Namecheap Private Email + DreamHost

Set up Namecheap Private Email on DreamHost

The records Namecheap Private Email needs, written with the field names DreamHost uses (Host, Custom MX Records, TXT Value, Points to), in the order to add them.

  • 5 steps
  • 6 DNS records

Before you start

  1. Have your Namecheap Private Email account ready. Some values are unique to your account and come from the Namecheap account (Private Email) .
  2. Open DNS at DreamHost: In the DreamHost panel, go to Manage Websites. Select the three-dot button under your domain, then DNS Settings.
  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 Namecheap account (Private Email)” are unique to your account.

MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 10 mx1.privateemail.com Priority in the value TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 10 mx2.privateemail.com Priority in the value TTL Default
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Host Leave empty Value v=spf1 include:spf.privateemail.com ~all Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type TXT Host privateemail._domainkey Value Copy from Namecheap account (Private Email) Priority n/a TTL Default
DMARC record What to do with fakes · recommended Type TXT Host _dmarc Value v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com Priority n/a TTL Default
Autodiscover Automatic app setup · recommended Type CNAME Host autodiscover Value privateemail.com Priority n/a TTL Default

Step by step in DreamHost

Point your MX records

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

Type
MX
Host
Leave this field empty
Custom MX Records
10 mx1.privateemail.com
Type
MX
Host
Leave this field empty
Custom MX Records
10 mx2.privateemail.com

In DreamHost

  1. Open the Custom MX page in the panel and click Edit to the right of your domain.
  2. In Custom MX Records, enter each record as the priority, a space, then the server (for example 1 ASPMX.GOOGLE.COM). Don't add @ or a final dot.
  3. Click Change this domain to use custom MX records now!
  4. Repeat for each MX record above.

Add the SPF record

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

Type
TXT
Host
Leave this field empty
TXT Value
v=spf1 include:spf.privateemail.com ~all

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Set up DKIM

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

Type
TXT
Host
privateemail._domainkey
TXT Value
Copy it from Namecheap account (Private Email) (see below)

Host: Subscriptions bought on or after June 2, 2026 use privateemail._domainkey; older ones use default._domainkey.

Where to find your value

In your Namecheap account open the Private Email menu, click Manage next to your domain, then click Generate under DKIM and copy the value.

  • Namecheap calls DKIM a mandatory entry for outgoing mail to work correctly.
  • Paste the whole value into one field; don't split it.
  • It normally takes about 60 minutes to take effect.

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Add the DMARC record (recommended)

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

Type
TXT
Host
_dmarc
TXT Value
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Add the Autodiscover record (recommended)

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

Type
CNAME
Host
autodiscover
Points to
privateemail.com
  • Optional. Namecheap also lists optional mail and autoconfig CNAMEs pointing to privateemail.com.

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the CNAME section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (a subdomain, never the root) and Points to.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

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 DreamHost’s words.

We only read public DNS records. Nothing is stored.

Common mistakes with Namecheap Private Email on DreamHost

Using the wrong DKIM host name

Subscriptions bought before June 2, 2026 use default._domainkey; newer ones use privateemail._domainkey.

Splitting the DKIM value

Namecheap warns not to put part of the value in one field and the rest in another. Paste the full string in one field.

DreamHost: Custom MX turns off DreamHost email

Once custom MX records are added, email is no longer delivered to DreamHost and the domain's DreamHost mailboxes are deactivated.

1 more Namecheap Private Email mistake to avoid

Visit Namecheap Private Email Visit DreamHost

Namecheap Private Email on DreamHost: questions

Where do I add Namecheap Private Email DNS records in DreamHost?

In the DreamHost panel, go to Manage Websites. Select the three-dot button under your domain, then DNS Settings. Add each record there, one at a time.

What goes in the Host field at DreamHost?

Leave it empty for records on your bare domain, such as MX and SPF. For the others, enter only the part before your domain, for example _dmarc. DreamHost adds your domain automatically.

Do I need to delete my existing MX records at DreamHost?

Yes. Sending servers pick an MX record by its priority (lowest number first) and fall back to the others, so a leftover MX record can receive some or all of your mail. Keep only the Namecheap Private Email MX records and delete the rest. Once custom MX records are added, email is no longer delivered to DreamHost and the domain's DreamHost mailboxes are deactivated.

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.

Namecheap Private Email on other hosts

Other email providers on DreamHost