Set the reverse DNS

Reverse DNS (rDNS, or a PTR record) maps an IP address back to a hostname. Normal visitors never notice it, but mail servers check it on every incoming message. If your server sends email and its IP points to a generic hostname, your messages are much more likely to land in spam or be rejected outright.

Why it matters for mail

When your server connects to Gmail, Outlook or any other provider, they look up the PTR record of your IP. They expect:

• The IP to resolve to a real hostname, such as mail.example.com.
• That hostname to resolve back to the same IP (this is called forward confirmed reverse DNS).
• The hostname to match what your mail server announces in its HELO greeting.

If any of these is missing, you start the conversation with a bad reputation.

Step 1: create the forward record

Before setting rDNS, the hostname must already point to your IP. In your domain's DNS zone, add an A record (and an AAAA record for IPv6):

mail.example.com.    3600    IN    A       203.0.113.25
mail.example.com.    3600    IN    AAAA    2001:db8::25

Wait for it to propagate, then check it:

dig +short mail.example.com A

Step 2: set the PTR in the panel

1. Open your server and go to the Network tab.
2. Find the IP address you want to update.
3. Click the edit icon in the Reverse DNS column.
4. Enter the hostname, for example mail.example.com, and save.

The panel checks that the forward record exists before accepting the change. Updates normally go live within a few minutes.

Tip: Set rDNS on every IP that sends mail, including IPv6. Many providers now deliver over IPv6 first, and a missing PTR there hurts as much as on IPv4.

Step 3: verify

From any machine, look up the PTR:

dig +short -x 203.0.113.25

On Windows:

Resolve-DnsName 203.0.113.25 -Type PTR

You should see your hostname, followed by a trailing dot.

Finish the job: SPF, DKIM and DMARC

Reverse DNS is only one piece of good deliverability. To give your mail the best chance:

• Add an SPF record listing the IPs allowed to send for your domain.
• Sign outgoing mail with DKIM.
• Publish a DMARC policy, starting with p=none while you monitor reports.
• Set your mail server's hostname to the same value as the PTR.

If you host your email on our web hosting plans, the Enhance panel sets up SPF and DKIM for you, and rDNS is handled on our side.

Troubleshooting

If the panel refuses your hostname, the forward record is usually missing or still propagating. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it still fails after an hour, open a ticket from Support with the IP and the hostname you want to use.