Cloudflare DNS Not Propagating

Cloudflare DNS Not Propagating? Troubleshooting Steps

It's frustrating: you've switched your DNS to Cloudflare, but visitors are still seeing the old website. DNS propagation can take time, but if it's been longer than expected, troubleshooting is necessary. While propagation can take up to 72 hours, most changes reflect within 4 to 48 hours. Here's a breakdown of potential issues and how to resolve them.

Common Causes and Solutions

Several factors can delay or prevent proper DNS propagation. Let's explore the most common:

• TTL (Time To Live): Your previous DNS records likely had a TTL. This value dictates how long DNS resolvers (like your ISP's) cache the information. A longer TTL (e.g., 24 hours) means it will take longer for the old data to expire. Once expired, resolvers will query Cloudflare for the new DNS records. Lowering the TTL *before* switching to Cloudflare is crucial for faster propagation.
• Cloudflare Cache: While Cloudflare accelerates website delivery, it can also cache DNS records. Ensure you've purged the Cloudflare cache after making DNS changes. You can do this from the Cloudflare dashboard under "Caching" -> "Purge Cache".
• Incorrect DNS Configuration: Double-check that you've correctly updated your domain registrar's nameservers to point to Cloudflare. Cloudflare typically provides two nameservers in the format of `example.ns.cloudflare.com` and `example.ns2.cloudflare.com`. Verify these are accurate in your registrar's control panel.
• Local DNS Cache: Your computer or router may also have cached the old DNS records. Try flushing your local DNS cache. On Windows, open Command Prompt and run `ipconfig /flushdns`. On macOS, open Terminal and run `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`.
• Firewall or Security Software: In rare cases, firewalls or security software may interfere with DNS resolution. Temporarily disabling them can help diagnose if this is the issue.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Verification

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, consider these advanced methods:

1. Use Online DNS Propagation Checkers: Websites like whatsmydns.net and dnschecker.org allow you to check your DNS records from multiple locations worldwide. This helps determine if propagation is complete globally or if the issue is isolated to certain regions.
2. Dig Command: The `dig` command (available on most Linux and macOS systems) allows you to query DNS servers directly. Use it to check if Cloudflare's servers are returning the correct records. For example: `dig yourdomain.com @example.ns.cloudflare.com`. Replace `example.ns.cloudflare.com` with one of your Cloudflare nameservers.
3. Contact Cloudflare Support: If you've exhausted all other options, contacting Cloudflare support is the next step. They can investigate potential issues on their end and provide further assistance. Before contacting support, gather information like your domain name, the DNS records you've changed, and the results of your troubleshooting steps.

By systematically working through these steps, you can effectively diagnose and resolve most Cloudflare DNS propagation issues. Remember to be patient, as propagation can take time, even with proper configuration.