Most DNS changes work within a couple of hours. Here’s why they’re not instant, and how to check whether yours has gone through.
| Change | Usually works within |
|---|---|
| Adding or editing a record (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) | A couple of hours, up to 24 hours |
| Changing your nameservers | A few hours, up to 24 hours |
Why it isn’t instant
Computers and networks around the world remember DNS answers for a while, so they don’t ask again every time. Until that memory runs out, some people still see the old setting. That’s why it can work for you before it works for someone else, or the other way round.
Check if your change has gone through
- Test on mobile data or another device, not just your office Wi-Fi.
- Close and reopen your browser, or try a private window.
- Still the old result after 24 hours? Something else is wrong. See My DNS change didn’t go live.
Planning a move?
Make DNS changes at a quiet time, and keep your old website or email running until the new one is working for everyone.