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How to Verify and Troubleshoot Email DNS Configuration

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

How to Verify and Troubleshoot Email DNS Configuration

**Description:**This comprehensive guide will help shared hosting customers verify the correct setup of their email DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), test email routing, and resolve common delivery issues—whether your DNS is managed with Eco Web Hosting or on external nameservers (like GoDaddy or Namecheap).

Table of Contents

Why DNS Records Matter for Email

Email delivery and reliability depend on having the correct DNS records in place. Proper DNS configuration ensures:

  • Your emails land in recipients’ inboxes rather than spam
  • You can both send and receive email without interruption
  • Other mail servers recognise and trust your domain’s identity

The four core DNS records you’ll need for reliable email are:

  • MX Records: Route incoming email to your mail server
  • SPF Records: Define which mail servers are authorised to send on behalf of your domain
  • DKIM Records: Digitally sign outgoing emails for authentication
  • DMARC Records: Instruct receiving servers how to handle unauthenticated emails

Step 1: Accessing DNS Management

How you manage your DNS records depends on where your domain’s nameservers are pointed. You can only edit DNS directly in the Eco Web Hosting control panel if your domain uses our nameservers.

If Your DNS Is Managed with Eco Web Hosting

  1. Log in to your Eco Web Hosting client area
  2. Click Manage Hosting next to your domain
  3. Open the DNS Management section in the hosting control panel

If Your DNS Is Managed Externally

If your nameservers are set to another provider (like GoDaddy, 123 Reg, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.), you must:

  1. Log in to your domain registrar or external DNS provider’s control panel
  2. Locate the DNS or Zone Management area for your domain
  3. Make all changes (adding, editing, or removing records) from that platform

> You cannot edit DNS records from the Eco Web Hosting control panel if your domain uses external nameservers. All updates must be performed where your DNS is hosted.

Step 2: Verifying Your Email DNS Records

To ensure email works smoothly, check that the following records exist and are correct—either in your Eco Web Hosting DNS panel or externally, depending on your setup.

MX Records

Purpose: MX records specify which server handles incoming email for your domain.

How to Check:

  • In your DNS Management (either with Eco Web Hosting or your external DNS provider), locate the MX records.

For Eco Web Hosting email, your MX record should be:

Host: yourdomain.com
Type: MX
Value: mx.enmail.co
Priority: 10

If you use a third-party email service (such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365), use the MX details they provide instead.

**Note:**If you manage DNS externally but use Eco Web Hosting for email, you must add our MX record (mx.enmail.co) to your external DNS provider.

SPF Record

Purpose: The SPF record helps prevent unauthorised senders from sending email as your domain.

How to Check:

  • Look for a TXT record beginning with v=spf1.

For Eco Web Hosting email, your SPF record should look like:

Host: yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.enmail.co ~all

If you use additional services to send email (like Mailchimp or Google), add their include: statements to your SPF record, for example:

v=spf1 include:_spf.enmail.co include:mailchimp.com ~all

**Important:**Only one SPF record is allowed per domain—combine all services into a single record.

**If you manage DNS externally:**Create or update the SPF TXT record in your external DNS provider’s control panel.

DKIM Record

Purpose: DKIM provides cryptographic signatures for outgoing email, proving they’re genuine and haven’t been altered.

How to Enable and Check DKIM:

  1. Log in to your Eco Web Hosting client area
  2. Click Manage Hosting next to your domain
  3. Navigate to the Email section and select DKIM
  4. Click Enable DKIM (if not already enabled)
  5. The control panel will display your DKIM TXT record, which will look something like:
Host: default._domainkey.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhki...
  • If your DNS is managed with us, this record may be added automatically.
  • If you use external DNS:
    • Copy the DKIM record details provided in the control panel
    • Add them as a TXT record in your external DNS provider’s DNS settings

DMARC Record

Purpose: DMARC helps protect your domain from phishing and spoofing by instructing receiving servers how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.

Recommended starting DMARC record:

Host: _dmarc.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:your@email.com
  • Begin with p=none to monitor email activity without affecting delivery
  • After monitoring, you may adjust to p=quarantine or p=reject for stronger enforcement

Add this DMARC record in the DNS panel where your domain’s DNS is managed (Eco Web Hosting or external provider).

Step 3: Testing and Troubleshooting Email Delivery

Common Issues & Solutions

1. Email Not Sending or Receiving

  • Check MX Records: Ensure there is only one set of MX records and that they match your provider’s requirements.
  • Spam/Junk Folders: Always review these folders for missing emails.
  • Mailbox Full: Make sure there is available space in your mailbox.

2. Emails Going to Spam

  • SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Ensure all three records are present and correctly set up.
  • Blacklists: Test your sending IP against blacklists (see Useful Tools).
  • Email Content: Avoid spammy wording and excessive attachments.

3. SPF/DKIM/DMARC Failures

  • Syntax: Enter records exactly as provided, with no extra spaces or line breaks.
  • One SPF Record: Only one SPF TXT record should exist—combine all required includes in one.

4. SMTP Authentication or Connection Errors

  • Authentication: Double-check your full email address and password. Reset if needed.
  • SMTP Settings: Use mail.enmail.co with port 465 (SSL/TLS).
  • Sender Address: The "From" address should match your authenticated SMTP user.

Useful Tools

  • MXToolbox — Inspect your MX, SPF, DKIM, and check for blacklists
  • Mail-Tester — Analyze email deliverability and configuration
  • Google Admin Toolbox CheckMX — In-depth DNS and mail flow diagnostics
  • Email Trace/Track Delivery (if available in your control panel) — Follow the path of sent/received emails to identify issues

Step 4: When to Contact Support

If you have checked and updated your DNS records and tested your email, but problems persist:

  • Prepare the following information:
    • Your domain name
    • Any error messages received
    • Screenshot of your SMTP/email client settings
    • Details about any plugins or modules used (e.g., WP Mail SMTP, Contact Form 7)
    • Description of any recent changes made to your DNS or hosting
  • Submit a support ticket via your Eco Web Hosting client area

Tips:

  • Always back up your DNS zone before making changes, especially when using external DNS providers.
  • Allow up to 24–48 hours for DNS changes to propagate globally.
  • After updating records, retest your email functionality.

> For more guidance, visit our Email Hosting Help Articles.Still need help? Please submit a support ticket and our team will be happy to assist!