MX record

Also known as: Mail Exchanger record, mail routing record

The setting that tells the world which server should receive email sent to your domain — get it wrong and your email simply stops arriving.

What it is

An MX record is the signpost that points incoming email at the right mailbox. When someone emails [email protected], the sender’s system looks up your domain’s MX record to find out which mail server to hand the message to. It’s the difference between mail being delivered and mail bouncing back as undeliverable.

Why it matters to your business

If your MX record is missing, pointed at the wrong place, or left over from an old provider you no longer use, customers and suppliers can email you and the messages quietly vanish or bounce. You don’t get an alert — you just stop hearing from people, and they assume you ignored them. For most businesses, lost email means lost orders, missed enquiries, and a hit to trust. Getting this setting right keeps your inbox reliable.

How to tell / what to do

The free check confirms whether your domain has a working MX record and where it points. If something looks wrong, our MX fix guide explains how to set it to your current email provider. It’s a standard setting at your domain provider and costs nothing.

Want to fix this on your own domain? See the free guide →