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Troubleshooting Short Domains

Solutions to common problems when connecting and using custom domains (user zones) in Snipzr.

Domain Verification Issues​

Problem: Domain Verification Fails​

Symptoms:

  • Verification status shows "Failed" or "Pending" for over 24 hours
  • Error message: "Could not verify domain ownership"

Possible Causes:

  1. DNS records not properly configured
  2. DNS propagation still in progress
  3. Cloudflare proxy enabled (should be off)
  4. Typo in DNS records

Solutions:

1. Check DNS Records​

Verify your records are correct:

# Check CNAME record
dig CNAME go.yourdomain.com

# Alternative tool
nslookup go.yourdomain.com

Expected results:

  • CNAME should point to ark.snipzr.com

2. Wait for DNS Propagation​

DNS changes can take time:

  • Typical: 15-30 minutes
  • Maximum: 48 hours

Check propagation globally:

3. Cloudflare Users: Disable Proxy​

If using Cloudflare:

  1. Go to DNS settings
  2. Find your CNAME record
  3. Click the orange cloud to make it gray
  4. Save changes

Important: Must be "DNS only" (gray cloud), not "Proxied" (orange cloud)

4. Check for Typos​

Common mistakes:

  • ❌ Wrong subdomain: go.yourdomain.com vs goo.yourdomain.com
  • ❌ Wrong target: ark.snipzr.com vs redirect.snipzr.link

5. Clear DNS Cache​

Clear your local DNS cache:

# macOS
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

# Windows
ipconfig /flushdns

# Linux (systemd)
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

# Linux (nscd)
sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart

6. Contact Support​

If verification fails after 48 hours:

  • Contact support
  • Include your domain name
  • Attach screenshot of DNS records

SSL Certificate Issues​

Problem: SSL Not Provisioning​

Symptoms:

  • Domain verified but SSL status shows "Provisioning" for over 24 hours
  • SSL status shows "Failed"

Possible Causes:

  1. DNS not fully propagated globally
  2. Rate limits hit (rare)

Solutions:

1. Wait for Global Propagation​

Even if DNS works locally, it needs to propagate worldwide:

  • Check multiple global DNS servers
  • SSL provisioning requires global propagation
  • Wait 24-48 hours

2. Contact Support​

If SSL fails after 48 hours:

Symptoms:

  • Custom domain links show 404 error
  • Links don't redirect to destination
  • Browser shows "Page not found"

Checklist:

1. Verify Domain Status​

Check in Snipzr dashboard:

  • ✅ Domain status: "Active" (blue icon)

2. Check DNS Resolution​

# Should resolve to Snipzr IP
dig go.yourdomain.com

# Or
nslookup go.yourdomain.com

3. Test from Different Networks​

  • Try from different device
  • Try from mobile data (not WiFi)
  • Try from incognito/private browser
  • Try after clearing cache
  • Go to Snipzr dashboard
  • Check link actually exists in that zone
  • Verify slug spelling
  • Check link is enabled (not disabled)

5. Check for Typos​

❌ Wrong: go.yourdomain.com/sa1e
✅ Correct: go.yourdomain.com/sale

DNS Configuration Problems​

Problem: "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN"​

What it means: Browser can't find your domain - DNS record doesn't exist.

Solutions:

  1. Verify DNS Record Created

    • Log into DNS provider
    • Check CNAME record exists
    • Verify it's not disabled

  2. Check Record Name

    ✅ Correct: go (for go.yourdomain.com)
    ❌ Wrong: go.yourdomain.com

  3. Wait for Propagation

  4. Flush Local Cache (see above commands)

Problem: DNS Points to Wrong Server​

Symptoms:

  • Domain resolves but shows different website
  • Links redirect to unexpected place

Solutions:

  1. Check CNAME Target

    dig CNAME go.yourdomain.com

    Should show: ark.snipzr.com

  2. Remove Conflicting Records

    • Check for multiple records with same name
    • Remove old/unused records
    • Keep only the Snipzr CNAME

  3. Check Cloudflare Settings

    • Page Rules might interfere
    • Workers might intercept requests
    • Disable proxying (gray cloud)

Domain Management Issues​

Problem: Can't Edit or Delete Domain​

Symptoms:

  • "Delete" button not available
  • Can't change domain settings
  • Error when trying to modify

Solutions:

  1. Check Permissions

    • Verify you're the account owner

  2. Active Links

    • Can't delete domain with active links
    • Move or delete all links first
    • Then delete domain

  3. Default Domain

    • Can't delete default domain
    • Set another domain as default first

  4. Zone created recently

    • Zones deletion cooldown is in effect

Problem: Domain Shows "Pending" Forever​

Symptoms:

  • Added domain days ago
  • Still shows "Pending" status
  • Can't verify or use

Solutions:

  1. Delete and Re-add

    • Remove the pending domain
    • Wait 5 minutes
    • Add it again fresh

  2. Contact Support

    • Provide domain name
    • Include date added

Performance Issues​

Problem: Slow Redirects​

Symptoms:

  • Links take long to redirect
  • Noticeable delay before destination loads

Possible Causes:

  1. DNS resolution slow
  2. Destination server slow
  3. Network issues

Solutions:

  1. Optimize DNS

    • Use faster DNS provider (Cloudflare, Route 53)
    • Lower TTL for faster updates (but not too low)

  2. Check Destination

    • Test destination URL directly
    • Slow destination = slow redirect perception

  3. Geographic Issues

    • Test from different locations
    • Snipzr uses global CDN

Problem: Intermittent Availability​

Symptoms:

  • Links work sometimes, fail other times
  • Different behavior on different networks

Solutions:

  1. Check DNS TTL

    • Very low TTL can cause issues
    • Recommended: 300-3600 seconds

  2. ISP DNS Issues

    • Try using public DNS (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1)
    • ISP DNS might be caching wrong data

Common Error Messages​

"Invalid domain format"​

Cause:

  • Domain format doesn't meet requirements
  • Special characters or invalid TLD

Solution:

  • Use alphanumeric and hyphens only
  • Check for typos
  • Ensure valid TLD (.com, .net, etc.)

"This domain is already connected"​

Cause:

  • Domain already connected to another Snipzr account

Solution:

  1. Prove ownership to transfer

"DNS verification failed"​

See "Domain Verification Issues" section above.

Getting Additional Help​

Before Contacting Support​

Gather this information:

  1. Domain name
  2. DNS provider
  3. Error messages (screenshot)
  4. Steps already tried
  5. DNS record screenshots

How to Contact​

Email: support@snipzr.com

Include:

  • Clear description of problem
  • Domain name
  • Screenshots
  • Results from DNS checks

DNS Diagnostic Commands​

Run these and include results:

# Basic DNS check
dig go.yourdomain.com

# Trace DNS path
dig +trace go.yourdomain.com

# Check from specific DNS server
dig @8.8.8.8 go.yourdomain.com

# All record types
dig ANY go.yourdomain.com

Preventive Measures​

Setup Checklist​

Before connecting domain:

  • Have DNS access
  • Know your DNS provider
  • Domain has proper nameservers
  • No conflicting records
  • Cloudflare proxy disabled (if using)
  • 24-48 hours available for propagation

Best Practices​

  1. Document Everything

    • Keep record of DNS settings
    • Screenshot configurations
    • Note verification tokens

  2. Test Thoroughly

    • Test from multiple devices
    • Test from different networks
    • Test in incognito mode

  3. Monitor Regularly

    • Check domain status weekly
    • Verify SSL certificate not expiring
    • Monitor link analytics

  4. Maintain Access

    • Keep DNS provider credentials secure
    • Enable 2FA on DNS provider
    • Document renewal dates

Still having issues? We're here to help!