If you’ve updated your domain’s nameservers and your email suddenly stops working, the most likely cause is that your email-related DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, or DMARC) were not recreated on the new DNS provider. When nameservers change, DNS management moves to the new provider, and any records that existed on the old nameservers are no longer used.
In most cases, email functionality can be restored by verifying and re-adding the correct DNS records for your email service provider.
Hire Naxsol to fix the issue for you.
Why Does Email Stop Working After Updating Nameservers?
Many website owners assume changing nameservers only affects their website.
In reality, nameservers control all DNS records for a domain, including:
- Website records
- Email records
- Subdomains
- Verification records
- Security records
When nameservers change, DNS queries start using the new DNS zone.
If the new DNS zone does not contain the required email records, email delivery can fail immediately.
What Happens When You Change Nameservers?
Consider this example:
Before Nameserver Change
example.com
│
├── Website Records
├── MX Records
├── SPF Record
├── DKIM Record
└── DMARC RecordEverything works because all DNS records exist.
After Nameserver Change
example.com
│
├── Website Records
└── Missing Email RecordsThe website may continue working, but email services stop because mail servers can no longer determine where messages should be delivered.
Which DNS Records Are Required for Email?
Email depends on multiple DNS records working together.
| Record Type | Purpose | Required |
|---|---|---|
| MX | Directs incoming email | Yes |
| SPF | Prevents email spoofing | Recommended |
| DKIM | Verifies email authenticity | Recommended |
| DMARC | Improves email security | Recommended |
| A Record | Supports mail server access | Sometimes |
Missing MX records are the most common cause of email outages after a nameserver change.
How Do MX Records Affect Email Delivery?
MX (Mail Exchange) records tell the internet where email should be delivered.
Example
For Google Workspace:
Priority 1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5 ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10 ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10 ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COMFor Microsoft 365:
example-com.mail.protection.outlook.comWithout these records, incoming emails cannot find the correct destination server.
How Long Does Nameserver Propagation Take?
Nameserver changes do not update instantly.
Typical propagation times:
| DNS Change | Typical Time |
| Local DNS Cache | Minutes |
| DNS Record Updates | 1–24 Hours |
| Nameserver Changes | 24–48 Hours |
| Global Propagation | Up to 72 Hours |
During propagation, some users may experience email delivery issues while others do not.
How to Check If Your MX Records Are Missing
Several free tools can verify your MX records.
Popular options include:
- MXToolbox
- DNS Checker
- Google Admin Toolbox Dig
- WhatsMyDNS
What to Look For
A healthy domain should display valid MX records.
Example:
Priority 10 mail.example.comor
Priority 1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COMIf no MX records appear, email will not function correctly.
How to Fix Email After Changing Nameservers
Follow these steps in order.
Step 1: Identify Your Email Provider
Determine which email service is being used.
Common providers include:
| Provider | Example Service |
| Google Workspace | Gmail Business |
| Microsoft 365 | Outlook Business |
| Zoho Mail | Business Email |
| cPanel Email | Hosting Email |
| Titan Email | Business Email |
| Private Email | Namecheap Email |
Each provider requires specific DNS records.
Step 2: Verify MX Records
Check whether MX records exist on the new DNS provider.
Common DNS providers:
- Cloudflare
- cPanel DNS Zone Editor
- Plesk
- AWS Route 53
- DigitalOcean DNS
Compare existing records against your email provider’s documentation.
Step 3: Recreate SPF Records
SPF helps receiving mail servers verify authorized senders.
Example SPF record:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~allWithout SPF, outgoing emails may land in spam folders.
Step 4: Restore DKIM Records
DKIM digitally signs outgoing emails.
Example:
google._domainkey.example.comMissing DKIM records can negatively impact deliverability.
Step 5: Verify DMARC Configuration
DMARC works with SPF and DKIM to improve email security.
Example:
v=DMARC1; p=none;Many organizations use DMARC to reduce spoofing and phishing attacks.
Step 6: Wait for DNS Propagation
Even after records are corrected, DNS updates may require time.
Propagation depends on:
- ISP caching
- TTL values
- Geographic location
Testing immediately after updates may produce inconsistent results.
Why Can You Send Email but Not Receive It?
This situation often points to MX record issues.
Outgoing Email
Uses:
- SMTP settings
- SPF
- DKIM
Incoming Email
Uses:
- MX records
If MX records are missing but SMTP settings remain configured, users may still send emails while receiving none.
Why Does the Website Work but Email Doesn’t?
Website traffic and email traffic use different DNS records.
| Service | DNS Record |
| Website | A Record |
| Website | CNAME |
| MX | |
| Email Security | SPF |
| Email Authentication | DKIM |
| Email Policy | DMARC |
This explains why websites often remain online even when email services fail.
Example:
A business migrated its website to Cloudflare and updated nameservers.
The website came online immediately.
However:
- Incoming emails stopped.
- Customers received delivery failures.
- Outlook users could not send messages.
Investigation revealed:
- Website DNS records had been migrated.
- MX records were missing.
- SPF and DKIM records were absent.
After restoring the correct Microsoft 365 DNS records:
- Email delivery resumed.
- Outlook synchronized successfully.
- Spam placement decreased.
The nameserver change itself was not the problem. Missing email DNS records were.
Common Email Problems After Nameserver Changes
| Problem | Likely Cause |
| Cannot receive email | Missing MX records |
| Emails go to spam | Missing SPF or DKIM |
| Outlook disconnects | Incorrect mail records |
| Gmail rejects messages | SPF/DKIM issues |
| Intermittent delivery | DNS propagation |
| Email completely offline | Missing DNS zone configuration |
FAQs:
Will Changing Nameservers Delete My Email?
No. Email accounts remain intact.
However, missing DNS records can prevent mail delivery.
How Long Before Email Starts Working Again?
After correcting DNS records:
- Often within a few hours
- Sometimes up to 48 hours
- Rarely up to 72 hours
depending on DNS propagation.
Can I Change Nameservers Without Affecting Email?
Yes.
Before changing nameservers, copy:
- MX records
- SPF records
- DKIM records
- DMARC records
to the new DNS provider.
How Do I Find My Existing Email Records?
Check:
- Current DNS zone
- Hosting control panel
- Email provider documentation
- MXToolbox reports
before changing nameservers.
Does Cloudflare Cause Email Problems?
Cloudflare itself does not host email.
Problems usually occur when email DNS records are missing or configured incorrectly after migration.
Why Are My Emails Going to Spam After a Nameserver Change?
The most common causes are:
- Missing SPF
- Missing DKIM
- Missing DMARC
These records help receiving servers trust your emails.
Final Takeaways
- If nameservers are updated and email stops working, missing DNS records are usually the cause.
- MX records are essential for receiving email.
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC improve email authentication and deliverability.
- Website functionality does not guarantee email functionality because they use different DNS records.
- Always copy all email-related DNS records before changing nameservers.
- Most email issues after a nameserver update can be resolved by recreating the correct DNS records and allowing time for propagation.