Autodiscovery and autoconfiguration DNS records

Modern e‑mail clients like Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird can automatically detect and configure e‑mail account settings. This is made possible through autodiscovery and autoconfiguration DNS records.

What These Records Do

• Allow e‑mail clients to auto‑discover server settings (IMAP, POP3, SMTP).

• Simplify setup for end users — no need to manually enter server names or ports.

• Improve compatibility with Microsoft Exchange and other mail systems.

Default Records in cPanel

By default, cPanel automatically creates the following DNS records for your domain:

• autoconfig.example.com → A record

• autodiscover.example.com → A record

• _autodiscover._tcp.example.com → SRV record

(Replace example.com with your actual domain.)

Viewing or Editing Records

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Go to Domains → Zone Editor.

3. Locate the records for autoconfig and autodiscover.

4. Use the Advanced Zone Editor if you need to delete or re‑create them.

Re‑Creating Records

• A Records: Add entries for autoconfig and autodiscover pointing to your mail server’s IP.

• SRV Record: Re‑create _autodiscover._tcp.example.com with the correct service, protocol, priority, weight, port, and target.

Notes

• These records usually do not cause issues.

• If problems occur, you can safely delete and re‑create them.

• Always ensure they point to the correct mail server for your domain.

More Information

• Microsoft Exchange Autodiscover service: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124251.aspx