When you change nameservers or edit a DNS record, the rest of the internet doesn't see it instantly. Other DNS servers keep the old answer until it expires. This article shows you how to check whether your change has gone through and what to do while you wait.
Check with our DNS checker
- Open our DNS checker.
- Enter the exact name you changed, for example
example.co.uk,www.example.co.ukormail.example.co.uk. - Choose the record type you changed: A, CNAME, MX, TXT or NS for nameservers.
- Compare the results from the different locations with the value you set. When all or nearly all of them show the new value, the change has propagated.
Why it takes time
Every record has a TTL (time to live), which tells other servers how long they may cache the answer. A record with a one-hour TTL can show the old value for up to an hour after you change it. Nameserver changes are usually slower, because the registry and resolvers cache those for longer, so allow up to 24–48 hours. Our guides to DNS TTL and DNS propagation go into more detail.
If you're planning a change, lower the record's TTL a day in advance (for example to 300 seconds). Once the switch is done, it will spread much faster.
The checker shows the new value but your browser doesn't
Your own computer, browser and router cache DNS too. Try these:
- Flush your computer's DNS cache. See how to flush your DNS cache for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Close and reopen your browser, or try a private window.
- Test on mobile data instead of your home or office Wi-Fi, which may use a different resolver.
Still showing the old value after 48 hours?
- Check the change is in the right place. Edits in cPanel's Zone Editor only count if your domain uses our nameservers. Look up the NS record to see which nameservers the domain really uses.
- Check for typos, a missing record, or an old record that's still there alongside the new one.
- If everything looks right and it still won't update, open a support ticket with the domain and the record you changed.
