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All tutorialsRegistrar setup · Namecheap

Set up email on a Namecheap domain

Namecheap has its own DNS-record walkthrough, and we link to it for the registrar-side clicks. What this guide adds: the exact values to paste, the order to add records in (including the Mail Settings dropdown you have to switch first), and how to confirm it worked in MailSprout.

Last verified: May 27, 2026

Before you start

  • You own the domain on Namecheap and can sign in at namecheap.com.
  • You've already added the domain inside MailSprout (do that first if you haven't).
  • 5-10 minutes of uninterrupted time.
1

Sign in and open Advanced DNS

Go to your Namecheap domain list (opens in a new tab) and sign in.

Find the domain you're setting up. Click Manage next to it, then click the Advanced DNS tab at the top of the page.

How to add TXT/SPF/DKIM/DMARC records · Namecheap KB (opens in a new tab)
Opens Namecheap's official help article. They keep this up to date with their current UI, so if the steps on their site look different from what we describe, follow their version.
2

Switch Mail Settings to Custom MX

At the top of the Advanced DNS page is a Mail Settingsdropdown. It's often set to “Email Forwarding” or “Private Email” by default. Change it to Custom MX. This unlocks the ability to point email at a third-party provider.

How to add TXT/SPF/DKIM/DMARC records · Namecheap KB (opens in a new tab)
Opens Namecheap's official help article. They keep this up to date with their current UI, so if the steps on their site look different from what we describe, follow their version.
If you currently use Namecheap's Email Forwarding or Private Emailon this domain, switching to Custom MX will stop those services. Make sure you've migrated your old mail first using our migration guides.
3

Delete any existing email records

Scroll down to the records table and delete any of these you find; they'll conflict with the new records you're about to add:

  • Any record of type MX
  • Any TXT record starting with v=spf1
  • Any CNAME with name autoconfig or autodiscover
  • Any TXT record with name _dmarc
4

Add the MailSprout DNS records

Click ADD NEW RECORD for each row below. For Host, use the value as shown. Namecheap accepts both @ and a blank field for the apex.

MXTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
fusion.mxrouting.net (priority 10)
Namecheap has a separate "Priority" field. Set MX priority to 10.
MXTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
fusion-relay.mxrouting.net (priority 20)
A second MX as the backup. Priority 20 means Namecheap only uses this if the priority 10 host is unreachable.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
v=spf1 include:mxroute.com -all
SPF record. Tells receivers which servers can send as your domain.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
(copy from dashboard)
Value
(copy from dashboard)
Both the host and the value for this record are unique to your domain. Open your MailSprout dashboard and copy them exactly as shown. Do NOT add your domain to the Host field; Namecheap auto-appends it.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
_dmarc
Value
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com
Replace yourdomain.com in the rua= line with your actual domain.

Leave TTL at the default (typically 3600 / 1 hour) on every row.

How to add TXT/SPF/DKIM/DMARC records · Namecheap KB (opens in a new tab)
Opens Namecheap's official help article. They keep this up to date with their current UI, so if the steps on their site look different from what we describe, follow their version.
Namecheap quirk: the Host field auto-appends your domain. For the DKIM record, enter exactly the host shown in your MailSprout dashboard (something like x._domainkey), not the full x._domainkey.yourdomain.com. Same for _dmarc.
5

Verify in MailSprout

Wait 2-5 minutes for DNS to propagate, then head back to your MailSprout dashboard. Click into the domain you added and press Verify DNS.

Status flips to Ready on success. If it fails, scroll down to Troubleshooting.

6

Add your first email account

On the verified domain page, click Add account, type a name (like hello or you), and submit. You'll get a generated password and QR code for instant Apple Mail setup.

Troubleshooting

Verification fails. What do I check?
Three causes, in order of frequency. (1)DNS hasn't propagated . Wait another 5 minutes and retry. (2)Mail Settings is still on “Email Forwarding” or “Private Email”, must be Custom MX. (3) The Host field for the DKIM record has the full domain appended (e.g., x._domainkey.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com) because you typed it in by mistake. Use exactly the host shown in your MailSprout dashboard and Namecheap handles the rest.
I see Namecheap Private Email or Forward Email warnings.
Those services are mutually exclusive with Custom MX. Once you switch to Custom MX, those Namecheap email products stop working on this domain. If you were paying for Private Email, contact Namecheap support to cancel/refund.
Namecheap is pushing me to buy "PremiumDNS". Is it required?
No. Standard Namecheap DNS supports every record we need (MX, TXT, CNAME). PremiumDNS adds DDoS protection and faster propagation; nice-to-have but not required.
The domain is registered with Namecheap but uses different nameservers.
Check the Nameserverssetting on the Domain tab. If it's set to something other than “Namecheap BasicDNS” or “Namecheap Web Hosting DNS,” DNS is managed elsewhere (Cloudflare, registrar transfer, etc.) and these instructions won't apply. You'd need to set the records at whatever service hosts your DNS.

On a different registrar?

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Stuck on a step?

Email support@mailsprout.io with the step number and a screenshot. We reply same day.