DNS Propagation Delays
After updating your MX records, email won't immediately work everywhere. This is normal — here's what's happening and what to do.
What is DNS Propagation?
When you update a DNS record, that change needs to spread across thousands of DNS servers around the world. This process is called propagation, and it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours depending on your domain registrar and the TTL (time-to-live) value of your records.
How to Check Propagation Status
Visit DNS Checker and enter your domain. Select "MX" as the record type. You'll see a world map showing which regions have picked up your new MX records and which are still showing old values.
What to Expect
- Most regions: updated within 1-2 hours
- Full global propagation: up to 24 hours
- During propagation: some emails may arrive, others may bounce or go to the old destination
Speeding It Up
You can't force propagation, but you can minimize delays by lowering your domain's TTL before making changes. A TTL of 300 (5 minutes) means changes propagate much faster than a TTL of 86400 (24 hours).
When to Contact Support
If it's been more than 48 hours and your MX records still aren't working globally, open a support ticket. We'll help check for configuration issues.