How to Add MX Records in Namecheap - Step-by-Step Guide

Namecheap is a popular domain registrar with built-in DNS management. Adding MX records is straightforward through their dashboard. This guide covers setup for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and other email providers.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• Access to your Namecheap account
• The MX records from your email provider (mail server and priority)
• Your domain using Namecheap's DNS (not pointing to external nameservers)

Check which DNS service your domain uses: If you see "Namecheap BasicDNS" or "Namecheap Web Hosting DNS" in your domain settings, you can manage MX records through Namecheap. If it shows custom nameservers, you'll need to manage DNS at that provider instead.

Accessing DNS Management

1. Log into Namecheap at namecheap.com
2. Go to Domain List from the left sidebar
3. Find your domain and click Manage
4. Click the Advanced DNS tab

You'll see sections for Host Records and Mail Settings. MX records can be managed in either location depending on your setup.

Adding MX Records: Method 1 (Custom MX)

If using a third-party email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.):

1. In the Mail Settings section, click the dropdown
2. Select Custom MX
3. Click Add New Record for each MX entry
4. Enter:
   • Host: Usually @ for root domain
   • Value/Mail Server: The hostname from your provider
   • Priority: The priority number
5. Click the checkmark to save each record
6. Click Save All Changes when done

Adding MX Records: Method 2 (Host Records)

You can also add MX records in the Host Records section:

1. Scroll to Host Records
2. Click Add New Record
3. Select MX Record as the type
4. Enter:
   • Host: @ for root domain
   • Value: Mail server hostname
   • Priority: Priority number
   • TTL: Automatic or custom
5. Click the checkmark to save
6. Repeat for additional MX records

Adding Google Workspace MX Records

For Google Workspace, add these five records:

In Namecheap's Custom MX interface:

1. Select Custom MX from Mail Settings
2. Add each record with the values above
3. Save all changes

Adding Microsoft 365 MX Records

Microsoft 365 needs one MX record:

Replace yourdomain-com with your actual domain using hyphens. Find the exact value in your Microsoft 365 admin portal.

Adding Other Provider MX Records

Zoho Mail:

@ → mx.zoho.com (priority 10)
@ → mx2.zoho.com (priority 20)
@ → mx3.zoho.com (priority 50)

ProtonMail:

@ → mail.protonmail.ch (priority 10)
@ → mailsec.protonmail.ch (priority 20)

Fastmail:

@ → in1-smtp.messagingengine.com (priority 10)
@ → in2-smtp.messagingengine.com (priority 20)

Check your provider's current documentation for exact values.

Namecheap Private Email

If you're using Namecheap's Private Email service:

1. Go to Mail Settings
2. Select Private Email from the dropdown
3. MX records configure automatically

If switching away from Private Email to another provider:

1. Change from Private Email to Custom MX
2. Add your new provider's MX records
3. Your Private Email subscription continues until you cancel it separately

Removing Old MX Records

Before adding new MX records (when switching providers):

1. Go to Mail Settings or Host Records
2. Find existing MX records
3. Click the trash icon next to each one
4. Confirm deletion
5. Save changes
6. Then add your new MX records

Verifying Changes

After adding MX records:

1. Wait for propagation. Namecheap changes typically propagate within 30 minutes, but can take up to 48 hours globally.

2. Use our MX lookup tool to verify records are published.

3. Send a test email from an external account.

4. Check your email provider's setup tools for verification.

Troubleshooting Namecheap MX Issues

Changes Not Saving

• Make sure you click the checkmark on each record
• Click Save All Changes at the bottom
• Check for validation errors (red highlighting)
• Ensure priority is a number, not text

Records Show in Namecheap But Not Externally

• DNS propagation takes time; wait at least 30 minutes
• Namecheap's DNS updates aren't instant like Cloudflare
• Check from multiple locations using propagation tools

"Value" Format Issues

• Enter just the hostname (aspmx.l.google.com)
• Don't add http:// or trailing slashes
• Namecheap may auto-add a trailing dot—this is normal

Priority Field Problems

• Must be a numeric value
• Lower numbers = higher priority
• Common values: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50

Can't See MX Options

• Verify domain is using Namecheap DNS (BasicDNS or Web Hosting DNS)
• If using custom nameservers, manage DNS at that provider
• Check domain isn't expired or suspended

Email Forwarding Conflicts

Namecheap offers email forwarding that creates its own MX records. If using Custom MX:

1. Disable email forwarding first
2. Then add your provider's MX records
3. Forwarding and Custom MX can't coexist

Additional DNS Records

Complete your email setup with these additional records:

SPF Record

Type: TXT
Host: @
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

(Modify for your provider)

Check at spfrecordcheck.com.

DKIM Record Your email provider gives you this value. Add as TXT or CNAME record per their instructions. Test at dkimtest.com.

DMARC Record

Type: TXT
Host: _dmarc
Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com

Check at dmarcrecordchecker.com.

Monitor Your MX Records

Checking once is good. Monitoring continuously is better. The Email Deliverability Suite watches your SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records daily and alerts you when something breaks.