Tech fixes · Email & Domains
SPF “Too Many DNS Lookups” Error? How to Fix Your SPF Record
SPF allows at most 10 DNS lookups. Each include, plus mechanisms like a and mx and the lookups nested inside each include, count toward the limit, and going over makes SPF fail with a PermError. Remove services you no longer use, keep a single SPF record, and move some senders to a subdomain or rely on DKIM.
Also searched as: SPF permerror · SPF exceeds 10 DNS lookups · multiple SPF records · SPF record too long
- Starting price
- From $250
- Where
- Remote, anywhere in the U.S.
- Quote
- Fixed price before work starts
Try this first
- Check your SPF record with a tool that counts lookups
- Make sure there is exactly one SPF record
- Remove includes for services you no longer use
- Drop unnecessary a, mx and ptr mechanisms
- Move newsletters or bulk tools to a subdomain with its own SPF record
- Set up DKIM so DMARC can pass even when SPF doesn’t align
When it’s more than a quick fix
If you rely on many sending services, a careful redesign, sometimes with subdomains, beats squeezing everything into one record.
How we fix it remotely
We rebuild your SPF record under the limit, set up DKIM for every sender and confirm everything passes before and after.
In-depth guides
How a remote fix works
- 1
Tell us what’s happening
Two minutes with the form on this page. No account needed.
- 2
Get a fixed price
A personal reply within one business day, with the price agreed before any work starts.
- 3
We fix it remotely
You approve access, follow progress and pay in your private client portal.
Related services
Email Deliverability: SPF, DKIM & DMARC Setup
Stop landing in spam. We set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC, fix sending reputation and meet Gmail, Yahoo and Microsoft sender requirements.
Domain & DNS Management
Untangle domains and DNS: transfers, renewals, subdomains, email records and the "who has the login?" problem, all documented and in your name.
Questions
What is SPF flattening?
Replacing includes with IP addresses to cut lookups. It works, but breaks when providers change their IPs, so it needs ongoing maintenance.
Do two SPF records break email?
Yes. Having more than one SPF record makes SPF fail.
Can you fix this remotely?
We rebuild your SPF record under the limit, set up DKIM for every sender and confirm everything passes before and after.
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- Someone Is Sending Emails Pretending to Be You
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- How to Set Up a Shared Inbox (info@ or support@) for Your Team
- Domain Expired
- How to Transfer a Domain to a New Registrar Without Breaking Email
- How to Point Your Domain to a New Website Without Breaking Email
- Business Email Not Working on iPhone or Android
- How to Recover Deleted Emails in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
Want us to just fix it?
Tell us what’s happening. Most problems like this are fixed remotely, often the same day, and every request gets a personal reply within one business day.
- Big projects and small ones are all welcome
- Fixed-price quotes, no surprise invoices
- You own your code, data and accounts
- A client portal to track progress, invoices and payments
- Rooted in Wisconsin, serving businesses nationwide