Nov

24

Purchasing a new domain name or switching web hosts can be frustrating. Typically, domain owners wait up to 48 hours for a domain’s name servers to propagate across the internet. During this time the domain is either inaccessible or resolving to the old web host. To make matters more frustrating, website visitors may receive the new domain information before the domain owner; creating situations where visitors may see a non-functioning website.

Thankfully, this annoying wait time is a thing of the past. OpenDNS, a free DNS provider, offers a service that allows users to clear OpenDNS’ cache on a particular domain name, thus eliminating the propagation time for all OpenDNS users. The directions that follow will explain how to use this service.


Step 1: Change Your DNS Servers to OpenDNS

The first step is to change your DNS servers to OpenDNS. OpenDNS provides directions for just about every internet connection, so I recommend following their setup directions. Keep in mind, if you’re behind a VPN or using free WiFi at a place like Panera, you may be unable to change your DNS settings. After following OpenDNS’ directions, visit their welcome page to verify you are utilizing OpenDNS’ servers.

Step 2: Use CacheCheck to View Current Cache Information

Once you’re on OpenDNS’ servers, you can now use OpenDNS to flush your domain’s cache. To do this, we need to first view your domain’s current cache information. Simply navigate over to OpenDNS’ CacheCheck page, enter in your domain name, fill out an annoying captcha, and click ‘Check this domain’.

OpenDNS CacheCheck

Step 3: Interpret Your Current Cache Information

You should now be presented with a page displaying OpenDNS’ cache information on your domain. If this is a new domain, most likely the server results are showing a red ‘NXDOMAIN’ message. This means OpenDNS has no information on your domain. If you’re switching web hosts, more than likely your old host’s name servers are listed here.

If OpenDNS’ cache information is showing name servers for a new domain, or your new name servers for a web host switch, you’re done! Although, performing the last step won’t hurt.

OpenDNS CacheCheck Results

Step 4: Refresh OpenDNS’ Cache

Now that you know the state of your domain name on OpenDNS, you can finally perform a cache refresh. This is the hardest step of all. Simply scroll down past the server information and click the ‘Refresh the cache’ button. The page should reload, and with a little luck, your new name server information should be displayed. If the ‘NXDOMAIN’ message remains or your old name servers are still displaying, just wait a few minutes and try again.

You should now be done. Just load your domain in your web browser of choice. If for some reason you’re still seeing your old web host, close your browser and restart it. You may still have the old name servers cached locally.

Other than that, enjoy, and be thankful you didn’t wait the typically 48 hours for your domain to propagate.

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