How do I fix “server IP address could not be found”?

19 views

Overview

This error usually means your browser cannot resolve your domain name into an IP address. In simple terms, DNS is not working correctly or has not updated yet.

It can happen due to DNS misconfiguration, propagation delays, or incorrect domain settings.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Check if your domain is active

  • Log in to your domain registrar
  • Confirm the domain is active and not expired
  • Renew it if necessary

2. Verify nameservers

Make sure your domain is pointing to the correct nameservers.

Check:

  • Nameservers match your hosting provider’s settings exactly
  • No extra spaces or typos
  • No old or third-party DNS still applied

If recently changed:

  • Wait for DNS propagation (up to 24 hours)

3. Check A record settings (if using custom DNS)

If you are not using nameservers:

Ensure your DNS includes:

  • A record (@) → your server IP address
  • A record (www) → same IP or CNAME to root domain

4. Confirm domain is added in hosting panel

Log in to your hosting control panel and check:

  • Domain is correctly added
  • Document root points to correct folder (usually public_html)
  • No spelling errors in domain name

5. Clear local DNS cache

Sometimes your device stores outdated DNS data.

Try:

  • Opening the site in incognito mode
  • Restarting your router
  • Trying a different network (mobile data works well)

6. Wait for DNS propagation

If you recently made changes:

  • DNS updates can take 1–24 hours globally
  • Some regions update faster than others

During this time:

  • The site may work intermittently
  • Some users may still see the error

Important Notes

  • This error is almost always DNS-related, not a server failure
  • Expired domains will also trigger this issue
  • Incorrect nameservers are the most common cause
  • Propagation delays are normal and temporary

Common Issues & Fixes

Domain works on some devices but not others

  • DNS propagation is still in progress
  • Try flushing DNS cache or switching networks

Error started after changing hosting

  • Nameservers may not be updated correctly
  • Double-check DNS settings at registrar

Website completely unreachable everywhere

  • Check domain expiration first
  • Verify nameservers and A records immediately

Need Help?

If your domain still shows “server IP address could not be found” after checking DNS and waiting for propagation, support can review your DNS configuration and confirm whether the domain is correctly pointing to your hosting server.

Go back Similar articles
Top