How do I add a DKIM record to a domain name

Procédure

DKIM makes it possible to sign emails sent from your domain name. This signature helps mail services verify that your messages are authorized and that they have not been modified during sending.

In LWS Panel, the DKIM record is normally added automatically when your domain name is registered with LWS, uses LWS DNS, and uses the mail service included in your plan. A manual fix may however be necessary if the record has been deleted, if it is missing, or if the domain's DNS zone is managed by another provider.

Before you start

Before adding or correcting DKIM, check where your domain name's DNS are managed.

If your domain uses LWS DNS, you can add the DKIM record from the LWS DNS Zone.

If your domain uses external DNS, you must copy the DKIM values displayed in LWS Panel and send them to the service or provider that manages your domain's DNS zone.

Understanding the DKIM alert

In the email administration of your domain, LWS Panel displays a block called Email status. This block allows you to check the important elements for sending emails, including:

• SPF ;
• DKIM ;
• DMARC.

If a problem is detected, an orange icon appears. For DKIM, this means that the expected record was not found or has not yet been properly taken into account.

Click the DKIM link to display an information window. It contains the values to add in the domain's DNS zone.

Retrieve the DKIM values to add

From LWS Panel, open the email address administration for your domain.

In the Email status block, click DKIM.

A window opens with the DKIM information to use. You will find:

• a DKIM key: dkim._domainkey ;
• a value, starting with v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=....

Copy both pieces of information without modifying them.

Add the DKIM record if the DNS are at LWS

If your domain name uses LWS DNS, add the record in the domain's DNS Zone.

To do this, follow the dedicated documentation

When adding the DNS entry, choose the TXT type, then fill in:

• in the Name field: the DKIM key displayed in the window: dkim._domainkey ;
• in the Value field: the complete DKIM value displayed in the window.

Then validate the record addition.

If the DNS are managed outside LWS

If your domain uses external DNS servers, do not modify the LWS DNS Zone.

You must send the information displayed in the DKIM window to the provider managing your DNS:

• the record type: TXT ;
• the DKIM key ;
• the complete DKIM value.

The provider or external DNS service will need to add this record in your domain's active DNS zone.

Check that DKIM is properly taken into account

After adding the TXT record, wait a few hours for DNS propagation. It may not be taken into account immediately.

Then return to your domain's email administration, then check the Email status block.

Common issues

I don't see a DKIM alert

If no DKIM alert appears in the Email status block, no action is needed. The DKIM record is already detected correctly.

I added the DKIM record, but the alert is still displayed

Wait for DNS propagation, then check again. If the alert remains displayed, check that:

• the added record is indeed of type TXT ;
• the DKIM key exactly matches the one displayed in LWS Panel ;
• the DKIM value was copied in full ;
• the record was added in the DNS zone actually used by the domain.

My domain uses external DNS

In this case, the addition must be made with the provider managing the domain's DNS. The LWS DNS Zone will not be taken into account as long as the domain's DNS servers are not LWS's.

I deleted the DKIM record by mistake

If DNS are managed at LWS, retrieve the key and value again from the DKIM link in the Email status block, then recreate the TXT record in the LWS DNS Zone.

If DNS are external, send this information to the DNS provider so that they can recreate the entry.