If MXToolbox or another tool is reporting that you haven't enabled your DMARC policy, there could be a few reasons for this discrepancy. Here’s a checklist to help you troubleshoot the issue:
Ensure Proper DNS Propagation
DNS Propagation Time: After adding a DMARC record, it can take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. If you just set up the record, give it some time before checking again.
Check Locally: Use command line tools like nslookup or dig to verify that your DMARC record is published from your location:
Using nslookup:
nslookup -type=txt _dmarc.yourdomain.com
Using dig:
dig TXT _dmarc.yourdomain.com
Verify the DMARC Record is Correct
Correct Syntax: Ensure there are no syntax errors in your DMARC record.
Correct Name/Host: The DNS record name should be _dmarc.yourdomain.com (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name).
Correct Value: Double-check the value/content of the DMARC record for any typos or errors:
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com; fo=1; sp=reject; aspf=s;
Check for Multiple DMARC Records
Conflicting Records: Make sure there is only one DMARC record for your domain. If multiple DMARC records exist, it can cause issues and prevent proper recognition.
Clear Cache: If you’ve edited an existing record, DNS cache might still be showing the old version. Clearing your DNS cache or waiting for it to update may resolve this.
Verify DNS Setup with MXToolbox
Check with MXToolbox: After verifying the setup locally, check again with MXToolbox. You can use their DMARC Check Tool to see if the record is detected.
Check with Your DNS Provider
DNS Propagation Issues: Sometimes, issues can arise with how your DNS provider is propagating the records. Contact your DNS provider’s support to ensure the DMARC record is correctly added and propagating as expected.
Test with a Different Tool
Alternative Tools: Use another tool like DMARC Analyzer or Mail-tester to cross-check whether your DMARC record is visible and correctly configured.
Conclusion
If you have confirmed that the DMARC record is set up correctly and it still doesn’t show up in tools like MXToolbox, it’s likely a propagation issue or a caching problem. Give it some time and recheck, or consider contacting your DNS provider for further assistance.
