your device queries a recursive resolver—usually your ISP’s DNS server—which then contacts authoritative name servers to find the correct DNS records.

Key DNS records include A records (your server’s IP address), CNAME records (domain aliases like www) and MX records (email routing). Each record has a TTL (Time to Live) value that controls how long it remains cached. If any part of this DNS lookup chain fails, your website becomes inaccessible—even if your server is running perfectly.

Read more: How to Flush Your DNS Cache

What are the 7 most common DNS issues?

The most common DNS issues fall into seven main categories. For each DNS issue covered below, you’ll learn how to recognize the specific symptoms your visitors might experience. You will also understand the most likely underlying causes and discover the quickest way to confirm what’s actually happening before attempting any fixes.  

This approach helps you troubleshoot methodically rather than guessing, saving time and preventing additional problems during the repair process.

1. Resolution failures (DNS server not responding)

This issue occurs when your device can’t reach DNS servers to translate domain names into IP addresses, preventing websites from loading.

Common causes

• DNS resolver outages
• Network connectivity issues
• VPN or firewall interference
• ISP DNS problems

You may see errors like “DNS server not responding” or “Server not found.” Test from another network, disable VPN/firewall temporarily or switch to a public DNS like 8.8.8.8 to confirm the cause.

2. Misconfigured DNS records (A records, CNAME and MX)

Incorrect DNS records can immediately break website access or email delivery.

Common causes

• Wrong A record IP address
• Missing or incorrect CNAME records
• Incorrect MX priorities
• Conflicting or duplicate records
• Typos or invalid formatting

A and CNAME records control website access, while MX records manage email routing. Always verify existing values before making changes.

3. DNS propagation delays after updates (TTL and timing)

DNS changes don’t take effect instantly because records are cached across the internet.

Common causes

• High TTL values
• Recently updated DNS records
• Cached records on global resolvers

Propagation can take 24–48 hours globally. Lower TTL before planned updates and test from multiple locations or in incognito mode to confirm changes.

4. DNS latency and slow lookups

DNS latency causes slow website loading and intermittent connection issues.

Common causes

• Slow DNS resolvers
• Distant name servers
• Excessive CNAME chaining
• Inefficient caching settings

Switching to faster resolvers like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1, simplifying record chains and optimizing TTL values can improve performance.

5. DNS caching issues (stale results on your device or network)

Cached DNS data can prevent recent changes from appearing on your device.

Common causes

• Browser cache
• Device or router DNS cache
• ISP-level caching

Test in incognito mode, try another network and clear local DNS caches. If the issue persists everywhere, it’s likely a propagation delay.

6. DNSSEC failures (validation and signature issues)

DNSSEC protects domains from tampering, but incorrect configuration can block resolution.

Common causes

• Mismatched DS records
• Expired DNSSEC signatures
• Registrar and DNS provider misalignment

These issues often affect only some users. Verify DNSSEC settings carefully or contact your DNS or hosting provider before making changes.

7. Reverse DNS problems (PTR record mismatches)

Reverse DNS issues affect email trust and can cause outgoing messages to be flagged as spam or rejected.

Common causes

• Missing or incorrect PTR records
• IP address not matching the mail server hostname
• Reverse DNS not configured by the IP owner

PTR records are controlled by the hosting or IP provider, not the domain registrar. To fix this, contact your hosting provider with your mail server IP and the correct hostname it should resolve to.

Advanced DNS records to be aware of

For technical readers or those managing complex DNS configurations, advanced DNS records extend beyond basic A, CNAME and MX records.  

• TXT records store text-based data for domain verification and security policies,  

• SRV records specify service locations for applications like email or chat systems.  

• CAA records control which certificate authorities can issue SSL certificates for your domain 

• DKIM/DMARC records help authenticate email communications and prevent spam. 

You typically need these advanced records when implementing email security measures, setting up third-party services that require domain verification or configuring specialized applications. However, approach advanced DNS changes with extreme caution.  

Modify only one record at a time, document your previous settings before making changes and validate each change works correctly before proceeding further. Incorrect advanced DNS configurations can break email delivery, security certificates or third-party integrations without obvious warning signs. 

How to fix DNS issue: Step-by-step DNS troubleshooting guide by Bluehost

When DNS problems strike, systematic troubleshooting saves time and prevents making issues worse through random configuration changes. Each step includes specific commands and tools to gather concrete evidence about what’s failing, helping you make informed decisions rather than guessing at solutions. Following this structured approach helps you identify the root cause quickly while avoiding common troubleshooting mistakes that can create additional problems.

Step 1: Identify the symptoms

Begin by determining what is affected – your website, your email or both. Website-only issues often indicate problems with A records or CNAME records, while email delivery failures usually point to incorrect MX records. When Bluehost hosting is active but access is broken, identifying the affected service helps narrow down DNS problems quickly.

Step 2: Check your domain status

Make sure your domain name is registered, active and not expired. An expired domain immediately stops all DNS resolution, which means websites and emails will fail regardless of server health. You can confirm your domain status by contacting Bluehost over the phone or by email. You can also check your domain details inside your Bluehost Account Manager.

Step 3: Confirm the correct name servers

Name servers tell the Internet where to find your DNS records. If your DNS is managed through Bluehost, your domain must point to the correct Bluehost name servers. Mismatched or missing name servers are one of the most common causes of complete DNS failures, especially after transfers or account changes.

Step 4: Test access from different locations

Try loading your website from another browser, device or network, such as mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. If the site loads elsewhere, the issue is likely caused by local DNS caching rather than a server or DNS configuration problem. This step helps distinguish local issues from global ones.

Step 5: Review DNS records carefully

Check your A, CNAME and MX records to ensure they contain the correct values and destinations. In Bluehost’s DNS Manager, verify that your website records point to the correct server IP and email records are properly configured. Remove duplicate or outdated entries that could cause conflicts.

Step 6: Account for DNS propagation

If you’ve recently updated DNS settings, allow time for the changes to propagate. DNS updates can take 24 to 48 hours to appear worldwide, depending on caching and TTL values. During this window, some users may see the update while others still see older settings.

Step 7: Clear local DNS cache

Flush the DNS cache on your device to remove stored, outdated records. Cached DNS data can cause browsers to display incorrect results even after updates are complete. Testing in an incognito or private browsing window can also help confirm whether caching is the issue.

When basic troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your DNS problems, connecting with the hosting provider is the best solution. If you use Bluehost, we can help you resolve your issue with our 24*7 human chat support.  

Document exactly what isn’t working and any error messages you’re seeing before contacting Bluehost support. Many DNS issues resolve themselves within 24-48 hours if you’ve recently made legitimate configuration changes, but persistent problems after this timeframe usually require professional assistance. Contact us today if you still face issues with your DNS. 

Keep a record of your original DNS settings before making any changes, as this information becomes crucial for our support teams to help restore functionality quickly. Remember that DNS troubleshooting often requires patience, as the distributed nature of the system means changes and fixes take time to become visible globally.

Best practices for DNS management in 2026

As DNS infrastructure becomes increasingly complex in 2026, establishing consistent practices for record management, monitoring and documentation helps avoid costly downtime and troubleshooting headaches. Here are a few best practices you must follow to manage your DNS:

1. Maintain an accurate DNS records inventory: Document all your A, CNAME and MX records with their current values before making any changes.
2. Use consistent naming conventions: Establish clear subdomain patterns (like mail.[yourdomain].com or blog.[yourdomain].com) to avoid confusion and errors.
3. Set appropriate TTL values: Use 3600 seconds (1 hour) for most records, but lower TTL to 300 seconds before planned migrations or updates.
4. Plan DNS changes carefully: Schedule updates during low-traffic periods and always have rollback values ready.
5. Avoid unnecessary record modifications: Only update DNS records when essential – frequent changes increase the risk of errors and downtime.
6. Monitor DNS performance regularly: Use uptime monitoring tools to track resolution speed and catch issues before they affect visitors.
7. Secure DNS management access: Limit DNS control panel access to essential team members and use strong passwords with two-factor authentication.

Tools for DNS troubleshooting

When DNS problems occur, having the right tools and information helps you identify issues quickly and speeds up resolution with support teams.

• Online DNS lookup tools: Check current DNS records and verify propagation across different servers
• Command-line tools: Nslookup or dig provide detailed record information (optional for most users)
• Browser error messages: Watch for “DNS probe finished” or similar connection failures
• Error screenshots: Capture any error messages you encounter
• Timestamp documentation: Note when issues started
• DNS resolver details: Document which resolver you’re using
• Current record values: Record the values for affected DNS records
• Website monitoring tools: Track uptime and alert you to DNS-related outages

This systematic approach transforms frustrating DNS issues into manageable troubleshooting sessions with clear data points that help support teams resolve problems faster.

Final thoughts

Dealing with DNS issues can be frustrating, but the good news is that most problems have straightforward solutions. Whether you’re facing incorrect DNS records, propagation delays, caching conflicts or resolver errors, a systematic approach to troubleshooting will help you identify and fix the issue quickly.

While these troubleshooting steps can resolve immediate DNS problems, the best long-term solution is choosing a hosting provider that prioritizes DNS reliability and performance. This is where Bluehost stands out. With robust DNS management tools, automatic DNS configuration for new domains and 24/7 expert support ready to help you resolve any issues, you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time growing your online presence.

Our hosting plans include built-in DNS management with an intuitive control panel, making it easy to verify and update your DNS records without technical expertise. Plus, with guaranteed 99.9% uptime and optimized server infrastructure, you can trust that your DNS will work reliably when you need it most.

Ready to eliminate DNS headaches for good? Get started with Bluehost today and experience hosting backed by industry-leading reliability, performance and support.

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