How to Troubleshoot Domain Issues Using Linux, macOS, and Windows

Pre-requirements

• Administrator access to cPanel or Plesk for your hosting account.
• Access to your computer’s command line (Linux/macOS Terminal or Windows Command Prompt).
• Basic knowledge of DNS, IP addresses, and hosting configurations.

Introduction

Experiencing connectivity issues with your domain? This guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot domain issues using cPanel, Plesk, and command-line tools on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Whether the problem is DNS resolution or network path issues, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions.

Quick Commands for Linux/macOS and Windows

Linux/macOS:

• Ping the Domain: ping example_domain.com
• Check DNS Resolution: dig example_domain.com
• Clear DNS Cache (macOS only): sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
• Traceroute: traceroute example_domain.com

Windows:

• Ping the Domain: ping example_domain.com
• Check DNS Resolution: nslookup example_domain.com
• Clear DNS Cache: ipconfig /flushdns
• Traceroute: tracert example_domain.com

Using cPanel to Troubleshoot the Issue

1. Log into cPanel: Navigate to your cPanel login page (e.g., https://example_domain.com:2083) and enter your credentials.
2. Check DNS Zone: Go to Domains > Zone Editor, and verify that the IP address for the domain is correct.
3. Clear DNS Cache: On your local machine, clear the DNS cache to ensure you're viewing the latest DNS changes.
4. Verify htaccess File: Use the File Manager in cPanel to check the .htaccess file for any incorrect redirects or rules.
5. Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact our support team for further assistance.

Using Plesk to Troubleshoot the Issue

1. Log into Plesk: Navigate to your Plesk login page (e.g., https://example_domain.com:8443) and enter your credentials.
2. Check DNS Settings: Go to Websites & Domains and verify the DNS settings for the domain.
3. Clear Browser Cache: On your local machine, clear your browser cache to ensure you're viewing the latest version of the site.
4. Verify Hosting Settings: Check the Hosting Settings for the domain to ensure there are no misconfigurations.
5. Utilize Plesk Repair Utility: Run the Plesk repair utility from the command line using the command plesk repair web.
6. Contact Support: If you're still experiencing issues, reach out to our support team for help.

Additional Troubleshooting: Using Command Line Tools

If the problem persists after using cPanel or Plesk, you can further investigate the issue with command-line tools available on your operating system.

Linux/macOS Commands

1. Ping the Domain: Run the following command to check if the domain is reachable:

   ping example_domain.com

2. Check DNS Resolution: Use the dig command to verify the DNS resolution for your domain:

   dig example_domain.com

3. Clear DNS Cache (macOS only): To ensure you're getting fresh DNS results, clear the DNS cache using:

   sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

4. Traceroute: To check the network path between your device and the server, run:

   traceroute example_domain.com

   Note that this will work if the machine permits this utility.

Windows Commands

1. Ping the Domain: Open Command Prompt and run the following command to check if the domain is reachable:

   ping example_domain.com

2. Check DNS Resolution: Use the nslookup command to check DNS resolution:

   nslookup example_domain.com

3. Clear DNS Cache: To refresh the DNS cache, run the following command in Command Prompt:

   ipconfig /flushdns

4. Traceroute: Check the network path with the following command:

   tracert example_domain.com

Gotchas to Avoid

• DNS Propagation Time: Remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally. Be patient and verify after propagation.
• Local DNS Caching: Ensure that you've cleared your DNS cache on your local machine before testing domain access.
• Incorrect DNS Settings: Double-check DNS records for accuracy, including A, CNAME, and NS records.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve domain connectivity issues, whether you're using cPanel, Plesk, or command-line tools. Proper DNS configuration, cache clearing, and checking the network path are essential troubleshooting steps. If you're unable to resolve the issue, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further investigation and assistance.

For more in-depth tutorials on DNS troubleshooting and web hosting configurations, visit our Knowledge Base.