Website Works on www but Not Without It (or the Other Way Round)

If www.yourdomain works but yourdomain.co.tz does not, one of the two names has no record or points to the wrong place. Each name needs its own DNS record.

Overview

The root domain (yourdomain.co.tz) and www.yourdomain.co.tz are two different names in DNS. A visitor can type either, so both must work.

Why it happens

• Only the www CNAME was added, and the root A record is missing or old.
• The root domain still points to an old server, which can show a default or parked page.
• The platform redirects the root domain to www, but the root record is wrong, so the redirect never runs.

What it means

Your DNS is partly correct. Fixing the missing or old record usually restores the other name within minutes to a few hours.

How to fix it

1. Open your DNS Records and list the records for the root domain and for www.
2. The root domain needs an A record to the address your website platform gives (for example Netlify or Blogger).
3. www needs a CNAME to your platform's address.
4. Delete old A records on the root domain that point to a previous server.
5. Choose which name is the main one and set the redirect in your website platform.
6. Clear cache or test on mobile data: domain not working after a DNS change.

Related articles

• Domain Shows a Parked Page or "IP Address Changed" Message
• Connect a SakuraHost Domain to Netlify (A and CNAME Records)
• Certificate Error on Only www or the Root Domain (NET::ERR_CERT)
• How to Point a Custom Domain to Blogger Using Sakura DNS Manager
• Read the full guide: website works on www but not without it

Frequently asked questions

Do I need both www and the root domain?

Yes. Visitors may type either, so set both and redirect one to the other.

Why do I see a different page on the root domain?

It still points to an old address. See domain shows a parked page.

Written by Jumbe Nylon, Founder & CTO, SakuraHost. Updated October 2026.