Guides

How to add MX records for a new domain

MX records tell other servers where to deliver mail for your domain. You need to set them as soon as you add email to a new domain or move it to a new provider. Get them wrong and messages simply never reach you.

1. Decide where mail will be handled

   It is one of two choices: mail on the cPanel server itself (local) or with an external provider like Google Workspace or Zoho. This choice drives both the MX records and the routing.

2. Open Zone Editor

   In cPanel, under Domains, open Zone Editor for the domain - that is where you view and edit all MX records.

3. For local mail, keep MX on mail.yourdomain

   If mail lives on this server, you need one MX record with priority 0 pointing to mail.yourdomain.com. cPanel usually creates it automatically.

4. For external mail, enter the provider's MX

   Delete the old MX records and add your provider's records with their priorities (for example, several Google MX entries with different numbers). Take the exact values from the provider's guide.

5. Set Email Routing to match

   Under Email, open Email Routing. Choose Local Mail Exchanger for local mail and Remote Mail Exchanger for external. A mismatch here breaks delivery.

6. Keep only the MX set you need

   Do not mix the local server's MX with an external provider's at the same time. Extra records scatter your mail between two systems.

How to verify the result

After a few minutes, check the domain in the TechGuard email checker - it shows the MX records found and whether they are consistent.

Tip: The most common mistake is external MX with Email Routing left on Local, so the server swallows your mail itself.

Related guides

• How to set up an SPF record in cPanel
• How to add a DKIM signature for your domain
• How to set up DMARC starting with p=none
• What to do when your emails land in spam