Troubleshooting Shopify domain and DNS issues requires verifying your DNS settings, ensuring proper record configuration, and allowing sufficient time for propagation. Most problems stem from incorrect A records, CNAME misconfigurations, or delays in DNS updates across global servers. The process involves checking your domain host’s settings, correcting any errors, and monitoring propagation status.

• Primary causes: Incorrect A records (must point to Shopify’s IP: 23.227.38.65 or 23.227.38.72), missing or misconfigured CNAME records for "www" subdomains, and DNSSEC/CAA record conflicts ^[5][9].
• Propagation delays: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate, though most resolve within 24 hours ^[3][8].
• Common fixes: Delete conflicting DNS records, verify SSL certificate status, and reset DNS settings if errors persist ^[4][7].
• Advanced issues: Frozen domains or persistent errors may require contacting Shopify’s Authenticated Support or temporarily using an alternative domain ^[6].

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Shopify Domain and DNS Issues

Verifying and Correcting DNS Records

DNS issues in Shopify typically arise when your domain’s A or CNAME records are misconfigured or missing. Start by accessing your domain provider’s DNS settings (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare) and comparing them against Shopify’s requirements. The A record must point to Shopify’s IP address, while the CNAME record for "www" must direct to shops.myshopify.com.

• A Record Configuration:
• Set the host field to @ (or leave blank, depending on your provider).
• Enter the IP address as 23.227.38.65 or 23.227.38.72 (both are valid Shopify IPs) ^[5].
• Delete any duplicate or conflicting A records, as these can cause connection failures ^[4].
• CNAME Record Configuration:
• Set the host field to www.
• Enter the value as shops.myshopify.com ^[5].
• Ensure no other CNAME records exist for the same subdomain.
• Additional Records:
• CAA records: If present, ensure they allow Shopify’s certificate authority (e.g., letsencrypt.org or digicert.com) ^[9].
• DNSSEC: Disable DNSSEC temporarily if errors persist, as misconfigurations can block DNS resolution ^[8].

After updating records, save changes and wait up to 48 hours for propagation. Use tools like DNS Checker to verify global propagation status ^[3]. If the domain still doesn’t connect, proceed to the next steps.

Resolving Persistent Errors and Advanced Issues

If your domain remains unconnected after 48 hours or shows errors like "DNSPROBEFINISHED_NXDOMAIN," deeper troubleshooting is required. These issues often stem from cached records, SSL pending status, or conflicts with third-party services like Cloudflare.

• SSL Certificate Issues:
• Shopify automatically provisions SSL certificates for connected domains, but delays can occur.
• Check the SSL status in Shopify’s Domains section under Settings. If stuck on "Pending," wait 24–48 hours or contact Shopify Support ^[4].
• Clear your browser cache and test the domain in incognito mode to rule out local caching issues ^[7].
• Domain Propagation and Caching:
• Use dig or nslookup commands to confirm DNS resolution:
• Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and run:

nslookup yourdomain.com

• If the output doesn’t match Shopify’s IP, propagation is incomplete ^[2].
• Flush your local DNS cache:
• Windows: ipconfig /flushdns
• Mac: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache ^[7].
• Third-Party Conflicts:
• If using Cloudflare, temporarily pause the proxy (disable the orange cloud icon) to test direct DNS resolution ^[7].
• For frozen domains, Shopify may require manual intervention. Submit a support ticket via the Authenticated Support Team and provide:
• Domain name
• Screenshot of DNS settings
• Error messages received ^[6].
• Workarounds for Critical Issues:
• Purchase a temporary domain (e.g., via Shopify or a third-party registrar) to restore store accessibility while resolving the primary domain ^[6].
• If DNS issues persist beyond 72 hours, consider transferring the domain to a different registrar, as some providers have slower update times ^[9].

For domains showing "needs attention" in Shopify, revisit the Domains section in Settings and click "Reconnect" to trigger a fresh verification attempt ^[3]. If all else fails, Shopify’s support team can escalate the issue to their DNS specialists.