Website down: DNS or hosting first?

[NiceNIC.COM]

When a site goes down, what do you usually check first?

DNS and nameservers, hosting server, SSL, CDN, or cache?

For client sites or small projects, checking DNS early can save time, but hosting logs can also show the problem quickly. What is your normal workflow?

[HansalScripts]

In my experience, a crashed server or a bad update happens way more often than DNS suddenly breaking. Starting with the host usually solves it fastest!

[NotATether]

Nobody checks the DNS when the site is down unless you updated it recently.

The hosting is almost certainly the cause of any downtime.

[ABCbits]

I would check whether i can check the website with different browser or connection (such as using different VPN server). If both doesn't work, sometimes i use website that can check whether a website is down for everyone or just me.

P.S. Things you mentioned is probably only relevant if you own or manage the website.

[NiceNIC.COM]

In my experience, a crashed server or a bad update happens way more often than DNS suddenly breaking. Starting with the host usually solves it fastest!

Agree, host-side issues are usually more common. I still like doing a quick DNS/NS check first just to rule it out, then go straight to the logs.

[Vod]

When a site goes down, what do you usually check first?

DNS and nameservers, hosting server, SSL, CDN, or cache?

If you are browsing from your own computer, you would check the hosting first.

If you are on a guest computer, it makes sense to do a quick ping to the website - many things can interfere or hijack DNS.

[NiceNIC.COM]

I would check whether i can check the website with different browser or connection (such as using different VPN server). If both doesn't work, sometimes i use website that can check whether a website is down for everyone or just me.

P.S. Things you mentioned is probably only relevant if you own or manage the website.

Good point. It depends if you’re just visiting the site or actually managing it.

When a site goes down, what do you usually check first?

DNS and nameservers, hosting server, SSL, CDN, or cache?

If you are browsing from your own computer, you would check the hosting first.

If you are on a guest computer, it makes sense to do a quick ping to the website - many things can interfere or hijack DNS.

On a guest/public computer, DNS or local network issues can definitely mislead you.

Nobody checks the DNS when the site is down unless you updated it recently.

The hosting is almost certainly the cause of any downtime.

Yeah, that makes sense. If DNS wasn’t changed recently, hosting is probably the first suspect.