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 you're seeing when you try to save the record.

Replace placeholder values

When adding a custom record, replace the gray placeholder values in the Host 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 Host field for the correct format

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

• If you’re adding custom records, your domain name is automatically added after any Host value. For example, if your provider asks you to use a Host value of mail.yourdomain.com, you only need to enter mail in the Host 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 Host field.

Note: It’s not possible to enter two CNAMEs with the same Host value.

• If you receive a “This host is already in use" message, you’re adding information to a Host field that’s already in use by another Host field. For example, if you try adding "www" to the Host field of a CNAME record and a TXT record, the records won't save. Your domain can only have one record using "www" as the host. To fix this, consider editing the Host field of the record you're adding so it doesn't conflict.

Error message: Invalid IP address or Host name error

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

Error message: 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. Rreview 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 records that use the same values as the record you’re trying to add to your DNS settings.
6. Hover over the record you want to delete, and 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 add the custom record to your settings. It can take 24 to 72 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 alias 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 DNS records are longer than 255 characters

In most cases, your DNS records have a 255 characters 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.

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. power

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.