Why is my domain validation not working?
Domain validation not working in SendFox? Most failures come from DNS propagation delays, host-column quirks, proxied records, or stale CNAME entries. Here's how to fix each cause.
Common causes and fixes
1. The DNS changes haven't taken effect yet
DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate, depending on your provider. Wait, then click Validate again. SendFox shows the specific record that failed under each CNAME row on the validate page — fix only what's flagged.
2. Your host auto-appends your domain to the Host field
DreamHost, NameCheap, Google, GoDaddy, and some other providers require the Host without your domain (e.g. sendfox instead of sendfox.yourdomain.com). See validating with DreamHost, NameCheap, Google, or GoDaddy.
3. The records are proxied (Cloudflare)
If your DNS is on Cloudflare, set each of the three CNAME records to DNS only (gray cloud), not Proxied. Proxied records can't be verified.
4. A value was mistyped
Use the copy buttons next to each Host and Data value on the validate page instead of typing them by hand, and make sure no extra spaces were pasted in.
5. The records went stale
Domains that stay unvalidated for around 30 days may need fresh records. If you see "This domain's DNS records are no longer available. Please delete and re-add the domain to get fresh records." — do exactly that: delete the domain, add it again, and copy the new CNAME values into your DNS.
6. "Please try again in a couple of hours."
The validation service couldn't be reached — this is temporary. Try again later; your DNS records don't need changing.
7. "Sorry, this domain is unavailable."
The domain is already validated by another SendFox account. If you own the domain, contact the SendFox team at support@sendfox.com.
Still stuck?
- Some DNS providers don't let you add CNAME records on certain plans or domain types — ask your provider how to add CNAME entries.
- Double-check the full setup against how do I validate my domain?
- If nothing works, email support@sendfox.com with your domain name and a screenshot of your DNS records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before retrying?
Up to 24 hours after changing DNS records, though many providers propagate within minutes.
Two records validate but one fails — why?
Each CNAME is checked separately, and the failing one is flagged on the validate page. Usually the failed record has a Host-column issue or a typo — fix just that record and validate again.
Do I ever need to revalidate?
If you change DNS hosts or delete the records, validation can break — the Revalidate button on the Email domains page re-checks your records anytime.