Fix DNS Issues After WordPress Migration: Complete Guide

You’ve just migrated your WordPress site. That’s a sweet victory, right? But then you notice your site’s throwing tantrums like a toddler who missed naptime.

Pages are not loading, there are weird redirects, or there are straight-up “server not found” errors. Classic DNS issues post-migration. Before you spiral into the digital abyss, take a breath. This guide’s got your back.

What’s Actually Happening With Your DNS?

When you migrate your WordPress site, you’re essentially changing your website’s digital address. Your DNS (Domain Name System) needs time to recognize this change—like the internet’s GPS recalculating your route.

The DNS propagation process isn’t instant. It’s more like telling everyone at a party you’ve moved—some people get the memo right away, others take their sweet time. This delay is what causes those annoying “site not found” errors after migration.

The Technical Side (Without the Headache)

DNS works by translating your domain name (yoursite.com) into an IP address (like 192.168.1.1) that computers understand. During migration, you’re telling DNS servers worldwide to point your domain to a new IP address. This update can take anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours to fully propagate.

Common DNS Issues After WordPress Migration

1. The Dreaded “Site Not Found” Error

You type in your URL and get… nothing. This usually means your DNS records haven’t been updated yet, or they’re pointing to the wrong place entirely.

Quick Fix: First, check if your DNS records have been properly configured at your domain registrar. Ensure the nameservers or A records point to your new host. If they’re correct, sometimes the solution is just patience—wait for propagation to complete.

2. Mixed Content Warnings

Your site loads, but with security warnings or missing images. The classic symptom of a half-baked migration.

Quick Fix: This typically happens when your site URL still contains HTTP instead of HTTPS (or vice versa) in some places. Check your WordPress settings and update your site URL and home URL to match your new configuration.

3. Redirect Loops

You’re stuck in digital purgatory—your browser keeps redirecting in an endless loop.

Quick Fix: This often happens when your WordPress configuration and server configuration are conflicting. Check your .htaccess file for redirect rules that might clash with your WordPress settings.

Your Step-by-Step DNS Fix Toolkit

Step 1: Verify Your DNS Configuration

First things first—let’s make sure you’ve got the right settings.

1. Log into your domain registrar account (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
2. Navigate to DNS management
3. Check that your nameservers match what your new host provided
4. If using A records, verify they point to your new server’s IP address

Pro Tip: Take screenshots before making any changes. Your future self will thank you if you need to revert.

Step 2: Clear Local DNS Cache

Your computer keeps its own little DNS phonebook that needs updating:

For Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter
3. You’ll see “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”

For Mac:

1. Open Terminal
2. For macOS Monterey or newer, type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
3. Enter your password when prompted

Step 3: Update WordPress Configuration

Make sure WordPress itself knows about its new home:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard
2. Go to Settings > General
3. Update both “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)”
4. Save changes

If you can’t access your dashboard, you can update these settings in your wp-config.php file by adding:

define('WP_HOME','https://yournewdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL','https://yournewdomain.com');

Step 4: Check Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file can make or break your site’s accessibility:

1. Connect to your site via FTP
2. Download the .htaccess file (it’s usually in your root directory)
3. Look for any hardcoded references to your old domain
4. Update them to your new domain or remove them if unnecessary
5. Upload the modified file

Step 5: Fix SSL Configuration

If you’re using HTTPS (and you should be), ensure your SSL certificate is properly installed:

1. Check if your new host has automatically installed SSL
2. If not, install SSL through your hosting control panel or a service like Let’s Encrypt
3. Once installed, force HTTPS by adding this to your wp-config.php:

define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

Using Online DNS Lookup Tools

Sometimes you need to see what the world sees:

1. Visit a DNS propagation checker like whatsmydns.net
2. Enter your domain name
3. Check how your DNS is resolving across different global servers

This tells you if the problem is global or just on your end.

Temporary Hosts File Modification

Can’t wait for propagation? This workaround lets you access your site immediately:

For Windows:

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
2. Open the “hosts” file with Administrator privileges in Notepad
3. Add a line: your.server.ip.address yourdomain.com
4. Save changes

For Mac/Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Type sudo nano /etc/hosts
3. Add a line: your.server.ip.address yourdomain.com
4. Save with Ctrl+O, then Exit with Ctrl+X

Remember: This only works on your computer. Remove these entries once propagation completes.

Preventing Future DNS Headaches

Set Lower TTL Values Before Migration

Time-To-Live (TTL) tells DNS servers how long to cache your records. Lower this value before migration:

1. Log into your domain registrar
2. Find TTL settings for your domain (usually under advanced DNS)
3. Set to the lowest allowed value (often 300 seconds/5 minutes)
4. Wait out the current TTL period
5. Proceed with migration

This ensures faster propagation when you make the actual change.

Document Everything

Create a migration checklist that includes:

• Current DNS settings
• Server IP addresses
• Nameservers
• SSL certificate details
• WordPress configuration

Having this info at hand makes troubleshooting infinitely easier.

When All Else Fails

Sometimes you need backup:

1. Contact your hosting provider’s support
2. Reach out to your domain registrar
3. Consider temporarily pointing to your old server while troubleshooting
4. Use a service like Cloudflare as a DNS intermediary

Final Thoughts

DNS issues post-migration are like bad weather—inevitable but temporary. The key is preparation and patience. Most issues are resolved within 24-48 hours as propagation completes.

Remember that even the most experienced developers face these challenges. The difference is in how quickly you identify and address the root cause.

Have you faced a particularly challenging WordPress migration? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your war stories and how you conquered them.

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This guide was last updated on February 28, 2025, to reflect the most current WordPress and DNS management practices.