If your website or email did not start working after a DNS change, check four things in order: the nameservers, the record values, the time since the change, and the cache on your device.
Overview
A DNS change has to be saved in the right place and then spread across the internet. Each step can fail, and the checklist below finds which one.
Why it happens
- The records were edited at one provider while the nameservers point to another.
- A record has a typo, an extra space, or the wrong type (A instead of CNAME).
- Your device or network still holds the old answer.
- Two records conflict, such as a CNAME and an A record on the same name.
What it means
In most cases nothing is broken permanently. The fix is to edit the correct place, correct the value, or simply wait and clear the cache.
How to fix it
- Confirm where your nameservers point (see change nameservers) and edit records only there.
- Compare each record with what your website or email provider asked for, character by character.
- Remove records that conflict, for example an old A record for the same name as a new CNAME.
- Wait. Most changes work within minutes to a few hours.
- Test on another network, such as mobile data, or in a private window. On Windows run
ipconfig /flushdns. - If it still fails after a few hours, open a ticket with your domain name and what you changed.
Still need help? Get support
Open a support ticket
A ticket is the best way to get this fixed: it keeps your details, and we reply in the ticket.
Prefer to talk? Call 0758 309 999 (fastest line). If that line is busy, call 0753 930 000 (longer wait).
Related articles
- Domain and DNS Problems: Start Here (Tanzania Troubleshooting)
- Website Works on www but Not Without It (or the Other Way Round)
- Domain Shows a Parked Page or "IP Address Changed" Message
- Understanding DNS Propagation and Why Changes Take Time
- Complete Guide to DNS Records: A, CNAME, MX, TXT Explained
Frequently asked questions
How can I check DNS from outside?
Use a public DNS lookup tool and query your domain's A, CNAME or MX record. It shows what the world sees, not your device's cache.
Why does it work on my phone but not my laptop?
Different networks cache DNS differently. The laptop may still hold the old answer until its cache expires.
Written by Jumbe Nylon, Founder & CTO, SakuraHost. Updated October 2026.