Look up DNS or trace a network route
Use Track DNS as one diagnostic view, not proof of worldwide DNS propagation.
Where Tools → Advanced → Track DNS
Before you start
- Know the exact domain you are investigating and the expected result.
- Do not change records simply because one lookup differs; caches and different DNS providers can explain differences.
Steps
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1
Open Track DNS. Under Domain Lookup, enter the domain without a protocol or webpage path.
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2
If the answer is unexpected, first confirm which provider hosts the authoritative DNS and whether a recent record’s cache lifetime has expired.
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3
Trace Route is a separate diagnostic that follows the route from the hosting server toward the available destination. Use Trace only when this network information is relevant.
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4
Share the error and relevant results privately with support. A stopped trace can reflect filtering rather than a website outage, and a lookup from this server is not a test from every visitor’s network.
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5
Click Look Up and read the returned records. Compare the names and addresses with the configuration you intended.
Domain Lookup and Trace Route answer different troubleshooting questions.
Check it worked
- Check the actual website or mail service after investigating.
- Use independent authoritative/public DNS checks when validating a DNS change.