Microsoft 365 + Network Solutions

Set up Microsoft 365 email on Network Solutions

The records Microsoft 365 needs, written with the field names Network Solutions uses (Refers to, Mail server, TXT Value, Alias to), in the order to add them.

  • 6 steps
  • 7 DNS records

Before you start

  1. Have your Microsoft 365 account ready. Some values are unique to your account and come from the Microsoft 365 admin center .
  2. Open DNS at Network Solutions: Sign in at networksolutions.com/manage-it and select Domain Names. Tick the box next to your domain. Under Actions, select the three dots, then Manage. Scroll to Advanced Tools and, next to Advanced DNS Records, select MANAGE (select Continue if asked).
  3. Keep both tabs open and add the records below one at a time.

Records to add

Copy each value with the button next to it. Rows marked “Copy from Microsoft 365 admin center” are unique to your account.

Domain verification Proves you own the domain Type TXT Refers to @ Value Copy from Microsoft 365 admin center Looks like: MS=ms followed by digits Priority n/a TTL 3600 (1 h)
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Refers to @ Value Copy from Microsoft 365 admin center Looks like: <your MX token>.mail.protection.outlook.com, or for domains set up on Microsoft's newer DNSSEC infrastructure <your MX token>.<subdomain>.mx.microsoft Priority 0 TTL 3600 (1 h)
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Refers to @ Value v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all Priority n/a TTL 3600 (1 h)
DKIM A signature on every message · recommended Type CNAME Refers to selector1._domainkey Value Copy from Microsoft 365 admin center Looks like: selector1-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<your onmicrosoft prefix>.<letter>-v1.dkim.mail.microsoft (older domains: selector1-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<prefix>.onmicrosoft.com) Priority n/a TTL 3600 (1 h)
DKIM A signature on every message · recommended Type CNAME Refers to selector2._domainkey Value Copy from Microsoft 365 admin center Looks like: selector2-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<your onmicrosoft prefix>.<letter>-v1.dkim.mail.microsoft (older domains: selector2-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<prefix>.onmicrosoft.com) Priority n/a TTL 3600 (1 h)
DMARC record What to do with fakes · recommended Type TXT Refers to _dmarc Value v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com Priority n/a TTL Default
Autodiscover Automatic app setup · recommended Type CNAME Refers to autodiscover Value autodiscover.outlook.com Priority n/a TTL 3600 (1 h)

Step by step in Network Solutions

Verify your domain

Your email provider needs proof that you control this domain before it accepts email for it.

Type
TXT
Refers to
@
TXT Value
Copy it from Microsoft 365 admin center (see below)

Where to find your value

In the Microsoft 365 admin center go to Settings > Domains and add your domain (or select it and choose Start setup). On Verify you own your domain, choose Add a TXT record to the domain's DNS records and copy the TXT value.

It looks like: MS=ms followed by digits

  • Verification usually takes up to 10 minutes after adding the record, sometimes up to 48 hours.

1 more note from Microsoft 365 on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Point your MX records

MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver your email. How MX works

Type
MX
Refers to
@
Priority
0
Mail server
Copy it from Microsoft 365 admin center (see below)

Where to find your value

In the Microsoft 365 admin center go to Settings > Domains, select your domain, then DNS records > Manage DNS. On the Add DNS records page, expand MX Records and copy the value.

It looks like: <your MX token>.mail.protection.outlook.com, or for domains set up on Microsoft's newer DNSSEC infrastructure <your MX token>.<subdomain>.mx.microsoft

  • Remove MX records that point to your previous email provider, or give them a lower priority (a higher number) than the Microsoft 365 record.
  • Add users and mailboxes in Microsoft 365 before switching the MX record so incoming mail keeps flowing.

2 more notes from Microsoft 365 on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. On Manage Advanced DNS Records, select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose MX.
  3. Set Refers to @, enter the Mail server and the Priority, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.
  5. Delete any other MX records: select the edit tool, then Delete.

Add the SPF record

SPF lists the services allowed to send email as you. How SPF works

Type
TXT
Refers to
@
TXT Value
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
  • If an SPF record already exists, don't create a second one. Add include:spf.protection.outlook.com to the existing record so there is a single SPF record.

2 more notes from Microsoft 365 on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Set up DKIM (recommended)

DKIM signs your mail so receivers can trust it. How DKIM works

Type
CNAME
Host Name
selector1._domainkey
Alias to
Copy it from Microsoft 365 admin center (see below)

Where to find your value

In the Microsoft Defender portal open Email authentication settings (security.microsoft.com/authentication), select the DKIM tab and your domain, then copy the two CNAME values. They are also shown in the admin center under Add DNS records > Advanced options > DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).

It looks like: selector1-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<your onmicrosoft prefix>.<letter>-v1.dkim.mail.microsoft (older domains: selector1-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<prefix>.onmicrosoft.com)

  • After both CNAME records resolve, turn on Sign messages for this domain with DKIM signatures in the Defender portal.
Type
CNAME
Host Name
selector2._domainkey
Alias to
Copy it from Microsoft 365 admin center (see below)

Where to find your value

Same place as selector1: Defender portal > Email authentication settings > DKIM tab > your domain.

It looks like: selector2-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<your onmicrosoft prefix>.<letter>-v1.dkim.mail.microsoft (older domains: selector2-yourdomain-com._domainkey.<prefix>.onmicrosoft.com)

  • Add both selector records. Microsoft rotates between them.

1 more note from Microsoft 365 on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose CNAME.
  3. Set Refers to Other Host, enter the name in Host Name and the target in Alias to.
  4. Select ADD.
  5. Repeat for each CNAME record above.

Add the DMARC record (recommended)

DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fakes your domain. How DMARC works

Type
TXT
Refers to
_dmarc
TXT Value
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
  • Replace the report address with a shared mailbox or group, not a personal inbox.

3 more notes from Microsoft 365 on this record

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose TXT.
  3. Set Refers to (@ for your bare domain), paste the TXT Value, and pick a TTL.
  4. Select ADD.

Add the Autodiscover record (recommended)

Autodiscover lets Outlook and other mail apps find your account settings without manual setup.

Type
CNAME
Host Name
autodiscover
Alias to
autodiscover.outlook.com
  • Optional but highly recommended: lets Outlook and other apps set up mailboxes automatically.

In Network Solutions

  1. Select +ADD RECORD.
  2. Under Type, choose CNAME.
  3. Set Refers to Other Host, enter the name in Host Name and the target in Alias to.
  4. Select ADD.

Check your setup

Once the records are saved, run a live check. We look up your domain in public DNS and tell you what is right, missing or wrong, with the fix in Network Solutions’s words.

We only read public DNS records. Nothing is stored.

Common mistakes with Microsoft 365 on Network Solutions

Switching MX before adding mailboxes

Add users and mailboxes in Microsoft 365 before changing the MX record, or incoming mail has nowhere to go.

Adding a second SPF record

Microsoft says not to create a new SPF record if one exists. Add include:spf.protection.outlook.com to the existing record so there is a single SPF record.

Network Solutions: Values must not end with a dot

Network Solutions doesn't accept a final period on mail server or CNAME targets. Enter them without the trailing dot.

2 more Microsoft 365 mistakes to avoid

Visit Microsoft 365 Visit Network Solutions

Microsoft 365 on Network Solutions: questions

Where do I add Microsoft 365 DNS records in Network Solutions?

Sign in at networksolutions.com/manage-it and select Domain Names. Tick the box next to your domain. Under Actions, select the three dots, then Manage. Scroll to Advanced Tools and, next to Advanced DNS Records, select MANAGE (select Continue if asked). Add each record there, one at a time.

What goes in the Refers to field at Network Solutions?

Enter @ for records on your bare domain, such as MX and SPF. For the others, enter only the part before your domain, for example autodiscover. Network Solutions adds your domain automatically.

Do I need to delete my existing MX records at Network Solutions?

Remove MX records that point to your previous email provider, or give them a lower priority (a higher number) than the Microsoft 365 record. Network Solutions doesn't accept a final period on mail server or CNAME targets. Enter them without the trailing dot.

How long until Microsoft 365 email works on Network Solutions?

DNS changes typically take about 15 minutes to take effect, occasionally longer.

Sources

Every value and step on this page comes from these official pages. Dashboards change, so if something doesn’t match what you see, tell us.

Network Solutions steps and tips

Some of these are other email providers' official guides for Network Solutions. They describe the same Network Solutions dashboard.

Microsoft 365 on other hosts

Other email providers on Network Solutions