# My domain is not working

From Waiting for DNS to a working address: the few things that genuinely go wrong.

For: Everyone connecting a domain

## Waiting is normal, for a while

A freshly connected domain shows Waiting for DNS until the world can see the records, which can take a few hours and occasionally a day. During that window everything is fine and nothing needs doing; Check now simply confirms it, so pressing it repeatedly is a hobby rather than a fix.

A useful test is the domain in a different network or on a phone with wifi off: if it resolves there but not on the office network, DNS everywhere is not the problem.

Walkthrough: Waiting is normal, for a while (The addresses for a website)

1. **Check now**: Confirms rather than speeds: DNS spreads on its own schedule, a few hours and occasionally a day.
2. **Meanwhile, read the records**: If the badge still waits after a full day, it is worth comparing the records again before assuming a fault.

Note: If the badge still says waiting after a full day, it is worth reading the records again before assuming a fault.

## Where DNS usually goes wrong

Compare each row in the DNS table with the registrar, character for character: the Type, the Name and the Value. The usual suspects are a missing subdomain prefix, an extra domain name pasted into the value, or records entered at the wrong domain for a site registered with a country suffix.

Only the records shown are needed. If the registrar will not accept a row, its panel is asking for the same thing in a different format; the classic example is a CNAME at the bare domain, which some registrars refuse, so the www row does the work and the bare domain forwards.

Walkthrough: Where DNS usually goes wrong (The addresses for a website)

1. **Character for character**: Type, Name and Value. A missing subdomain prefix or an extra domain pasted into the value are the classics.
2. **One domain at a time**: Change only the website records. Editing mail records while chasing a website turns one problem into two.

Warning: Change only the website records. Editing mail records while chasing a website turns one problem into two.

## When it works, and when to remove it

Once records resolve, the domain joins the addresses with Check now confirming and Make main promoting it. A padlock follows automatically within minutes; a stale padlock usually clears with a hard reload.

Removing a domain is a click, and its records can be tidied at the registrar afterwards or left alone: an unused record is harmless once the site has stopped answering to it.

Walkthrough: When it works (The addresses for a website)

1. **Promote it**: Make main puts the domain everywhere: headings, shared links and search results.
2. **Or step back**: Removing a domain is a click, and the included address becomes the main one again.

- [ ] Records match exactly
- [ ] Full day given before escalating
- [ ] Both www and bare domain behave
- [ ] The main address the one shared everywhere

## Can CubeSites set the DNS for me?

No, records live with the registrar that holds the domain. Support can read the symptoms with you but not edit another company's panel.

## What about the old site at the domain?

Changing the records moves visitors to the new site. Take a copy of anything needed from the old one before the switch.

## Related guides

- [Connect your own domain](/help/publishing-and-domains/connect-your-own-domain)
- [Contact support](/help/troubleshooting/contact-support)
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CubeSites is a trading name of Cube Systems Limited, part of Crushed Ice Group. Registered in England and Wales, company number 17220899. Registered office: Unit 11, Olney Business Park, Osier Way, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 5FP. ICO registration number ZC216972.

Contact: hello@cubesites.co.uk | 01234 672 617 | https://cubesites.co.uk/contact