DNS Propagation: Why Your Domain Isn't Working Yet
What DNS propagation is, how long it takes, and how to check progress across global DNS servers.
What is DNS Propagation?
When you change a DNS record or move your domain to new nameservers, DNS servers around the world cache the old records until they expire (based on TTL). The time for the new record to be seen globally is called DNS propagation.
How Long Does It Take?
- Single record change (A, MX, TXT) — 5 minutes to 4 hours, depending on your TTL.
- Nameserver change — 2 to 48 hours. For .co.tz domains, TZNIC typically processes changes within 1–4 hours during business hours.
- New domain registration — Usually live within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
How to Check Propagation Progress
- Use the DNS Check tool at sakurahost.co.tz/whois
- Run:
nslookup yourdomain.co.tz 8.8.8.8(queries Google DNS directly, bypassing local cache)
Speed Up Future Changes
Before making planned DNS changes, lower your TTL to 300 seconds and wait 24 hours. When you make the change, it propagates in minutes. Raise TTL back to 3600 after the change is live.
Common "Domain Not Working" Causes
- TTL hasn't expired yet — wait it out
- Wrong IP address in A record
- Nameservers not yet propagated
- SSL not yet issued for the new server (auto-issues after propagation)
- Web server not configured for the domain
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