SPF for my domain is exceeding DNS lookups. Please help.

Dvd

SPF for my domain is exceeding DNS lookups (12). I need help in updating my DNS records for SPF and fix issues with my domain emails not being delivered to recipients.

I am not able to change SPF records from within Ezoic DNS records dashboard.

Imogen

Dvd Hey, you can update your Ezoic DNS records here. What exactly is preventing you from adding / editing them?

Dvd

Imogen
Hi, thanks for your response.

For some reason, when I edit the SPF records in the DNS dashboard and try to save the edits it does not seem to respond or save my changes.

I was trying to use the "Reset to default" link in SPF records in order to try Ezoic's default SPF value (v=spf1 include:mail.emailyak.com _all). I am not sure whether that value would work for my site.

Please advice on that or other solution I can try to reduce DNS lookups from 12 to at least 10 as recommended.
Currently, my domain emails are not being delivered to recipients and I am troubleshooting trying to fix that.

Thanks.

David

Ethan

Dvd Thanks for clarifying. If you send over a list of the DNS records you're trying to either add to Ezoic or update we can try do it on the backend for you - you can send the DNS as text or an image

Dvd

Thank you for your reply.

My DNS records seem to be working correctly, except for SPF which reports 'SPF Permerr' error: "Too many included lookups (12)." I suspect this 'SPF Permerr' is what is causing my domain emails non-delivery.

I wanted to try modifying my SPF values to: v=spf1 include:websitewelcome.com _all , or maybe Ezoic's suggested default: v=spf1 include:mail.emailyak.com _all to see if that can fix the "SPF Permerr".

However, I am not sure if any of those two SPF values would be correct.

Could you please let me know if using either of the two SPF values would be correct before we make the change? I'd hate for my site to go down when making the change.

I'm not well-versed on this "SPF Permerr". I'm looking for help to fix the issue and ensure domain email delivery.

Thanks.

Ethan

Dvd Changing the SPF, MX or other email DNS records isn't something that'd send the site down.

In terms of the email delivery, I don't see any MX records in your Ezoic DNS settings right now are you able to locate those at your host? Missing MX records would typically cause email delivery issues, so this might also explain the issue at hand.

To fix this you want to add your MX records to Ezoic and the SPF record to Ezoic, I'd also suggest using the Ezoic recommended SPF value.

Dvd

Ok, nice to know changing DNS records isn't something that would send the site down.

I have located DNS settings from my host. I'm attaching an image of the records here.

Please update the MX and SPF records for me on the backend. I'm still not able to change the records from my end.

I'm okay with using the Ezoic recommended SPF value as you recommend, if it will work well.

Thanks.

Mohammad2306

We went ahead and updated your MX record to match what you have for your hosting. As for the SPF, what you have in your Ezoic dashboard matches what you have in your hosting control panel. Have you checked with your email / hosting provider to confirm that the record in your hosting control panel is correct? That's not something we can advise you on because we do not manage your email service.

Dvd

Mohammad2306

HI,

Yes, I have checked with my email / hosting provider and confirm that the SPF record in my hosting control panel is correct.

But, as I have already explained in this support thread, my current SPF records are reporting 'SPF Permerr', which is why I was asking if we could use the Ezoic default SPF v=spf1 include:mail.emailyak.com all as suggested by Ethan.

Or, maybe we could try v=spf1 include:websitewelcome.com all as suggested here: https://mxtoolbox.com/SPFRecordGenerator.aspx?domain=webwriterspotlight.com&prefill=true

I'm still facing domain emails non-delivery and noticing some new errors in my DNS records after your update. Actually, I cannot see the new MX records that you updated from my end.

Could you please look into the records flagged with a red hazard sign in my Ezoic DNS dashboard, and also confirm the new MX records inclusion? Something still isn't correct.

Thanks.

Ethan

Dvd Just taking a look, and your v=spf record is actually a TXT type record in your cPanel - have you tried updating the record type in Ezoic to TXT from SPF? Hopefully this will resolve the email non-delivery issue. It is typically a missing or incorrect MX/TXT record that causes email problems as opposed to SPF - let us know if that doesn't do it?

Dvd

Thank you Ethan. I think I may have solved the SPF issue.

However, when attempting to modify MX records to be exactly like what is found in my cPanel, the record I enter in the MX 'Value' text box changes automatically to another Ezoic value upon saving.

I am not able to change MX records from my end to reflect what is in my cPanel.

Could you change the MX records for me from the backside? Hopefully this will resolve the email non-delivery issue.

Ethan

Dvd Sure, but what is it you're trying to change the MX record to? I see a MX record @ mail.webwriterspotlight.com, which looks correct. Are you able to try update the SPF record to a txt record as suggested?

Dvd

Yes, I just managed to update MX to that record, which seem correct. But emails are still not being delivered to recipients.

I suppose I need to wait for a little while so the DNS records propagate before trying to send domain emails.

Is that correct? Or could there be another reason you can point out for domain emails non-delivery?

Ethan

Dvd As I mentioned, the SPF record is actually listed as a txt on the cPanel - did you update that record in the Ezoic DNS? That might also explain the email non-delivery

Dvd

Ethan
Yes, I have updated the SPF record as a txt. However, when I click "Save" edits, it reflects as SPF in my DNS dashboard.

Ethan

Dvd Thanks for confirming. In that case I'll pass this onto the tech team to see if they have any further insights - I'll let you know what they come back with. Your patience is appreciated in the meantime

Dvd

Ethan

Thanks.

Dvd

Hi Ethan,

Did you get a response from the tech team as to why I am still experiencing email non-delivery?

Ethan

Dvd Tech tried implementing a fix, but clearly it didn't work. I'll follow up and see what other solutions they can offer - thanks for your continued patience on this

Ethan

Dvd Hi, the team noticed another MX record was added to Ezoic (gator4143.hostgator.com) - is that a DNS record you recognise? This record was imported through integration but wasn't listed on the DNS records you sent from cPanel - can you also see if removing that record helped with email delivery?

Also, who do you use for hosting and the email service? Did you reach out to your host/email provider and have them clarify the records you've got in cPanel are correct and up to date?