DNS Propagation: Why Domain Changes Take Time

What is DNS Propagation?

DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to spread across the internet’s global network of servers. When you update your domain settings—like connecting a new domain to your Shopify store—those changes don’t appear everywhere instantly. Different servers around the world update at different times.

Think of it like changing your address with the postal service. It takes time for every mail carrier to get the update.

Why It Takes Time

DNS Caching

DNS servers cache (temporarily store) domain information to speed up lookups. When someone visits your site, their ISP’s DNS server remembers your domain’s address for a while instead of looking it up every time.

TTL (Time to Live)

Each DNS record has a TTL value—the number of seconds a server should cache that record. When you make a change, servers with cached data continue using the old information until the TTL expires.

Global Distribution

DNS servers exist worldwide. Changes must propagate to thousands of servers across different networks and countries, each with its own caching behavior.

ISP Update Schedules

Some ISPs update their DNS caches more slowly than others. Your home internet might see changes faster than your mobile carrier.

Typical Propagation Times

Change Type	Typical Time	Maximum Time
A/CNAME Record	1-4 hours	48 hours
MX Records	4-8 hours	48 hours
TXT Records	1-4 hours	48 hours
Nameserver Change	24-48 hours	72 hours

Most changes complete within a few hours, but allow up to 48 hours before troubleshooting.

Checking Propagation Progress

Several tools let you see how your changes have spread:

Online Checkers

• whatsmydns.net
• dnschecker.org
• dnspropagation.net

These tools query DNS servers worldwide and show which have the new records.

Command Line (for technical users)

dig +trace yourstore.com
nslookup yourstore.com 8.8.8.8

What to Look For

• Green checkmarks or consistent results mean propagation is complete
• Mixed results indicate propagation is in progress
• All red/old values suggest the change wasn’t saved or there’s an error

What to Do While Waiting

Don’t Make Additional Changes

Resist the urge to “fix” things while propagation is happening. Multiple changes create confusion and extend the wait.

Test from Multiple Locations

Your home might see the change before your office. Test from different devices and networks.

Clear Your Local Cache

Browsers cache DNS too. Clear your browser cache or try an incognito window.

Flush System DNS

On Mac: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache On Windows: ipconfig /flushdns

Use Direct IP Access

For Shopify, you can temporarily access your store via the IP while waiting for DNS propagation.

How to Speed Up Propagation

Lower TTL Before Changes

If you know you’ll be making changes, lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) a day or two before. This ensures faster propagation when you make the actual change.

Use a Modern DNS Provider

Providers like Cloudflare have faster propagation than many legacy registrars because their networks are larger and more distributed.

Verify at the Source

Make sure your changes are actually saved at your registrar. Sometimes changes appear to be made but don’t actually commit.

Common Problems

Changes Not Appearing

• Verify the change was saved at your registrar
• Check you edited the correct domain
• Ensure there are no conflicting records

Inconsistent Results

• Normal during propagation—wait 24-48 hours
• Check for cached entries in your browser/system

Site Down During Change

• Avoid changing DNS during peak business hours
• Use low TTL values before making changes
• Have your Shopify admin access ready as backup

How Recon Helps

Recon monitors your DNS configuration by:

• Detecting DNS changes as they propagate
• Alerting you to unexpected configuration changes
• Verifying DNS settings match Shopify requirements
• Tracking propagation progress across global servers

FAQ

Q: Can I force faster DNS propagation?

A: You can’t force external servers to update faster, but you can use lower TTL values (set in advance) and modern DNS providers to minimize wait times.

Q: Why does my site work for me but not my customer?

A: Their DNS server may have cached old data while yours already updated. They should wait or try clearing their DNS cache.

Q: What if it’s been 72 hours and changes still haven’t propagated?

A: Something is likely wrong with the configuration itself. Double-check your records at the registrar, ensure there are no typos, and contact support if needed.