MX records are DNS records that tell the internet where to deliver email for your domain. If someone sends a message to hello@yourbusiness.ca, the sending mail system checks your domain’s MX records to find the mail servers that should receive it.
MX stands for Mail Exchanger. You do not need to use that phrase in daily business, but you do need to be careful with the record. Changing MX records can affect every email address on the domain.
MX Records Do Not Host Your Email
An MX record is an instruction, not a mailbox.
Your email is stored by your email provider. The MX record points incoming mail to that provider. If the record points to Microsoft 365, incoming mail goes there. If it points to another email host, mail goes there instead.
That means your website can be hosted in one place while your email is handled somewhere else. Website DNS records and email DNS records often sit beside each other, but they do different jobs.
What an MX Record Looks Like
An MX record usually includes:
- Type: MX
- Name or host
- Mail server or value
- Priority
- TTL
The exact values depend on your email provider. A typical DNS table may show something like this:
| Type | Name | Value | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX | @ | mail.example-provider.com | 0 |
The @ usually means the root domain, such as yourbusiness.ca. Some DNS systems use a blank host field instead. Follow the format used by your DNS provider.
What Priority Means
MX priority tells sending mail systems which mail server to try first. Lower numbers usually have higher priority.
If your email provider gives you several MX records, enter them exactly as provided. They may use multiple records for backup or routing.
Do not mix MX records from unrelated email providers unless you have a specific technical reason and know how the services are intended to work together. In most small business setups, one email provider should control incoming mail for the domain.
When You Need to Change MX Records
You may need to change MX records when:
- Setting up business email for the first time
- Moving email to a new provider
- Connecting Microsoft 365
- Fixing email after a DNS or nameserver change
- Reconnecting a domain after a migration
You usually do not need to change MX records when updating website content, changing a WordPress theme, installing SSL, or editing normal website pages.
Why MX Records Can Break Email
MX records are sensitive because they control incoming delivery.
Email may stop arriving if:
- The MX record is deleted
- The record points to the wrong provider
- The record is added at the wrong DNS host
- Old nameservers are changed without copying email records
- New mailboxes are not created before mail is routed to them
- The domain has conflicting MX records
If your website still works but email stops receiving messages, MX records are one of the first places to check.
Where to Manage MX Records
MX records are managed wherever your active DNS is hosted. This may be the same company where you registered the domain, or it may be another DNS provider.
If your domain uses Tech Help Canada Hosting DNS, sign in to the Tech Help Canada Hosting account area and open the domain’s DNS records. If the domain uses another DNS provider, update the record there.
Updating an MX record in an inactive DNS account will not change live email. Check the domain’s nameservers if you are unsure where DNS is active.
Before You Edit an MX Record
Before making changes:
- Copy or screenshot the current MX records
- Confirm who currently receives mail at the domain
- Create the new mailboxes first
- Confirm the new provider’s exact MX values
- Check whether SPF, DKIM, DMARC, CNAME, or TXT records also need updates
- Choose a lower-risk time of day
- Send test messages after the change
Do not assume that changing MX records affects only one address. MX records usually apply to the whole domain.
MX Records and Website Hosting
Changing MX records does not normally move your website. Your website is usually controlled by A records, CNAME records, or nameservers.
The risk appears when someone changes nameservers to point the domain to a new website and forgets to copy the old email records. In that case, the website may work while email stops receiving messages.
Whenever you change nameservers or DNS hosting, copy the email records as part of the plan.
After Updating MX Records
Test email from outside your organization. Send a message from a different provider, reply to it, and confirm the message reaches the right inbox.
If messages do not arrive, check the active DNS provider, the exact MX value, mailbox creation, spam or quarantine folders, and whether enough time has passed for DNS updates.
If you need business email for your domain, you can explore Microsoft 365 through Tech Help Canada Hosting.
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