Question 1

Why check MX records?

Accepted Answer

Checking MX records helps verify a domain can receive email, troubleshoot delivery issues, validate email addresses, understand mail server infrastructure, and ensure proper DNS configuration before sending important emails.

Question 2

How many MX records should a domain have?

Accepted Answer

Most domains have 1-5 MX records. Google Workspace uses 5 records, Microsoft 365 uses 1, smaller providers often use 2. Multiple records provide redundancy - if the primary fails, backup servers accept mail.

Question 3

What does MX record priority mean?

Accepted Answer

Priority determines which server receives email first. Lower numbers = higher priority. If priority 10 server is unavailable, the sender tries priority 20, then 30. This ensures email delivery even if servers fail.

Question 4

Can a domain work without MX records?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes - email servers can fall back to A records. However, this is unreliable and against RFC standards. Proper email setup requires MX records. Without them, many mail servers will reject delivery attempts.

Question 5

How do I fix missing MX records?

Accepted Answer

Log into your domain registrar or DNS provider (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.), navigate to DNS settings, add MX records provided by your email host (Gmail, Microsoft 365, etc.), and wait for DNS propagation (typically 1-48 hours).

Question 6

Why do MX records change?

Accepted Answer

MX records change when switching email providers, migrating to new infrastructure, adding backup servers, or updating mail server hostnames. Always verify MX records after email service changes.

Question 7

Can MX records affect email deliverability?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Misconfigured MX records cause bounced emails, delivery delays, and complete email failure. Proper MX setup is foundational for email delivery. Check MX records regularly to prevent issues.

Question 8

What are typical MX record TTL values?

Accepted Answer

Common TTL (Time To Live) values range from 300 seconds (5 minutes) to 86400 seconds (24 hours). Lower TTL allows faster changes but increases DNS query load. Most email providers use 1-hour to 4-hour TTL.

Question 9

Can I have MX records pointing to CNAME?

Accepted Answer

No, this violates RFC standards. MX records must point to A records (hostnames), never CNAME records. While some mail servers may work with CNAME targets, this is non-standard and causes compatibility issues.

Question 10

How many MX records should a domain have?

Accepted Answer

Most domains have 2-5 MX records for redundancy. Multiple servers ensure email delivery if the primary fails. However, too many records can slow down delivery. Balance redundancy with performance.

Check MX Records - Verify Email Server Configuration

Why Check MX Records

Verify Email Configuration

Troubleshoot Delivery Issues

Understand Mail Infrastructure

Validate Domain Setup

Understanding MX Records

DNS Lookup

Priority Analysis

Server Verification

MX Records FAQs

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