DNS Checker Guide

Master our DNS Checker tool to validate email authentication records and optimize your domain for maximum deliverability.

Launch DNS Checker How to Use Understanding Results

DNS Checker

Validate email records

DNS Checker Overview

What the DNS Checker Does

Our DNS Checker is a comprehensive tool that analyzes your domain's email authentication records and provides specific recommendations for improvement. It validates the critical DNS records needed for optimal email delivery.

What Gets Checked:
  • SPF Records: Validates Sender Policy Framework configuration
  • DKIM Records: Verifies DomainKeys Identified Mail signatures
  • DMARC Records: Analyzes Domain-based Message Authentication policies
  • MX Records: Checks mail exchange server configuration
  • Smarthost.MX Integration: Ensures proper configuration for our service
Open DNS Checker
Why Use DNS Checker?
  • Improve deliverability
  • Prevent spoofing
  • Reduce spam placement
  • Ensure compliance
  • Monitor changes

How to Use the DNS Checker

Step-by-Step Instructions

Basic Usage:
  1. Enter Your Domain:
    • Select the domain from the dropdown box at top of page (e.g., yourdomain.com)
    • If you have more than one domain, changing the dropdown will refresh the page
  2. Click "Check DNS":
    • The tool will perform comprehensive checks
    • Analysis typically takes 10-30 seconds
    • Results display in real-time
  3. Review Results:
    • Green indicators show successful validations
    • Yellow warnings need attention
    • Red errors require immediate fixes
Advanced Features:
  1. Background Checking:
    • Our systems will check domains every 15 minutes
    • A quick status view is available on the dashboard
  2. Custom Recommendations:
    • Get specific fix suggestions
    • Copy-paste ready DNS records
    • Provider-specific instructions
Pro Tip: Save the DNS Checker as a bookmark for quick access. Check your domains regularly, especially after making DNS changes.

Understanding DNS Check Results

SPF Record Analysis

What SPF Check Shows:
  • Record Status: Whether an SPF record is present
  • Smarthost.MX Inclusion: Whether our servers are authorized
  • Record Content: Complete SPF record display
  • Recommendations: Suggested improvements
What the Tool Reports:
  • Current SPF record found (if any)
  • Whether Smarthost.MX is included
  • Recommended SPF record to add
  • Instructions for DNS setup

Need help setting up DNS records? See our DNS Configuration Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Recommended SPF Record:
v=spf1 include:spf.smarthost.mx -all
If you use other services:
v=spf1 include:spf.smarthost.mx include:_spf.google.com -all Example with Google Workspace

DKIM Record Analysis

DKIM Validation Checks:
  • Record Presence: Whether DKIM record exists
  • Key Validity: Basic key format validation
  • Selector Match: Proper selector configuration
  • Record Display: Shows current DKIM record
DKIM Setup Process:
  1. Get DKIM record from your dashboard
  2. Add TXT record to your DNS
  3. Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
  4. Re-run DNS checker to verify

Need DNS setup help? Our DKIM Configuration Guide has detailed instructions for all major DNS providers.

DKIM Record Location:

The DNS checker will show you the exact DKIM record name and value you need to add to your DNS.

Typical Format:
smarthost._domainkey.yourdomain.com Record name format

DMARC Policy Analysis

DMARC Evaluation:
  • Policy Status: Current DMARC policy (if any)
  • Record Display: Shows existing DMARC record
  • Recommendations: Suggested DMARC configuration
  • Reporting Setup: Guidance for report collection
DMARC for Monitored Domains:

For domains being monitored by Smarthost.MX, the DNS checker will show recommendations for including reporting to [email protected].

Learn more: See our DMARC Configuration Guide for complete setup instructions and policy recommendations.

Recommended DMARC Policies:
p=quarantine Suspicious emails to spam folder
p=reject Block unauthorized emails
Basic DMARC Record:
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:[email protected]

Fixing DNS Issues

Common Fix Procedures

Missing SPF Record:
  1. Access your DNS management panel
  2. Add new TXT record
  3. Set name to "@" (root domain)
  4. Set value to: v=spf1 include:spf.smarthost.mx ~all
  5. Save and wait for propagation
Multiple SPF Records:
  1. Identify all existing SPF records
  2. Combine all "include:" statements into one record
  3. Remove duplicate SPF records
  4. Keep only one SPF record per domain
Missing DKIM Record:
  1. Get DKIM record from your dashboard
  2. Add new TXT record to DNS
  3. Use the provided selector as the record name
  4. Copy the exact DKIM value provided
  5. Wait 24-48 hours for propagation
DMARC Configuration:
  1. Add TXT record with name: _dmarc
  2. Start with: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:[email protected]
  3. Monitor reports before increasing policy
  4. Gradually move to quarantine then reject

DNS Propagation & Timing

Propagation Times:
Cloudflare: 5-15 minutes
Google Domains: 10-30 minutes
GoDaddy: 1-24 hours
Namecheap: 30 minutes-2 hours
AWS Route 53: 60 seconds
Verification Steps:
  1. Make DNS changes at your provider
  2. Wait appropriate propagation time
  3. Re-run DNS checker to verify
  4. Check from multiple locations if needed
  5. Test email sending once confirmed
Note: Global DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. Be patient and re-check periodically.
Complete DNS Setup Guide: For detailed provider-specific instructions on adding DNS records, see our DNS Configuration Guide which covers Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, AWS Route 53, and more.

DNS Checker Best Practices

Regular Monitoring
Recommended Schedule:
  • Weekly: Active sending domains
  • Monthly: Stable, established domains
  • After Changes: Any DNS modifications
  • Before Campaigns: Large email sends
  • Troubleshooting: Delivery issues
Monitoring Checklist:
  • All critical records present
  • No syntax errors or warnings
  • Smarthost.MX properly included
  • DMARC reporting configured
Optimization Tips
Performance Optimization:
  • Keep SPF records under 10 DNS lookups
  • Start DMARC with p=quarantine policy
  • Combine multiple includes efficiently
  • Monitor DNS propagation times
Troubleshooting Workflow:
  1. Run DNS checker to identify issues
  2. Prioritize critical errors first
  3. Make one change at a time
  4. Wait for propagation before next change
  5. Re-check to verify fixes

Need Help with DNS Issues?

Our support team can help you interpret DNS check results and implement the necessary fixes.

Run DNS Check

Start with our automated checker

Check DNS
DNS Setup Guide

Detailed configuration instructions

Setup Guide
Expert Support

Personal assistance from our team

Contact Support