Troubleshooting issues with DNS records

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Troubleshooting issues with DNS records

Last updated April 02, 2026 20:30

Fix common issues that may affect your DNS records.

If you’re having trouble with your DNS records, use this guide to resolve any errors.

The record isn't saving

There are a few reasons why a record won't save when you try to add it. Follow the steps below based on what happens when you try to save the record.

Replace placeholder values

When adding a custom record, replace the gray placeholder values in the Name and Data fields. These placeholders are examples of the correct format for your reference, but they aren't real. If you add the record without replacing these two fields, the record won't save.

The Priority field is optional.

Check the Name field for the correct format

Here are some common scenarios you may encounter when checking the Name field:

  • If you’re adding custom records, your domain name is automatically added after any Name value. For example, if your provider asks you to use a Name value of mail.yourdomain.com, you only need to enter mail in the Name field. Squarespace automatically adds .yourdomain.com, even though it’s not visible in the panel.
  • If your provider asks you to enter your domain without a value in front of it, like yourdomain.com, enter @ in the Name field. It's not possible to add a CNAME with @ in the Name field.
  • If you receive a “This name record is already in use“ message, you’re adding information to a Name field that’s already in use by another Name field. For example, if you try adding ”www“ to the Name field of a CNAME record and a TXT record, the records won't save. To fix this, consider editing the Name field of the record you're adding so it doesn't conflict.
  • If you're adding an A, AAAA, or ALIAS record and getting an error message, note that these records conflict due to the name field. Ensure that the name field for your A or AAAA record isn't the same as the name field for an ALIAS record.

Check for default nameservers

If you're using custom nameservers instead of the Squarespace defaults, any records you add in Squarespace's DNS settings panel won't apply to your domain. To fix this, reset your domain's nameservers to our defaults.

Error message: Invalid IP address or Name error

These error messages mean the information in the Data field isn’t formatted correctly. If you receive an “Invalid IP address” or “Name error” message, review the Data field to ensure you entered the information correctly. Remove any periods at the end of the value, as our system can't save records formatted this way.

Error message: Custom record not saved. We were unable to save this record because it conflicts with an existing record

This error message means you need to check for conflicting records. You might have the same string of information appearing in multiple places. Review the DNS settings already in place. To fix this, edit or delete the domain's current records. You can also change the custom record you're adding so it doesn't conflict.

To find and delete the conflicting records:

  1. Open your domains dashboard.
  2. Click the domain name. If you have multiple Squarespace domains, you'll manage their DNS records separately.
  3. Click DNS, and then click DNS Settings.
  4. Scroll down to Custom Records.
  5. Review your DNS records for any records that use the same value as the one you’re trying to add.
  6. Hover over the record you want to delete, then click the red trash can.
  7. Click Save to delete the conflicting records from your settings.
  8. Click Add record to add any custom records.
  9. Click Save to add the custom record to your settings. It can take 24 to 48 hours for the nameservers to start working properly.

Can't change the Priority field

You can only edit the Priority field when creating custom MX or SRV records. If you're adding any other type of custom record, the Priority field appears, but you can't click it.

Error message in AAAA records: Not a valid IPv6 address

If you're adding an AAAA record, ensure that you've added the fully expanded version of the IPv6 address to the Data field. You'll know you're using a shortened address if there's a “Not a valid IPv6 address” error in DNS records, or if there's a double colon in the address instead of a single one.

For example, here are both versions of the same IPv6 address:

  • Incorrect, shortened address: 2620:12a:8000::3
  • Correct, expanded address: 2620:12a:8000:0:0:0:0:3

Error message: Enter valid data

There are two reasons this error might happen. Your DNS record is longer than 255 characters, or there's an extra character in a text string.

To fix the issue:

  1. If your DNS records are larger than 255 characters, follow our steps to split the records into shorter text strings. Then, add each string to your DNS settings.
  2. Look for any typos in your DNS settings, and check for any extra characters at the end of the text string. For example, this error can sometimes occur if there's a “.” at the end of a text string. Delete any extra characters and try adding the record again.
  3. If you still have trouble, contact us and we'll investigate.

My TXT or DMARC records are longer than 255 characters

Both TXT and DMARC records have a 255 character limit. To add multiple strings under one DNS record, split the records into smaller strings of characters. You can use a third-party online DNS record splitter tool to automatically do this for you.

Tip: You can add longer DKIM and SPF records without splitting them.

To split any long DNS record manually, you can follow our example below.

Here's a TXT record that's over 255 characters:

v=EXAMPLE; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBabcdefgG9w0ABCDEFGHIJKMIIBCgABCDEFGpABCDFGnA12BzPUV46P3GeOoK2tAB1OCd2iefghi4JkLmnoPQ+EFGnA12BzPUV46P3GeOoK2tAB1OCd2iefghi4JkLi4JkLmnoPQ+3aBc1DEFGHIP12eAB!YJ/ABZfCDmnoPQ+3aBc1DEFGHIP12eAB!YJ/ABZfCDJk2LMNoP12eAB!YJ/ABZfCDuJE4HclTjAjrZkFAAhaHdAAA

To add the TXT record to the DNS settings, break the record into multiple strings that are under 255 characters, as seen below:

v=EXAMPLE1; k=rsa; p=MIIBIjANBabcdefgG9w0ABCDEFGHIJKMIIBCgABCDEFGpABCDFGnA12BzPUV46P3GeOoK2tAB1OCd2iefghi4JkLmnoPQ+EFGnA12BzPUV46P3GeOoK2tAB1OCd2iefghi4JkLi4JkLmnoPQ+3aBc1DEFGHIP12eAB!

YJ/ABZfCDmnoPQ+3aBc1DEFGHIP12eAB!YJ/ABZfCDJk2LMNoP12eAB!YJ/ABZfCDuJE4HclTjAjrZkFAAhaHdAAA

Individually add each TXT record using the steps above, repeating the steps to add the remaining strings of characters.

Get more help

Our scope of support for DNS records is limited. We can help with showing you where to add records to your DNS settings. We can’t provide technical advice about DNS records or information about how DNS records work with other services.

If you need more help, you can get peer-to-peer help in the Domains section of the Squarespace Forum, or contact the service you're trying to connect, using our sample message.

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Troubleshooting issues with DNS records