How to Troubleshoot a New Domain that is Not Working

The registration of a new domain, whether with Bluehost or with another registrar, can cause delays and complications for the first time. Although domain registration is a speedy process, activation can be slow due to issues, such as delayed DNS propagation and incorrect contact information. In this article, we will be addressing common issues with domain registration and how to troubleshoot a new domain and quickly get it up and running again.

• Common Reasons Why a Newly Registered Domain Isn't Working
  • Check and Update your Domain Contact Information
  • Ensure your Nameservers are Correct
  • Domain is Not Listed in your Domain Manager
  • Newly Parked Domains May Take Time to Propagate
• Summary

Common Reasons Why a Newly Registered Domain Isn't Working

After registering a domain, you may encounter a delay in activation. Here are some of the common causes of domain issues and how to resolve them.

Check and Update your Domain Contact Information

If your domain is not active after purchase, it’s likely due to incomplete contact information. Check that you have entered your name, email address, physical address, and any other required details. To fix this, log in to your control panel and verify your information in the domain manager. For Bluehost, you need to access your Account Manager.

1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
2. Click the Domains tab from the side navigation menu to the left.

   

3. Select the domain name you're working with, then click EDIT to update your Owner, Administrator, and Technical contact information.

   

4. Make sure your domain's contact details has a valid name, email, and address as missing or incomplete info can prevent activation, thus, causing a delay.

If your domain contact information is correct but the domain remains inactive, reach out toyour domain registrar for further assistance. For Bluehost, contact our Support team for help.

Ensure your Nameservers are Correct

Another common issue why your domain name isn't active is that the nameservers are not correctly pointing to your intended hosting service. You will need to check your domain manager to verify your nameserver settings. For Bluehost, please refer to our support guide, How to Change Your Name Servers, to learn how to check and update your current nameservers.

Domain is Not Listed in your Domain Manager

If your newly registered domain is not listed in your domain manager, it may be due to a processing delay or an incomplete purchase. Consider the following items.

• Was the purchase completed if you purchased the domain? Verify that the domain purchase was completed and then check your account's invoice history.
• If the purchase was completed but still not listed, there may be a delay in the purchase or registration process. Please wait 30 minutes for the system to update and then check it again.

If the domain is not on your list and you've checked through the other possibilities listed, you'll need to contact support so they can investigate further. For Bluehost, contact our Support team for assistance.

Newly Parked Domains May Take Time to Propagate

If you've parked your domain, you may need to wait for DNS propagation, which typically takes 1-4 hours. You can verify whether your DNS has fully propagated by using online lookup tools like LeafDNS. If the domain is still not functioning after the propagation period, check your DNS settings or consider reaching out for support. For assistance with Bluehost, contact our Support team.

Summary

If you're having issues troubleshooting a new domain that isn't working as expected, don't worry—most issues are easy to fix. Review your contact information, nameserver settings, and domain purchase history to ensure everything is correct. If the problem persists, allow time for DNS propagation. You may also contact support for additional assistance. Follow the troubleshooting steps listed above to quickly resolve common domain issues and have your new domain working smoothly.