Web site not always showing

[Jeff FV]

I have a website that works well most of the time for most people, but some people are never able to see it, getting instead an error, or site not found, when they follow a link to the site (that works for others, so not the link) or enter the url directly.

The site is a Wordpress blog, hosted on TSO host, the domain name registered With Ionos. I have other Wordpress blogs on the same host (although domian names registered with TSO or 123) and have no similar problems with those sites.

The site is a travel blog, no commercial acitivity through the blog, don’t even have adverts on it. The blog doesn’t have an SSl certificate, but neither do my other blogs/sites that don’t have the same problem.

On my recent travels, in a couple of places I stayed I couldn’t access the blog through the wi-fi, but as soon as I logged off wi-fi and connected my laptop via hot-spot to my mobile data I could access the blog - both to read it, and write new posts. At other places, I could access the blog via wi-fi with no problem.

The site is: http://hap-pea-travels.co.uk/blog-posts/

Given what I have experienced (when I couldn’t access the site, I got a message saying: “ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED”) and what others have reported to me, I suspect that the settings on some wi-fi is preventing the site being shown?

Could it be that the name, with a couple of hyphens, is being seen as “spammy”? Is there another explanation? Is there anything I can do to make it visible to all?

Many thanks to anyone who can shed light on this.

 

[Ozzy]

One test I would do, whilst connected to one of the locations where it is not accessible is to change your DNS servers to OpenDNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and then try again.
If it is accessible then it's a DNS problem, and could be being blocked in that country. If you is not accessible even after changing the DNS servers then it could be being blocked by a content filter at that location.

 

[fisicx]

Some browsers/ISPs reject sites without SSL. Most hosts offer this as standard (for free).

Whois says you are hosted by GoDaddy not TSO. And you have some weird nameservers.

So it could be your site configuration, the nameservers, the browsers, security settings or a combination of things.

 

[Jeff FV]

Thanks for your reply @Ozzy

I don't think the site is being blocked by country - most people who can't access the site are in the UK, as are most people who can access the site. Similarly, I've recently been travelling around Greece, and in most places I could access the site when logged in to wi-fi (in the accommodation I was staying at), but at a couple of places I couldn't access the site when logged in to wi-fi. When on my mobile data, I could always access the site

 

[DontAsk]

Seems like WIFi is an issue. Are the people who cannot log in from the UK using Wifi? Their own, or some other provider such as a hotel?

 

[UKSBD]

Has your host blocked all of BT (or another big UK broadband provider)?

 

[gpietersz]

Its a DNS issue. Changing DNS server fixes/breaks it.

 

[Jeff FV]

Its a DNS issue. Changing DNS server fixes/breaks it.

Thanks for this (and your earlier version of your reply that you have edited? I did see that, and it was helpful)

Please forgive me: I am an enthusiastic amateur and whilst what you have written makes sense to me, I don't fully understand it and, more importantly, how to resolve it.

How do I change DNS server? The domain name (IONOS) and actual web hosting (TSO host) are with two different companies. Do I change the nameservers on my IONOS settings, or is it something I do through my host (cPanel?)

I did consider transfering the domain name to 123 reg (I have another website on the same host with the domain reg'ed with 123 and that works fine)

Once again, sorry for the questions, and I am really grateful for your (and everyone who has replied) help

Thanks

 

[gpietersz]

As @fisicx said it looks like your DNS is pointing ta GoDaddy. Why some ISPs are resolving it correctly is something I cannot explain. Other DNS also does the same.

if you fix your DNS it should resolve within an hour with most ISPs.

 

[gpietersz]

Thanks for this (and your earlier version of your reply that you have edited? I did see that, and it was helpful)

Please forgive me: I am an enthusiastic amateur and whilst what you have written makes sense to me, I don't fully understand it and, more importantly, how to resolve it.

How do I change DNS server? The domain name (IONOS) and actual web hosting (TSO host) are with two different companies. Do I change the nameservers on my IONOS settings, or is it something I do through my host (cPanel?)

I did consider transfering the domain name to 123 reg (I have another website on the same host with the domain reg'ed with 123 and that works fine)

Once again, sorry for the questions, and I am really grateful for your (and everyone who has replied) help

Thanks

I removed the earlier version because I realised my previous conclusion was wrong!

To resolve the DNS issue you to login to IONOS and change the nameserver to one TSO provides (I assume they do). If you have any services not provided by TSO (e.g. email) on the domain you need to enter those in TSO's DNS settings for your site. https://www.ionos.co.uk/help/domain...ers/using-your-own-name-servers-for-a-domain/

You could instead see if you can configure your DNS at IONOS with the IP address from TSO.

 

[Jeff FV]

I removed the earlier version because I realised my previous conclusion was wrong!

To resolve the DNS issue you to login to IONOS and change the nameserver to one TSO provides (I assume they do). If you have any services not provided by TSO (e.g. email) on the domain you need to enter those in TSO's DNS settings for your site. https://www.ionos.co.uk/help/domain...ers/using-your-own-name-servers-for-a-domain/

You could instead see if you can configure your DNS at IONOS with the IP address from TSO.

Brilliant thanks.

I have something I need to do for the next few hours, but will try this later and report back.

Thanks again

 

[fisicx]

It’s possible ionos is pointing to godaddy who then redirect to TSO.

 

[Jenny Feneley1]

Isn't it possible that the wi-fi providers block non-secure websites on their firewall? non-secure wi-fi is already risky, maybe they are limiting the risk?

 

[fisicx]

Isn't it possible that the wi-fi providers block non-secure websites on their firewall? non-secure wi-fi is already risky, maybe they are limiting the risk?

That’s correct. Which is why SSL is always better. And free with most decent hosts.

 

[gpietersz]

It’s possible ionos is pointing to godaddy who then redirect to TSO.

Already looked at that. It returns a 404 not found to for the URL OP posted, and a redirect to an IONOS default site for the home page.

Isn't it possible that the wi-fi providers block non-secure websites on their firewall? non-secure wi-fi is already risky, maybe they are limiting the risk?

Not what is happening in this case. Changing the DNS seemed to work. it not provider level blocking because I have the problem with desktop but not mobile in my home network,.

I am pretty sure its DNS. Either that of Apache is misconfigured (that was the suggestion in the comment I deleted)

 

[YuriyZaletskyy]

According to ping, executed in powershell, such website doesn't have IP address.
According to whois, https://www.whois.com/whois/hap-pea-travels.co.uk
ownership of the website is by ionos.com . You need to navigate to ionons.com ( if you bought website from them ) or another hosting provider, from who you've bought a website, and point hap-pea-travels.co.uk to proper IP address.

 

[Jeff FV]

I think I may have broken things!

I have logged on to my IONOS account, and changed the nameservers to those on my TSO Host.

Now the site seems to load on some devices, but not others. I do wonder if those where it is loading is because the site is cached?

Or is it just that the nameserver change has not propagated across the web?

 

[YuriyZaletskyy]

On average it may take up to 72 hours for all DNS records to be updated worldwide. Especially with small hosting providers, as IONOS.

 

[fisicx]

According to ping, executed in powershell, such website doesn't have IP address.

Yes it does:

92.205.5.199

 

[Ozzy]

Yes it does:

92.205.5.199

Not for me, it doesn't have an IP address;


~> ping hap-pea-travels.co.uk
ping: cannot resolve hap-pea-travels.co.uk: Unknown host

 

[fisicx]

Or is it just that the nameserver change has not propagated across the web?

Correct. Because it was all messed up before the DNS serves are a bit confused. Give it 24 hours and everything should be OK.

But move away from ionos and tso if possible

 

[fisicx]

Not for me, it doesn't have an IP address;


~> ping hap-pea-travels.co.uk
ping: cannot resolve hap-pea-travels.co.uk: Unknown host

Probably because they have changed the DNS settings. Try again tomorrow

 

[Jeff FV]

Thanks to all for your continued help, support, advice and patience.

I won't touch anything for 24 hours or so, and see how things pan out ....

 

[YuriyZaletskyy]

Not for me, it doesn't have an IP address;


~> ping hap-pea-travels.co.uk
ping: cannot resolve hap-pea-travels.co.uk: Unknown host

yep, for now you'll need patience. Just checked ping, not yet valid. Wait up to 72 hours.

 

[UKSBD]

TSO are in the process of migrating things to the 123 Reg (Godaddy) system and doing away with the TSO brand.

I had a few sites on a legacy vidahost account, they moved it to their closest cPanel equivalent account, problem is, that didn't have SSL and sites went offline.

Was the final inspiration I needed to just move everything elsewhere.

Edit to add: More here - https://www.reddit.com/r/webhosting/comments/1ekmsup/tsohost_in_the_uk_is_shutting_down/

 

[gpietersz]

TSO are in the process of migrating things to the 123 Reg (Godaddy) system and doing away with the TSO brand.

I had a few sites on a legacy vidahost account, they moved it to their closest cPanel equivalent account, problem is, that didn't have SSL and sites went offline.

Was the final inspiration I needed to just move everything elsewhere.

Edit to add: More here - https://www.reddit.com/r/webhosting/comments/1ekmsup/tsohost_in_the_uk_is_shutting_down/

That explains why @fisicx and I saw indications it was Godaddy hosting. I noticed the name servers.

 

[Kent House Digital]

Hello Jeff. You currently have no live DNS zone file at all.

• The domain hap-pea-travels.co.uk is registered with IONOS/1AND1 (I never enjoy writing those words).
• On the IONOS domain management system you have it set for the domain to use GoDaddy's nameservers (ns37.domaincontrol.com and ns38.domaincontrol.com in this case).
• But there seem to be no records for the domain held on the GoDaddy servers.
• To resolve the problem you need to update the domain record at IONOS to specify nameservers that contain the DNS zone file for your domain.
• For simplicity, it should be easiest to hold your DNS records with TSOHost. In your hosting control panel at TSOHost there should be a setting to manage the DNS records they hold. You need to check that they are TSOHost defaults (i.e. they haven't been manually changed). If you run an email service on that domain provided by another party (eg. Gmail or Microsoft365), you'll need to ensure that the correct DNS records for that are also there on the TSOHost nameserver.
• The last step is to update the domain record at IONOS by replacing the current nameservers (ns37.domaincontrol.com and ns38.domaincontrol.com) with the ones for TSOHost. I believe they are ns1.tsodns.com and ns2.tsodns.com, but it is some time since we have used TSO and the may have changed, so check first.
• It will take a little time for IONOS to update the nameservers they are not the fastest in the business) and for that change then to propagate.
• Finally, you really must implement SSL if you want anybody to be able to view and use your website. I would imagine that TSO offer a free SSL facility through Let's Encrypt or similar. Even if you have to purchase a commercial SSL certificate it should cost less than £10 for the year.

Best wishes.
Kevin Holdridge, Kent House Digital Marketing

 

[gpietersz]

Hello Jeff. You currently have no live DNS zone file at all.

• The domain hap-pea-travels.co.uk is registered with IONOS/1AND1 (I never enjoy writing those words).
• On the IONOS domain management system you have it set for the domain to use GoDaddy's nameservers (ns37.domaincontrol.com and ns38.domaincontrol.com in this case).
• But there seem to be no records for the domain held on the GoDaddy servers.
• To resolve the problem you need to update the domain record at IONOS to specify nameservers that contain the DNS zone file for your domain.
• For simplicity, it should be easiest to hold your DNS records with TSOHost. In your hosting control panel at TSOHost there should be a setting to manage the DNS records they hold. You need to check that they are TSOHost defaults (i.e. they haven't been manually changed). If you run an email service on that domain provided by another party (eg. Gmail or Microsoft365), you'll need to ensure that the correct DNS records for that are also there on the TSOHost nameserver.
• The last step is to update the domain record at IONOS by replacing the current nameservers (ns37.domaincontrol.com and ns38.domaincontrol.com) with the ones for TSOHost. I believe they are ns1.tsodns.com and ns2.tsodns.com, but it is some time since we have used TSO and the may have changed, so check first.
• It will take a little time for IONOS to update the nameservers they are not the fastest in the business) and for that change then to propagate.
• Finally, you really must implement SSL if you want anybody to be able to view and use your website. I would imagine that TSO offer a free SSL facility through Let's Encrypt or similar. Even if you have to purchase a commercial SSL certificate it should cost less than £10 for the year.

Best wishes.
Kevin Holdridge, Kent House Digital Marketing

That is a good detailed explanation, but I think Jeff needs to check what the current TSO host name servers are. As someone pointed out earlier TSO host is now owned by GoDaddy so the GoDaddy name servers may be the correct ones to use. I think Jeff did change the name servers?

I also found that querying the TSO host name servers above also does not return an IP.

I definitely agree sites should have SSL these days, and it should be cheap and easy to set up, but its not quite true to say its necessary for people to see and use your website. Web browsers will display "insecure" warnings on HTTP sites so that will put most people off.

I do not think TSO Host is a great choice for hosting - not now they are owned by GoDaddy anyway. not as bad as bing owned by EIG, I suppose!

 

[gpietersz]

I am an enthusiastic amateur

Depending on how enthusiastic you are and whether you have the time and would enjoy doing it, it might be worth using a VPS rather than shared hosting. Its not that difficult, and its very good value for money compared to most shared hosting. There is a fair bit to learn (in that you do need a reasonable idea of how DNS works, how to install software on a server OS, and how to configure server software).

I would not normally recommend it to most non-tech people, but the "enthusiastic" bit might make it something that suits you.

 

[UKSBD]

"Domain is registered with another provider, but using our nameservers

If your domain is registered with another provider but you are using our nameservers, you will need to change the nameservers to the ones your registrar provides and transfer all your DNS to them, as we will no longer be able to support external domains with the new DNS settings."

Source: https://help.tsohost.com/knowledge-base/article/12665

I've moved everything away from them now.
I had someone who I help out, who was moved to their most basic plan, which had no SSL and nobody noticed for a few days.

Sent in a support ticket, but decided to switch hosting anyway.
It took 8 days before they even replied to the support ticket.

I've cancelled everything with them now.

 

[Techonis]

tsohost was a service I used. but once I knew they were bought out by GoDaddy, thus the reason it shows GoDaddy Nameservers. I cancelled any services I had with them.

They were a fantastic service provider and based locally in the UK with local support. Shame acquisitions cause misery to clients and customers.

 

[gpietersz]

tsohost was a service I used. but once I knew they were bought out by GoDaddy, thus the reason it shows GoDaddy Nameservers. I cancelled any services I had with them.

They were a fantastic service provider and based locally in the UK with local support. Shame acquisitions cause misery to clients and customers.

It is very common in web hosting, and in tech generally, and many other industries. Businesses of a certain size are bought to extract value - i.e. cut costs but charge the same giving the new owners you huge margins until customers realise and leave - which can take years.

Its called enshittification.

 

[Jeff FV]

Thanks to all for your continued help and suggestions.

Yesterday, I changed the nameservers of my IONOS account (where the domain name is registered) to the nameservers on my TSOHost account (ns37.domaincontrol.com and ns38.domaincontrol.com) These are the same nameservers that my other two sites* on the same TSOHost package have

*(one of those sites is http://www.amathsteacherwrites.co.uk/ and, other than the "not secure" triangle (no SSL) I've had no reported problems for that site, nor ever had problems accessing it myself. The other site is my "personal" blog - I don't mind if other people read it, but its really just a record for me (and family) of what I've done each week.)

Since changing the nameservers, it seems to be hit and miss, sometimes my site loads on all my devices, sometimes it doesn't on some. I put this down to the nameservers info still needing to propagate?

 

[Jeff FV]

Moving forward, I'm more than happy to move away from TSOHost (who I think are now selling to 123?) I ended up with them having initially been hosted by Vidahost - having been recommended them on the forum, and their owner (Dom?) was a member on this forum. I think I have suffered from, as @gpietersz so eloquently puts it "enshittification."!

What I have is three sites, all based on Wordpress: http://www.amathsteacherwrites.co.uk/ http://hap-pea-travels.co.uk/ and my own personal blog. None gets particularly much traffic, I just quite enjoy blogging and do like to look back at what I've done. The maths teacher site has a bit of advertising on, and I might consider putting some adverts on the travel blog, but that's a secondary concern . The three sites are on one TSOHost package, I pay about £140 pa (inc VAT) The next billing cycle is in December (and I next go away in late October, so would like the travel blog problems resolved by then.)

Domain names: the amathsteacherwrites is with 123, the travel blog with IONOS, and my personal blog with TSOHost.

So I'm open to suggestions/recommendations for who to/how to host my three blogs and manage my domain names. I'd probably need some help moving them (my enthusiastic amateur status dates backs a few years and, not only have I not kept up with advances, I've probably forgotten all that I once knew.) I'd like the sites to have an SSL certificate, don't need email or anything else to go with them. I just want to be able to write my posts and have anyone who wants to read them, be able to do so.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[fisicx]

I've been with these guys for years:

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Never had a problem. You only really need one hosting package, you can then set addon domains for the other two. I've got a dedicated server with them so I could look after the sites for you.

These chaps also have a very good rep:

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