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Why isn’t my domain working yet? (DNS propagation)

New domains and DNS changes take a few hours, and up to 24 hours, to work everywhere.

1 min read Updated

When you register a domain or change its nameservers or DNS records, the change has to spread across thousands of servers around the internet. This is called propagation.

How long it takes

Change Usually At most
New .bw domain (after activation) 2 to 3 hours 24 hours
Nameserver change A few hours 24 to 48 hours
DNS record change (A, MX, CNAME, TXT) Minutes to an hour 24 hours

During this time your website or email might work for some people but not others, or work on your phone but not your computer. This is normal.

While you wait

  • Don’t keep changing the settings. Each change restarts the clock.
  • Don’t create email accounts on a brand-new domain until it resolves.
  • Try a different network (e.g. mobile data instead of office Wi-Fi), or a private/incognito browser window.

Speed things up on your side

Your computer and browser remember old DNS answers. Clear them:

  • Windows: open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns.
  • Mac: open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
  • Browser: clear your cache, or restart the browser.
  • Phone: turn Airplane mode on and off.

Check progress

Online tools such as whatsmydns.net show what servers around the world currently see for your domain.

Still not working after 24 hours? Contact support and tell us the domain name.

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