Why Your Website Works on www but Not Without It (and How to Fix It)
By Jumbe Nylon, Founder & CTO, SakuraHost. Updated October 15, 2026.
Short answer
The root domain (yourbusiness.co.tz) and www.yourbusiness.co.tz are two separate DNS names, and each needs its own record. If www works and the root does not, the root A record is missing or points to an old server. Add an A record for the root, remove old ones, and set one name to redirect to the other.
Key takeaways
- Root and www are different names in DNS. Each needs a record.
- The root domain uses an A record. www usually uses a CNAME.
- An old A record on the root often causes parked pages and certificate warnings.
- Choose one main name and redirect the other to it, so search engines see one site.
You set up your website, add your domain, and it loads when you type www.yourbusiness.co.tz. Then a customer tells you that typing yourbusiness.co.tz shows an error, an old page, or a security warning. It is one of the most common domain problems, and it is also one of the easiest to fix once you know why it happens.
This guide explains the difference between the root domain and www, the records each one needs, how to spot the problem, and how to decide which version should be your main address.
Root domain versus www: they are different names
The root domain (also called the apex or naked domain) is just yourbusiness.co.tz. The www version is a subdomain, www.yourbusiness.co.tz. People think of them as the same site, but in DNS they are two separate names. Each can point to a different server, and each needs its own record.
A visitor can type either, and browsers, links and old business cards use both. So both names have to work, or one of them has to redirect to the other.
Which records each name needs
| Name | Record type | Points to |
|---|---|---|
| yourbusiness.co.tz (root) | A record | The IP address your website platform gives you |
| www.yourbusiness.co.tz | CNAME record | The address of your website platform, for example your-site.netlify.app |
The exact values come from your platform: Netlify, Vercel, Blogger, a website builder or your hosting. See connect your domain to Netlify, Vercel or Blogger for examples.
Why one name works and the other does not
- Only the www CNAME was added. The root A record was never created, so the root has nothing to point to.
- An old A record still exists. The root domain still points to a previous server, such as old hosting, and shows a default or parked page.
- The platform redirects the root to www, but the root record is wrong. The redirect never runs because the visitor never reaches the platform.
- Cache. Your device or network still remembers the old address for a while after you fix the record.
If you see a default page with a message about an IP address changing, read domain shows a parked page.
How to diagnose it in two minutes
Open your DNS records
In the client area open your domain and choose DNS Records. For .tz domains this is the Sakura DNS Manager.
List the records for both names
Look for an A record on the root domain and a CNAME on www. Note every value.
Compare with your platform
Open the custom domain page of your platform and check each value matches.
Test from outside
Try the site on mobile data, in a private window, and with a public DNS lookup tool. This shows what the world sees, not your device cache.
The fix: add the root record and remove old ones
Add an A record for the root domain with the address your platform provides. If an older A record exists on the root pointing to a previous server, delete it. Having two A records that point to different servers sends some visitors to the wrong place.
Make sure www has a CNAME and that there is no A record on www as well, because a name should not have a CNAME and an A record at the same time. Save the changes, wait a few minutes to a few hours, and test again. The detailed checklist is in domain not working after a DNS change.
Do not delete your MX and TXT records while editing. They keep your email working. See keep email working when the website is elsewhere.
Choose one main address and redirect the other
Once both names reach the same site, decide which one is your main address, then redirect the other to it with a permanent (301) redirect. Pick www if you use a CNAME-only platform, or the root domain if you prefer a shorter address. What matters is consistency: use the same version on your business cards, social profiles and Google Business Profile.
This also helps search engines. If both versions show your site without a redirect, Google may treat them as two sites with duplicate content, which can weaken your ranking. A 301 redirect passes the ranking to the main version. Most platforms have a setting for it, and for cPanel hosting you can use the Redirects tool. See how to redirect one domain to another.
Certificate warnings on one name
If only one version shows a certificate warning, such as NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID, the certificate does not cover that name or the name still points to an old server. Fix the record first, then make sure your platform issues a certificate for both names. We explain this in certificate error on only www or the root domain.
Frequently asked questions
Why does www work but not the root domain?
The root domain and www are separate DNS names. The root domain probably has no A record, or it points to an old server. Add or correct the A record.
Should I use www or no www?
Either works. Choose one as your main address and redirect the other to it with a 301 redirect, and use it everywhere.
Can I have an A record and a CNAME on the same name?
No. A name cannot have both. Use an A record for the root and a CNAME for www.
How long until the fix works?
Often minutes, and usually within a few hours. Clear your cache or test on another network.
Will fixing this affect my email?
No, as long as you leave the MX and TXT records alone.
Does this matter for SEO?
Yes. If both versions serve the site without a redirect, search engines can see duplicate content. A 301 redirect from one to the other fixes that.
Step-by-step help articles
These knowledge base guides go deeper on the practical steps, and our support team uses them every day.
- Website Works on www but Not Without It (or the Other Way Round)
- Domain Shows a Parked Page or "IP Address Changed" Message
- Certificate Error on Only www or the Root Domain (NET::ERR_CERT)
- How to Redirect One Domain to Another (URL Forwarding)
- Domain Not Working After a DNS Change: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Related guides
Connect Your .co.tz Domain to Netlify, Vercel or Blogger (Step by Step)
Built a site on Netlify, Vercel or Blogger? Here is exactly which DNS records to add, where to add them, and how to avoid the mistakes that break HTTPS and email.
Cloudflare with a .co.tz Domain: When It Helps and How to Set It Up
Cloudflare can speed up and protect your website, but moving your DNS there has side effects. Here is when it is worth it and how to do it without breaking email.
About SakuraHost
SakuraHost Network & IT Solutions is a TZNIC-accredited domain registrar and web host, founded in 2019 by Jumbe Nylon. We register .co.tz, .tz and global domains and provide hosting, business email, VPS and web app hosting to businesses, NGOs and startups across Tanzania, payable in TZS with M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, Airtel Money and bank transfer.
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