Troubleshooting Your Custom Domain Problems

Of the many accessories in addition to features inwards Blogger, Custom Domain Publishing is perchance the most problematic.

Looking at the Labels index inwards this blog, I run across the Custom Domains label on 363 posts (as of 2015/06/15) - which makes it 1 of the most heavily labeled unmarried topics here. There are several challenges amongst diagnosing in addition to resolving a custom domain problem.

• It has various dissimilar causes.
• It leads to many dissimilar symptoms, which tin terminate easily last confused for other problems.
• Its symptoms tin terminate last chronic or intermittent- in addition to may last immediate, or may accept months to exhibit themselves.
• It may require resolution yesteryear whatever weblog guest, yesteryear the weblog owner, yesteryear Blogger Support, in addition to / or yesteryear a tertiary political party such every bit the domain registrar.

---

As you lot read this article, click on about of the many links inwards the text, in addition to read the linked articles.

Please intend of this article every bit the rootage chapter inwards a rattling large mass - right now, a mass amongst 363 chapters.

---

How To Use This Guide

• Always start properly, amongst properly setup DNS addresses.
• Verify DNS addresses, using Dig. If whatever incertitude almost Dig results, compare logs from multiple Dig utilities, including a Dig against the authoritative domain server. Possibly 90% of all custom domain problems are caused, straight or indirectly, yesteryear spurious DNS addresses.
  
• If exam of multiple Dig logs shows properly setup DNS addresses, expression at HTTP traces against the BlogSpot in addition to domain URLs.
  
• If neither Dig nor HTTP traces furnish a definitive diagnosis, consider that you lot take away maintain internal database corruption.
• As you lot diagnose your DNS setup, only expression at "A" in addition to "CNAME" records.
• As you lot diagnose in addition to / or laid upward the problem, do non delete the Google Apps administrative desktop account.

These are the known custom domain publishing diagnoses. Here's a brief, 1 line summary of the problems, which are discussed, inwards about detail, further below. Click on whatever one, if it looks promising, to saltation to the especial discussion.

• Domain Purchase Unsuccessful
• Only Name Registration Purchased, No DNS Hosting
• Domain Addresses Not Defined
• Domain Ownership Not Verified
• Non Google DNS server Part Of Configuration
• Domain Addresses Not Properly Chosen
• Domain Previously Registered, And Used In Blogger
• Domain Registration Expired
• Blog Published To Domain, Using Mixed Case URL
• Blog Published To Domain Root, With Asymmetrical DNS
• Domain Redirected To Google Ad Services, Sites, or Start Page URL
• Domain Published, Partially
• Internal Blogger Database Corruption
• The Blog And Domain Are In Transition
• All Issues May Not Be Discussed Here

Domain Purchase Unsuccessful

• The domain volition non last setup. The weblog may, or may not, last published to the domain.
• This volition follow purpose of "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptoms volition vary. We run across both "404 Not Found", in addition to "Another weblog is already hosted at this address", fairly mutual for this problem.
• This volition last an number for newly purchased domains.
• It volition last diagnosed yesteryear purpose of the WhoIs log showing "xxxxxxx.xxx appears to last available", in addition to verified yesteryear examination of the Google Checkout logs, in addition to banking concern line of piece of work organization human relationship ledger entries.
• The weblog possessor to a greater extent than oftentimes than non has to right a occupation amongst his banking concern account, in addition to thence repeat the purchase of the domain.

Only Name Registration Purchased, No DNS Hosting

• The domain volition non last setup, nor the weblog published to the domain.
• This volition follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar.
• The primary symptom volition last the query "What are the DNS servers for Google?", "I demand 2 IP addresses for my domain!", or "I tin terminate simply alter NameServer1, NameServer2 inwards my domain setup!".
• This volition last an number for newly purchased domains.
• It volition last diagnosed yesteryear the stated symptom, amongst the blogger confirming the diagnosis yesteryear checking the registrar's invoice to run across what services were paid for.
• The blogger volition take away maintain to suit for DNS hosting - gratis or paid - but choose the right DNS hosting service. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 gratis third political party DNS hosting service may last useful, inwards this case.

Domain Addresses Not Defined

• The weblog volition non last successfully published to the domain.
• This volition follow domain registration using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last "Another weblog is already hosted at this address", inwards the Settings - Basic - Publishing display.
• This volition occur for novel custom domains.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for both domain URLs.
• Here, the blogger volition last advised to contact Google Apps Support, for whatever domain buy issues.

Domain Ownership Not Verified

• The weblog volition non last successfully published to the domain.
• The primary symptom volition last an "Error 12" or variant (we take away maintain observed "Error 12", "Error 13", "Error 14", in addition to "Error 32", inwards reported diverse forum topics), when using the the Settings - Basic - Publishing wizard.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• This volition occur for novel custom domains - every bit good every bit for mature domain beingness re published.
• This volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for both domain URLs. Base DNS addresses should also last verified, to ensure addresses are properly setup.
• The weblog possessor volition last advised to add together or verify presence of the proper domain ownership verification "CNAME". This may involve adding an updated "CNAME", in addition to / or carefully examining the format of the "CNAME", every bit entered inwards the "Zone Edit" registrar display. Some weblog owners may demand to purpose a gratis third political party DNS hosting service, to allow for registrars who cannot back upward the necessary "CNAME".

Non Google DNS server Part Of Configuration

• The weblog may, or may not, last successfully published to the domain.
• This volition follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar.
• The primary symptom may last "Another weblog is already hosted at this address" (for novel custom domains, inwards the Settings - Basic - Publishing display), or conversely "404 Not Found" (for long existing custom domains, when viewing the blog). The symptoms volition last observed intermittently, when the non Google server is referenced.
• Possible secondary symptoms:
  • Blog feeds, intermittently non redirected from the native BlogSpot URL.
  • Commenting problems.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for the domain root.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear a iv footstep process. For best results, follow this physical care for religiously.
  1. Publish the weblog dorsum to BlogSpot.
  2. Correct the DNS addresses.
  3. Wait for the DNS latency flow to expire. This is important. Failure to consider DNS latency may afterwards Pb to Internal Database Corruption. This flow volition vary, every bit a effect of the TTL setting inwards the "A" / "CNAME" referral.
  4. Republish to the domain URL.

Domain Addresses Not Properly Chosen

• The weblog may, or may not, last successfully published to the domain.
• This volition follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar.
• The primary symptom may last "Another weblog is already hosted at this address" (for novel custom domains, inwards the Settings - Basic - Publishing display), or conversely "404 Not Found" (for long existing custom domains, when viewing the blog).
• Possible secondary symptoms:
  • Blog feeds, unreliably redirected from the native BlogSpot URL.
  • Commenting problems.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for both domain URLs.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear a iv footstep process. For best results, follow this physical care for religiously.
  1. Publish the weblog dorsum to BlogSpot.
  2. Correct the DNS addresses.
  3. Wait for the DNS latency flow to expire. This is important. Failure to consider DNS latency may afterwards Pb to Internal Database Corruption. This flow volition vary, every bit a effect of the TTL setting inwards the "A" / "CNAME" referral.
  4. Republish to the domain URL.

Domain Previously Registered, And Used In Blogger

• A Blogger weblog was successfully published to the domain, at 1 fourth dimension - yesteryear a dissimilar person. It is at nowadays non successfully published.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last "Another weblog ...", when attempting to release / re release the weblog to the domain.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for the BlogSpot, in addition to both domain, URLs.
• It volition last resolved using the Custom Domain Reset form - in addition to much patience yesteryear the electrical flow domain owner.

Domain Registration Expired

• The weblog was successfully published to the domain, at 1 time.
• This may follow domain registration, long agone purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom may last unexpected content, displayed yesteryear the blog. The nature of the unexpected content volition vary.
  1. In most cases, in addition to when the weblog possessor is lucky, the domain volition last dead, or maybe display a page of ads or an "Offsite Warning" interstitial display.
  2. In rare cases, in addition to when the weblog possessor is non lucky, the weblog volition display contents of about other blog, about other website, or an "Offsite Warning" interstitial display.
• It volition last diagnosed using a WhoIs log, which shows choke in addition to final update dates, for the domain.
• There are 2 possible resolutions (see 2 primary symptoms, above, for possible variants).
  1. With the weblog possessor beingness lucky, it is inwards the command of the registrar. After domain registration is renewed, the occupation is resolved yesteryear the iv footstep process. For best results, follow this physical care for religiously.
     1. Publish the weblog dorsum to BlogSpot.
     2. If necessary (and possible), contact the registrar, in addition to renew the registration. Then, correct the DNS addresses.
     3. Wait for the DNS latency flow to expire. This is important. Failure to consider DNS latency may afterwards Pb to Internal Database Corruption. This flow volition vary, every bit a effect of the TTL setting inwards the "A" / "CNAME" referral.
     4. Republish to the domain URL.
  2. If the weblog possessor was non lucky, the domain may at nowadays last inwards the mitt of an unknown party. This volition last a dependent plain for about other article.

Blog Published To Domain, Using Mixed Case URL

• The weblog volition last successfully published to the domain, but volition non last visible from either BlogSpot or domain URLs.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last a "404 Not Found", when attempting to persuasion the weblog using either the BlogSpot or domain URLs.
• This will, typically, occur for novel custom domains, straightaway after the halt of the 3 Day Transition Period.
• It volition last diagnosed using a RexSwain HTTP Trace set, starting from the BlogSpot URL.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear publishing the weblog dorsum to BlogSpot, in addition to thence re publishing to the right URL, using all lower illustration letters.

Blog Published To Domain Root, But Asymmetrical DNS Used

• The weblog volition non last successfully published to the domain.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain" - though "Buy a domain" volition last far to a greater extent than usually seen.
• The primary symptom volition last a "404 Not Found", when attempting to persuasion the weblog using either the BlogSpot or domain URLs - or the alert "Blogs may non last hosted at naked domains." or "Another weblog or Google Site is already using this address.", when trying to publish or re release the weblog to the domain.
• This will, typically, occur for novel custom domains.
• It volition last diagnosed using a RexSwain HTTP Trace set, starting from the BlogSpot URL, in addition to confirmed amongst a hide impress of the Publishing sorcerer display, taken every bit the weblog possessor sees the fault message inwards question.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear publishing to the "www" alias.

Domain Redirected To Google Ad Services, Sites, or Start Page URL

• The weblog volition non last successfully published to the domain.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last "Another weblog is already hosted at this address", inwards the Settings - Basic - Publishing display.
• This volition typically occur for novel custom domains.
• It volition last diagnosed using a RexSwain HTTP Trace, starting from either domain URL.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear deactivating or resetting the Ad Services, Sites, or Start Page service, using Google Apps.

Blog Published Partially, To The Custom Domain URL

• The weblog volition appear successfully published to the domain.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last "404 Not Found", when viewing the weblog using 1 of the domain URLs - in addition to the weblog volition nonetheless last published to the BlogSpot URL.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for the BlogSpot, in addition to both domain, URLs. If each of the inwards a higher house diagnoses are eliminated, 1 yesteryear one, in addition to "404 Not Found" is nonetheless observed, internal database corruption is the simply remaining possibility.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear re publishing the weblog to the domain. This symptom may mask a Service Redirect, or Internal Database Corruption.
• As you lot diagnose the problem, re release the weblog to the domain, in addition to / or recycle the domain settings, delight do non delete the Apps desktop account.

Internal Blogger Database Corruption

• The weblog volition non last successfully published to the domain.
• This may follow domain registration, purchased from a tertiary political party registrar, or using "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last "Another weblog or Google Site ..." / "Key already exists ..." / "code CONFLICT" (or a like phrasing), inwards the Settings - Basic - Publishing display, when attempting to publish or re release a weblog to the domain.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for both domain URLs. If the inwards a higher house diagnoses are all eliminated, 1 yesteryear one, in addition to "Another weblog ..." is nonetheless observed, database corruption is the simply remaining possibility.
• It is typically resolved yesteryear recycling the domain settings inwards Google Apps, in addition to / or purpose of the use of their domain dashboard.
• As you lot diagnose the occupation in addition to / or recycle the domain settings, delight do non delete the Apps desktop account.

The Blog And Domain Are In Transition

• The domain volition last setup - but volition non redirect. The weblog volition last published to the domain URL.
• This volition follow purpose of "Buy a domain".
• The primary symptom volition last seen simply yesteryear the possessor (when properly logged inwards to Blogger). When clicking on the "View Blog" dashboard push / link, the possessor volition run across an "In Transition" display.
• This volition last a temporary issue, for newly purchased domains, successful purchased.
• It volition last diagnosed using an excerpted Dig log, for the BlogSpot, in addition to both domain, URLs.
• It volition become away, when Transition expires, 72 to 96 hours after successful domain buy in addition to registration. The blog, in addition to the domain, volition in addition to thence redirect properly.
• While you lot hold off for Transition to expire, pass fourth dimension reading what you lot volition desire to do, when Transition is complete.

All Issues May Not Be Yet Discussed Here
You could, occasionally, take away maintain a occupation which is non diagnosed inwards this Guide - in addition to inwards that case, delight inquire for help, politely, inwards Blogger Help Forum: Something Is Broken.

Before bespeak for help, you lot tin terminate assist the helpers if you lot take away maintain tried about affinity diagnostics or maybe about differential diagnostics - in addition to if you lot are aware that non all problems may last exclusively caused yesteryear Blogger. And take away maintain about thought how many possibilities exist, for problems.

---

And if it's non also late, read Blogger Magic - How To Setup Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Custom Domain, in addition to Setting Up DNS Addresses For Custom Domains, earlier you lot start.

Share this post