How to Check DNS Propagation and Accelerate the Process

Posted by Steve on in Hosting Tips

When buying a new domain, there will be a process called DNS propagation. What is DNS propagation? DNS propagation is when you can’t access the domain you just bought. Even though the hosting service has been active and your domain has also been registered.

But in more detail, what exactly is DNS propagation?

So, in this article, we will discuss about DNS propagation and the process.

What is DNS Propagation?

DNS propagation is the time it takes to update DNS to the server when you just buy a domain. This step is important to do because it is useful to synchronize DNS or Domain Name Server information for all available servers in a number of locations. As a result, the domain can function correctly and stably.

You and your guests are unable to view the website while the propagation procedure is underway. In truth, if your website is the result of a server transfer, access to the website may be challenging throughout the domain name server (DNS) propagation process.

So when does the procedure get finished?

The server propagation process has a different time. In general, the propagation period takes about 24 to 48 hours.

And yes, that was earlier, the Domain Name Server (DNS) propagation duration can vary. This is due to several things that can cause this process to take longer.

What Affects the DNS Propagation Process?

The propagation process sometimes takes a long time. This can happen due to the influence of the following:

1. Internet Service Provider

It turns out that the length of this propagation can also be caused by your internet provider. This is because ISPs need time to update their DNS (domain name server) when you access a new hosting server.

Then, the problem with this problem is that sometimes ISPs use a large enough memory cache that can cause the DNS update refresh process to take so long. This can result in a long time in domain name server (DNS) propagation.

2. Changes to the DNS Cache

In propagation, all DNS on the website takes time to update new domain information. Generally the information associated with the domain will be stored in the cache.

DNS cache functions to make domain search easier. So, when there are visitors who want information when accessing a website, that information is already listed in the cache.

So, when a domain points to a new IP address field, the entire DNS cache needs to be updated to the new address. This process can cause domain propagation which results in taking a longer time.

3. WHOIS Information Change

Whois is a tool used to find out the identity of the domain owner. This includes name, address, telephone number, email, and other contacts that can be contacted.

So, when you just buy a new domain, Whois can update the domain owner’s information in the database. This can affect the length of time in domain propagation.

4. Domain Registrar

The registrar or place of registration of a domain name can affect the length of time it takes for domain name servers (DNS) to propagate.

Usually a TLD (Top Level Domain) domain such as .COM, .NET, or .ORG, has a faster propagation process. Meanwhile, local domain names or ccTLDs have a slower response.

How to Check DNS Propagation?

To find out the status of domain name server (DNS) propagation, you can check with the following steps.

1. Using the DNS Propagation Tool

There are several propagation checker tools you can use, for example DNSChecker or ViewDNS.

The following is for checking using the DNS Checker site which can be easy to use.

  • Open the site https://dnschecker.org/
  • Write down the domain address in the DNS Check column. Then you can click search or press enter
  • The results of the Propagation DNS status will be displayed if it has been successful

2. Use Command Prompt

Another way to check Domain Name Server (DNS) propagation is by using the features from the command prompt which are usually provided by the hosting service providers. Here are the steps:

  • Login to your Control Panel first to find out your hosting IP. The trick, you can open your cpanel website link, for example http://cp.yourdomain.com. Then enter your username and password.
  • If you have done this, you can enter the Control Panel section, then see the hosting IP information on the right side of the Control Panel dashboard
  • Then on the Windows key + R button to be able to open the command prompt or cmd application.
  • Type ping yourdomain.com, then press enter
  • If the IP of the response is the same as the hosting IP on Control Panel, it means that the domain has been registered correctly.

How to Speed Up the DNS Propagation Process

There are several ways to speed up this propagation process that you can try as follows.

1. Refresh the Browser

One way to speed up propagation is to refresh your browser several times.

In a simple way, you can immediately press the CTRL + F5 keys simultaneously so that you can refresh the browser page. If that method doesn’t solve the problem, try the next step.

2. Clearing Web Browser Cache

Clearing the browser cache can also be a way of speeding up this propagation. This step is done so that the browser can access the newly updated website page.

This is because the browser cache often stores information that has not been updated. Of course this problem can make you unable to access a website.

For the solution, you can press CTRL + Shift + Delete keys. After that click the Clear Data button.

After clearing the browser cache, you need to restart the browser first.

3. Flush DNS

Flush DNS is a command that can be used to update the old DNS cache on your computer. Those old DNS caches can show information that hasn’t been updated.

In this case, the propagation may have been completed but you may not be able to access the domain yet due to issues in the DNS cache.

Here’s how to flush DNS on Windows:

  • Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R on your keyboard.
  • Type the ipconfig/flushdns command. Then hit enter to clear the DNS cache.
  • DNS flush results will be displayed after you have done steps 1 and 2 above.

Conclusion

That was an explanation of what DNS propagation is, which can be a reference for you. So, if the domain that you have purchased cannot be accessed yet, it means that there is a possibility that the propagation period has not been completed.

Propagation is the time it takes to update the DNS to the server.

This process can take 24 to 48 hours. There are several factors that allow this propagation to take longer, for example, constraints on your ISP, changes to WHOIS information, changes to DNS cache, and domain registrars.

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