Introduction
The Track DNS feature in cPanel allows you to investigate how domain names resolve over the internet by providing tools for DNS lookups and domain tracing. This feature is especially useful for diagnosing DNS issues, email delivery problems, and verifying domain propagation.
This article explains how to use the DNS Lookup and Trace Route tools available in the Track DNS section of cPanel.
What Does Track DNS Do?
Track DNS provides two main tools:
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DNS Lookup – Shows the IP address and DNS records for a domain name
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Trace Route – Displays the network path taken to reach a domain’s server from your hosting server
These tools help you identify whether DNS is resolving correctly and whether any network bottlenecks exist.
How to Access Track DNS in cPanel
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Log in to your cPanel account
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Scroll to the Advanced section
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Click on Track DNS
You will see two tabs or sections: DNS Lookup and Trace Route.
Using DNS Lookup
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Enter the domain name (e.g.,
example.com) in the field -
Click Look Up
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You’ll see details such as:
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Domain’s IP address (A record)
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Canonical name (CNAME)
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Any available DNS record based on server settings
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This helps verify whether a domain points to the correct IP or if records are misconfigured.
Using Trace Route
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Click on the Trace Route tab (or section)
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This automatically begins a trace route from your server to your domain
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The tool shows:
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Each hop along the network path
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Latency (ping time) between hops
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Where delays or failures occur
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This is useful if a domain is slow to load or unreachable, helping identify where in the network the issue is happening.
Common Use Cases
| Scenario | Use Track DNS To… |
|---|---|
| Website not resolving | Use DNS Lookup to confirm A record/IP address |
| Mail delivery issues | Check if MX records resolve correctly |
| Slow site access | Use Trace Route to find network bottlenecks |
| DNS propagation check | See if DNS changes have taken effect |
Tips & Best Practices
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Combine Track DNS with tools like intodns.com or whois.domaintools.com for broader diagnostics
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If DNS Lookup fails, confirm your nameservers and DNS zone records
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For email issues, verify MX and SPF records separately using Email Deliverability tools
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Use Trace Route during low-traffic hours for more accurate diagnostics
Conclusion
The Track DNS feature in cPanel is a valuable troubleshooting tool that helps you monitor and diagnose DNS and network-related issues with your domain. Whether you're dealing with DNS misconfiguration, slow response times, or propagation delays, these built-in tools provide clear visibility into how your domain is performing on the internet.
