Why UltraDNS shows a Server Missing or Name Servers Configured Improperly Alert

This article explains why UltraDNS may show a Server Missing error or a Name servers are configured improperly alert for a domain. These alerts usually mean the domain registration does not list the expected UltraDNS name servers as authoritative for the domain.

Symptoms

• The UltraDNS portal shows a Server Missing name server error.
• The UltraDNS portal shows a Name servers are configured improperly alert.
• A WHOIS lookup shows name servers that do not match the UltraDNS name servers assigned to the domain.

Why This Happens

UltraDNS checks name server values in three places: the account settings, the UltraDNS zone file, and the domain registration. If the name server values do not match across these locations, UltraDNS generates the Name servers are configured improperly alert.

A Server Missing alert is generated when the UltraDNS name servers assigned to the domain are not listed as authoritative in the WHOIS information for the domain. This usually means the registrar has different name servers configured for the domain registration.

How to Check the Domain

1. Run a WHOIS lookup for the affected domain.
2. Review the name servers listed in the WHOIS response.
3. Compare the WHOIS name servers against the UltraDNS name servers assigned to the domain.

What You Should Do Next

If WHOIS does not show the delegated UltraDNS name servers, contact your domain registrar and ask them to update the domain registration to use the correct UltraDNS name servers.

If WHOIS already shows the correct UltraDNS name servers, no registrar change is required. The alert should clear the next time UltraDNS runs its verification check.

Expected Outcome

UltraDNS runs this verification automatically on a weekly basis. The alert clears after UltraDNS checks the domain again and confirms that WHOIS lists the expected UltraDNS name servers.

Important Notes

• The verification check usually runs every 7 to 10 days.
• The alert may remain visible until the next scheduled verification check, even after the registrar has been updated.
• The registrar controls which name servers are listed in the domain registration. UltraDNS cannot update registrar delegation directly.