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Nameserver Errors
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Nameserver Errors

Overview

Nameserver errors occur when a domain’s registrar is configured to use nameservers that do not host the DNS zone for the domain. Nameservers are responsible for answering DNS queries about the domain. If they are incorrect or unreachable, DNS resolution fails.

Common Causes

  • registrar configured with incorrect nameserver hostnames
  • DNS zone missing from the provider referenced by the nameservers
  • switching DNS providers without updating registrar settings
  • typographical errors in nameserver entries

How the Problem Appears

  • domain returning NXDOMAIN responses in DNS queries
  • website becoming completely unreachable
  • email delivery failures due to unresolved DNS records
  • DNS lookup tools unable to locate authoritative nameservers

How It Is Diagnosed

  • checking nameserver configuration in the domain registrar dashboard
  • querying nameserver records using dig NS domain.com
  • verifying the DNS zone exists on the target DNS provider
  • testing responses directly from the configured nameservers

Typical Fix

  • update registrar settings to the correct nameservers
  • create the DNS zone on the provider referenced by the nameservers
  • correct typographical errors in nameserver hostnames
  • confirm nameserver changes have propagated
  • /insights/domain-configuration/
  • /insights/dns-propagation/
  • /insights/domain-email-problems/