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Understanding MX Records: How to Configure Domain Email Across Different Hosting Providers

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

Understanding MX Records: How to Configure Domain Email Across Different Hosting Providers

**Description:**A comprehensive guide explaining what MX records are, how they work, how to find the correct records for your email service, and how to update them via various domain registrars. This guide is tailored for shared hosting customers using Brixly’s hosting services, but the principles apply to all major providers.

What Are MX Records?

MX (Mail Exchanger) records are special DNS (Domain Name System) records that direct email messages for your domain to the correct mail servers. When someone sends an email to you@yourdomain.com, MX records tell the internet which mail server should receive it.

Key Points:

  • MX records are essential for email delivery.
  • Your domain can have multiple MX records for redundancy.
  • Each MX record has a priority (lower numbers = higher priority).

How MX Records Work

When an email is sent to your domain:

  1. The sending mail server looks up your domain’s MX records.
  2. It tries to deliver the message to the mail server with the highest priority (lowest number).
  3. If that server isn’t available, it tries the next one.

Example MX Record:

Priority: 10
Server: mail.yourdomain.com

Locating the Correct MX Records for Your Email Service

The MX records you need depend on your email hosting provider:

  • **Using Brixly Email:**Typically, your MX record will point to your server’s hostname or a specific mail server provided in your welcome email or cPanel.
  • **Using Third-Party Providers (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365):**You’ll obtain MX records from your email provider’s documentation or dashboard.

How to Find Your Current MX Records

You can check your domain’s MX records using:

  • **cPanel:**Go to Zone Editor → Manage for your domain. Look for entries with type MX.

  • Online Tools:MXToolbox MX Lookup

  • Command Line (Advanced):

    nslookup -type=mx yourdomain.com

How to Update MX Records

Step 1: Gather the Correct MX Records

  • If using Brixly, check your cPanel Email Routing or welcome email.
  • If using a third-party service, copy the provider’s MX records (e.g., from Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 setup guides).

Step 2: Log Into Your Domain Registrar or DNS Host

Your DNS may be managed:

  • At your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap)
  • Or via your hosting provider’s cPanel (if using Brixly nameservers)

Step 3: Update MX Records

If Using cPanel (Brixly Nameservers):

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to Domains → Zone Editor.
  3. Click Manage next to your domain.
  4. Locate existing MX records.
    • Edit or Delete old records if needed.
    • Click Add Record → Select MX.
  5. Enter the new MX record details:
    • Priority: As specified by your provider.
    • Destination: The mail server hostname (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com or a provider’s address).

Example:

Priority: 10
Destination: mail.yourdomain.com
  1. Save your changes.

If Using a Domain Registrar’s DNS Panel:

  1. Log in to your registrar’s dashboard.
  2. Navigate to your domain’s DNS management area.
  3. Locate and update the MX records as above.

> Tip: Remove any old MX records not required by your current email provider to avoid delivery issues.

Example: Setting Up Google Workspace MX Records

Google Workspace provides these MX records (as of June 2025):

Priority Mail Server
1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
5 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
5 ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
10 ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.
10 ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

Add each record in your DNS zone as shown above.

Troubleshooting Common MX Record Issues

Email Not Being Delivered

  • Propagation: DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to update globally.
  • Conflicting MX Records: Only use the records for your active provider.
  • Incorrect Priority: Lower numbers mean higher priority.
  • Wrong DNS Host: Ensure you’re updating DNS where your nameservers point.

How to Test Your MX Records

  • Use MXToolbox to check if your MX records are correct.
  • Send a test email to verify delivery.

Still Having Issues?

  • Double-check that all other email-related DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are set up if required.
  • Ensure your email accounts are created in your hosting control panel or email provider’s dashboard.
  • Verify that Email Routing in cPanel is set to the correct option:
    • Local Mail Exchanger: For mail hosted with Brixly.
    • Remote Mail Exchanger: For third-party email (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).

Useful Tools and Further Resources

  • cPanel Zone Editor: Manage DNS records for domains on Brixly nameservers.
  • File Manager: For advanced users needing to access mail directories (not usually required for MX changes).
  • MXToolbox: Check MX Records
  • Brixly Knowledge Base: Email Hosting Guides

Summary

  • MX records control where your domain’s email is delivered.
  • Always ensure you have the correct MX records for your email provider.
  • Update MX records via cPanel or your domain registrar’s DNS management panel.
  • Allow up to 24 hours for DNS propagation.
  • Use testing tools and follow troubleshooting steps to resolve issues.

If you need further assistance, please submit a support ticket via your Brixly client area with details of your domain and current MX records. Our team is here to help!