REVSET LABS · EXPERT GUIDE·CRM & Contacts
Troubleshoot & Fix Squarespace DNS Records from GoHighLevel
1,092 words·5 min read·Updated 28 April 2026·beginner· Quick Answer
To fix Squarespace DNS issues, retrieve the correct A and CNAME records from your Squarespace account. Then, update these records in your domain's DNS settings, typically found in GoHighLevel's Settings → Domains or your external registrar. Verify the connection in Squarespace after allowing up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Always get the exact, up-to-date DNS records directly from your Squarespace account.
- ✓Update DNS records only at your domain's authoritative DNS provider (your registrar or GoHighLevel's domain settings).
- ✓Ensure no conflicting DNS records exist for your root domain or 'www' subdomain before adding new ones.
- ✓Verify the domain connection manually within your Squarespace site settings after updating DNS records.
- ✓Expect DNS changes to take 24-48 hours to fully propagate worldwide; patience is key.
Why Won't My Squarespace DNS Records Work?
Connecting your custom domain to a Squarespace website is crucial for your online presence. When DNS records don't work, your website won't appear correctly, leading to frustration and lost visitors. This often happens due to incorrect record entries, conflicting settings, or simply not waiting long enough for changes to update.
This guide helps you troubleshoot and correctly configure your domain's DNS records to point to your Squarespace site. We will cover finding the correct Squarespace records, updating them in your domain's DNS settings (which might be in GoHighLevel or an external registrar), and verifying the connection.
Step 1: Get Your Exact DNS Records from Squarespace
The first step is to get the precise A and CNAME records that Squarespace requires for your domain. These records tell the internet where to find your Squarespace website. Using outdated or incorrect records is a common reason for connection failures.
1
Log in to Squarespace — Access your Squarespace account. Go to the website you are trying to connect.
2
Navigate to Domain Settings — From your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings → Domains. Click on Use a Domain I Own.
3
Enter Your Domain — Type your full domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com) into the field. Click Connect Domain.
4
View DNS Settings — Squarespace will display the specific A records and CNAME records you need. These are unique to your site. Write them down carefully or keep this window open.
🔥 Pro Tip
Squarespace's required IP addresses for A records can occasionally change. Always retrieve the current records directly from your Squarespace domain settings, rather than using old values.
Step 2: Access Your Domain's DNS Settings
You must update your domain's DNS records at the source where your domain's DNS is managed. This could be GoHighLevel if you bought the domain through them or transferred its DNS. Otherwise, it will be your external domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare.
1
Determine Your DNS Host — If you manage your domain through GoHighLevel, proceed to the next step. If your domain is registered elsewhere, log into your external domain registrar's account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
2
Navigate to GoHighLevel Domain Settings (If Applicable) — In GoHighLevel, go to Settings → Domains. Find the domain you want to connect to Squarespace. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit its settings.
3
Access DNS Records Section — Within the domain settings, look for a section labeled DNS Records or Advanced DNS. This is where you will add and modify records.
⚠️ Making incorrect changes to your DNS records can disrupt your website and email services. Proceed with caution and double-check all entries.
🔥 Pro Tip
If you are unsure where your domain's DNS is hosted, use a 'whois' lookup tool online. It often tells you the nameservers, which indicate your DNS provider.
Step 3: Add/Update A Records for Your Root Domain
A records point your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) to specific IP addresses. Squarespace requires at least two A records. You must ensure these are correctly configured and any conflicting A records for your root domain are removed.
1
Identify Existing A Records — In your DNS management section, look for any existing A records with '@' or your bare domain as the host. Delete any that do not match Squarespace's required IPs.
2
Add First A Record — Click Add New Record. Set the Type to A. Set the Host/Name to @ or leave it blank (this signifies your root domain). Enter the first IP address provided by Squarespace into the Value/Points To field. Set the TTL (Time To Live) to 3600 seconds or 'Automatic'.
3
Add Second A Record — Repeat the process for the second A record provided by Squarespace. Use A for Type, @ or blank for Host/Name, and the second Squarespace IP for Value/Points To. Set the TTL.
4
Add Additional A Records (If Required) — Squarespace might provide more than two A records. Add all of them following the same steps, using the '@' host and their respective IP addresses.
✅ Always delete conflicting A records before adding new ones. Having multiple A records for the same host pointing to different IPs can cause intermittent website loading issues.
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Step 4: Add/Update CNAME Record for 'www'
A CNAME record for 'www' points your 'www.yourdomain.com' subdomain to Squarespace's server. This is critical for users who type 'www' before your domain name. You must ensure this record is correct and not conflicting with other 'www' entries.
1
Identify Existing 'www' Records — Look for any existing A or CNAME records where the Host/Name is 'www'. Delete any records that do not point to `ext-cust.squarespace.com`.
2
Add CNAME Record — Click Add New Record. Set the Type to CNAME. Set the Host/Name to www. Enter `ext-cust.squarespace.com` into the Value/Points To/Target field. Set the TTL to 3600 seconds or 'Automatic'.
🔥 Pro Tip
Some registrars automatically add a CNAME record for 'www' when you set up your root domain. Double-check to avoid duplicates or conflicts.
Step 5: Verify Domain Connection in Squarespace
After updating your DNS records, you need to tell Squarespace to check for these changes. This step initiates Squarespace's verification process and helps confirm your settings are correct.
1
Return to Squarespace Domain Settings — Go back to your Squarespace account. Navigate to Settings → Domains and find your connected domain.
2
Refresh Connection Status — Squarespace will typically show a 'Connection in Progress' or 'Unverified' status. Look for a button like Refresh or Verify Connection and click it. Squarespace will then attempt to detect the updated DNS records.
3
Confirm Status Change — If successful, the status will change to 'Connected' or 'Verified'. If it shows an error, recheck your DNS entries.
🔥 Pro Tip
Even if Squarespace shows 'Connected,' it can still take time for the site to load worldwide due to DNS propagation. This verification confirms the records are correctly configured.
Step 6: Wait for DNS Propagation
DNS changes do not happen instantly. It takes time for the updates to spread across the internet's servers. This period is known as DNS propagation. Patience is essential during this stage.
1
Understand Propagation Time — DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, though typically it's complete within 24 hours. This delay is normal and unavoidable.
2
Clear Browser Cache — Sometimes your browser or internet provider's cache holds old DNS information. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try accessing your site from a different device or network.
3
Use a DNS Checker Tool — To monitor propagation, use online DNS checker tools (e.g., dnschecker.org). Enter your domain and check if the A and CNAME records show Squarespace's values across different locations.
⚠️ Do not make additional DNS changes during the propagation period unless you are certain an error exists. This can reset the propagation clock and prolong the wait.
🔥 Pro Tip
While waiting, focus on other aspects of your Squarespace site setup, like content creation or SEO. You've done your part; now the internet needs to catch up.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
⚠️ My Squarespace domain status is 'Unverified' or 'Connection in Progress' for too long.
Double-check every character of your A and CNAME records against what Squarespace provided. Ensure no conflicting records exist for '@' or 'www'. Re-verify in Squarespace after checking. Wait the full 48 hours for propagation.
⚠️ I see a 'Domain Not Found' or 'Site Can't Be Reached' error.
This often means DNS records are incorrect or haven't propagated. Verify your A records point to Squarespace's IPs and your 'www' CNAME points to `ext-cust.squarespace.com`. Clear your browser cache and try an incognito window. Use a DNS checker to confirm propagation.
⚠️ Squarespace says 'Domain already connected' or 'Domain is in use'.
This means the domain is already linked to another Squarespace site or account. You must disconnect it from the old site first. If you don't own the other site, contact Squarespace support with proof of domain ownership.
⚠️ My root domain (yourdomain.com) works, but 'www.yourdomain.com' does not.
The issue is likely with your 'www' CNAME record. Ensure the Host/Name is exactly 'www' and the Value/Points To is exactly `ext-cust.squarespace.com`. Delete any A records for 'www'.
⚠️ I can't find where to edit DNS records in GoHighLevel.
In GoHighLevel, navigate to Settings → Domains. If your domain is listed there, click the pencil icon next to it. The DNS records section is usually visible. If your domain is not listed, its DNS is managed externally, and you must log in to your domain registrar's website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- →Entering incorrect IP addresses or CNAME targets provided by Squarespace.
- →Forgetting to delete old or conflicting DNS records (especially A records for 'www').
- →Not verifying the domain connection *within* Squarespace after updating DNS records.
- →Confusing GoHighLevel's funnel domain settings with your primary domain's DNS records.
- →Not waiting long enough (up to 48 hours) for DNS propagation to fully complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow long does it take for Squarespace DNS changes to update?
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. While many updates happen within a few hours, it's best to allow a full 24-48 hours for global propagation. Clearing your browser cache can sometimes help you see changes sooner on your end.
QWhat are the exact A records and CNAME record for Squarespace?
Squarespace typically requires two A records for your root domain pointing to specific IP addresses (e.g., 198.185.159.144, 198.185.159.160, 198.185.159.172, 198.185.159.188). The CNAME record for 'www' should point to `ext-cust.squarespace.com`. Always retrieve the precise, current values directly from your Squarespace domain connection settings, as these can occasionally be updated.
QDo I need to delete old DNS records when connecting to Squarespace?
Yes, it is crucial to delete any old or conflicting DNS records. Specifically, remove any existing A records for your root domain ('@') that do not match Squarespace's IPs. Also, delete any A or CNAME records for 'www' that do not point to `ext-cust.squarespace.com`. Conflicting records can prevent your domain from connecting correctly.
QWhat if my domain is managed by an external registrar, not GoHighLevel?
If your domain's DNS is managed by an external registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.), you must log into that registrar's account. Navigate to their DNS management section to update the A and CNAME records as instructed by Squarespace. GoHighLevel's domain settings only apply if GHL is your domain's DNS host.
QMy Squarespace domain shows 'Connected' but my website still isn't loading. What now?
If Squarespace shows 'Connected,' it means their system successfully detected your DNS changes. The remaining issue is almost always DNS propagation. Wait the full 48 hours. Try accessing your site from different devices, networks, or using an incognito browser window. Use an online DNS checker to confirm the records are visible worldwide.
Try GoHighLevel Free
Start your 30-day GoHighLevel free trial
Everything in this guide is in your free trial. 30 days, no credit card — the platform behind 78+ revenue systems.
Some links are affiliate links — if you sign up we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend GoHighLevel because we build on it every day.
Arsalan Zaffar
Revset Labs · Revenue Systems · 78+ GHL Builds
Arsalan writes GHL guides from real build experience — 78+ systems, $9.2M in client pipeline. Wharton, CXL & Google certified.
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