DNS troubleshooting

DNS propagation

InboxNest re-checks the records shown on the setup screen when you click Verify setup. Changes sometimes appear quickly and sometimes take longer. There is no fixed propagation time. DNS caches and TTL values on old records affect how soon InboxNest and other resolvers see the new values. Wait and retry before making more edits.

Who actually hosts DNS

The registrar is not always the DNS host. InboxNest looks at nameservers to identify Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace, and other known hosts. If nameservers point at a different company, add records there. A Namecheap or GoDaddy registration with Cloudflare nameservers will ignore registrar DNS pages.

Existing MX conflicts

If the domain already receives mail at Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another provider, do not replace those MX records unless you chose Direct MX on purpose. Forwarding setups must preserve existing MX records and forward only the branded address.

Host and name formatting

Use the Host value InboxNest displays. If the DNS host appends the domain automatically, do not paste your-domain.com onto the end. A host of selector._domainkey.your-domain.com.your-domain.com will not verify.

MX priority and TTL

MX priority must match InboxNest. A lower number is a higher priority. TTL can usually stay on the provider default; changing TTL repeatedly does not speed verification and can make later edits linger.

Cloudflare proxy status

CNAME or hostname verification records that InboxNest displays must stay DNS only. MX and TXT records cannot be proxied, so there is no proxy toggle to change on those types.

Trailing dots and suffixes

Some hosts accept a trailing dot on a target; others add the domain if you omit one. Copy the InboxNest value as shown. If the provider adds the domain when you already included it, remove the extra suffix rather than deleting the whole record set.

Forwarding verification

Google and similar providers may send a confirmation to the forwarding destination. That message arrives in InboxNest Inbox. Complete the provider’s confirmation there. InboxNest also marks receiving as connected when a forwarded message proves the branded mailbox or when it receives its own connection-test message.

Retry verification in InboxNest

After you fix a record or forwarding rule, return to the domain setup screen and click Verify setup or refresh provider info. Avoid repeated destructive DNS edits. Change one incorrect field, save, and verify again.