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!
TL;DR
- Verify DNS settings with correct A records (75.2.70.75, 99.83.190.102) and CNAME (www → proxy-ssl.webflow.com); remove any conflicting records.
- Set www version as default domain in Webflow, enable SSL and Force HTTPS, publish to both domains, clear browser cache, and check record propagation.
If your Webflow site shows a “this page isn't working” error after connecting a custom domain, it's likely due to domain misconfiguration or missing records. Here's how to systematically troubleshoot and fix it.
1. Check DNS Settings
- Log into your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).
- Ensure you’ve added the correct A records and CNAME as shown in Webflow’s custom domain instructions.
- Required A records: (a) 75.2.70.75, (b) 99.83.190.102
- Required CNAME (for www version): Point www.yourdomain.com to proxy-ssl.webflow.com
- Delete any conflicting records like:
- Extra A records pointing to other IPs
- AAAA (IPv6) records
- Conflicting CNAMEs or TXT records
2. Set the WWW Version as the Default Domain
- Go to Webflow Project Settings › Hosting tab
- Under Custom Domains, click the star icon next to the www version of your domain to set it as the default
- Webflow’s infrastructure works best when www.yourdomain.com is the default domain (non-www is handled by redirect)
3. Publish to the Custom Domain
- In Webflow, click Publish in the toolbar
- Select both your Webflow.io and custom domain
- Wait a few minutes and let the DNS changes propagate if you just added the records (can take up to 48 hours but often is faster)
4. Check SSL and Force HTTPS
- In Webflow Project Settings › Hosting, ensure SSL is enabled
- Enable “Force HTTPS” to avoid mixed-security issues
- If you just enabled SSL, republish your site to generate SSL certificates
5. Clear Browser Cache or Use Incognito Mode
- Sometimes browser cache can cause loading errors—check the site in incognito or after clearing your browser cache
6. Verify Domain Propagation
- Use tools like https://dnschecker.org to confirm that your A and CNAME records are propagating globally
- Look up your domain and verify the correct IPs and CNAME are appearing
7. Remove Page Password Protection (If Enabled)
- Go to any page settings in the Webflow Designer and check if password protection is accidentally enabled
- A misconfigured page password setup might cause access issues
Summary
Make sure your DNS records exactly match Webflow’s required settings, set the www version as default in your project, and republish your site. Check SSL and domain propagation status, and your site should load correctly.