Site works with www but not without (or the reverse)

Fix a domain that only loads with or without www: the missing DNS record, SSL coverage and the redirect to your preferred version.

TroubleshootingBeginner2 min readUpdated

Does this match what you’re seeing?

  • www.yourdomain.co.uk works but yourdomain.co.uk doesn’t
  • The bare domain works but www doesn’t
  • One version shows a certificate warning

yourdomain.co.uk and www.yourdomain.co.uk need their own DNS records, and both need to be covered by the certificate.

1. Check both records

dig yourdomain.co.uk A +short
dig www.yourdomain.co.uk +short

The failing one probably returns nothing.

With Traxio nameservers, both exist by default; if one was deleted, recreate it in Account Manager then DNS Management.

2. Certificate warning on one version

The certificate may not include that name. Request the certificate again in Account Manager then SSL Certificates with both names ticked. How free SSL certificates work on Traxio

3. Redirect one to the other

Once both resolve, redirect the version you don’t use to the one you do. www or no www? Choosing and enforcing one version

4. DNS at a registrar with “web forwarding”

Registrar forwarding services sometimes occupy the bare domain or www. Turn forwarding off when pointing the domain at Traxio.

Popular

Tip: press / to search from any pageSee all results