Domain Name Search Bulk Search Domain Name Transfer AI Domain Suggest New Domain Extensions Domain Privacy Whois
Web Security Suite
Managed WordPress Hosting Jetpack for WordPress
Plesk Web Hosting SitePad WebSite Builder
Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 Business Microsoft 365 Enterprise
SSL Certificates InstantSSL DV Multi-domain SSL (SAN) Globalsign SSL
Email Cloud Suite Branded Email Address Collaboration Tools Advanced Email Security
DNS Services Anycast DNS Premium Anycast DNS HTTPS Redirect
Business Solutions Domain Blocking Solutions TMCH Reseller
EuroDNS Blog
close
Support WebsiteContact usTel:+352 263 725 200Terms and Conditions

6 DNS Commands You Need to Know

DNS is the internet’s address book. When something breaks or behaves unexpectedly a few simple command-line checks can save time and help you quickly identify whether the issue is DNS, hosting, or network-related.

If you’re new to DNS fundamentals, this guide pairs well with DNS records explained.


When these commands are most useful

  • You’ve updated DNS records and want to confirm what’s live.
  • Email isn’t working and you need to validate MX or TXT records.
  • A website loads for some users but not others.
  • You’re troubleshooting a suspected outage.
DNS Settings can be accessed through your Plesk web hosting portal

A reliable DNS setup helps reduce these issues. Learn more about EuroDNS DNS services.

 

1) dig: the most powerful DNS lookup tool

dig (Domain Information Groper) queries DNS records directly and shows detailed responses, making it ideal for troubleshooting propagation, TTL values, and record mismatches.

Examples 

dig example.com
dig MX example.com
dig TXT example.com

Query a specific resolver 

dig example.com @1.1.1.1
dig example.com @8.8.8.8

2) nslookup: fast DNS checks on most systems

nslookup is widely available and useful for quick checks when dig isn’t installed.

nslookup example.com
nslookup -type=MX example.com

3) whois: check domain ownership and expiry

whois shows domain registration data such as registrar, status, and expiration date: useful when diagnosing sudden website or email issues.

whois example.com

You can also use the browser-based EuroDNS WHOIS search.

Domain expiry is a common cause of downtime. Learn why it matters in this guide to missed domain renewals.

4) ping: test reachability

ping checks whether a host responds on the network. While it’s not a DNS diagnostic tool on its own, it helps distinguish DNS issues from connectivity problems.

ping example.com

Note: Some servers block ping requests for security reasons, so a failed response doesn’t always mean the site is down.

5) traceroute / tracert: trace the network path

These commands show the path traffic takes to reach a destination, helping you identify where delays or failures occur.

traceroute example.com
tracert example.com

6) host: simple and readable DNS lookups

host provides clean, easy-to-read DNS responses and is useful for quick validations.

host example.com
host -t MX example.com

When DNS commands aren’t enough

DNS results can vary due to caching, TTL values, or resolver location. If results seem inconsistent:

  • Test multiple public resolvers.
  • Wait for cache expiration.
  • Confirm records in your DNS provider dashboard.

EuroDNS offers Anycast DNS and Premium Anycast DNS for improved reliability and performance.

Best practices for DNS troubleshooting

  • Check the correct record type for the issue.
  • Document every change you make.
  • Restrict access to domain management tools.
  • Enable DNSSEC when appropriate.

For more security guidance, see domain security best practices and how DNSSEC protects your domain.

Next steps

  1. Secure your domain using the EuroDNS domain name search.
  2. Check multiple ideas with Bulk domain search.
  3. Improve performance and resilience with EuroDNS DNS services.

     

Note: Command availability and output may vary by operating system. Always test changes carefully on production systems.