How can I troubleshoot the issue when my Webflow site, which I have linked to a custom domain, returns a "this page isn't working" error? This is my first time publishing a site and I followed the instructions given by Webflow. Thank you!

If your Webflow site linked to a custom domain is showing a "this page isn't working" error, it likely means there's an issue with your domain configuration or Webflow publish settings. Here's how to troubleshoot it step by step.

1. Confirm Domain is Properly Added in Webflow

• Go to Project Settings > Hosting tab.
• Ensure your custom domain is listed and has the checkmark next to it indicating it’s verified.
• If not, re-add the domain exactly (e.g., www.example.com, not just example.com) and Webflow will show the required DNS records.

2. Check DNS Settings at Domain Registrar

Ensure you've correctly set up the DNS records at your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains):

• A Records: Point both of these IPs to your apex (non-www) domain:
• (a) 75.2.70.75
• (b) 99.83.190.102
• CNAME Record: Point www.yourdomain.com to proxy-ssl.webflow.com

Important: Most registrars don’t allow a CNAME at the root/apex. That’s why A records are for non-www, and CNAME is used for www.

3. Set Default Domain in Webflow

• In Hosting settings, make sure the domain with www (e.g., www.example.com) is selected as the default domain with the star icon. This helps prevent redirect issues.

4. Wait for DNS Propagation

• DNS changes take time (often up to 24–48 hours). You can use tools like dnschecker.org to verify propagation of your records globally.
• Incomplete propagation may show errors temporarily.

5. Clear Cache and Check in Incognito Mode

• Clear your browser cache or test your domain in an incognito/private window to ensure the issue isn't local.

6. Check SSL Status in Webflow

• In Project Settings > Hosting, verify that SSL is enabled.
• If you just enabled it, republish your site after enabling SSL.

7. Republish the Site

• Go back to the Webflow Designer or Dashboard and click Publish.
• Select the custom domain (not just the Webflow.io subdomain) as one of the publish targets.

8. Check for Misconfigurations with Forwarding

If you're redirecting example.com to www.example.com or vice versa via your domain registrar:

• Make sure you're using a 301 permanent redirect at the registrar level or set the WWW domain as default in Webflow.
• Avoid setting up conflicting redirects both at Webflow and registrar level.

Summary

To fix the "this page isn’t working" error on a Webflow site with a custom domain, verify your DNS settings (correct A and CNAME records), ensure you've set the www domain as default, confirm Webflow has SSL enabled, and republish your site. Allow time for DNS changes to propagate, and use tools like dnschecker.org to monitor status.