Setting Up and Using DKIM with Your Domain for MXRoute and MailWizz

Ethan

Here is a detailed guide on setting up and using DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) with your domain, specifically for MXRoute users and MailWizz users.

—

Guide: Setting Up and Using DKIM with Your Domain for MXRoute and MailWizz

What is DKIM?
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that allows the receiving mail server to verify that an email was not tampered with during transmission. This helps improve email deliverability and prevents spoofing.

Prerequisites

A registered domain name
Access to your domain’s DNS settings
An MXRoute email account
A working MailWizz installation

—

Step 1: Setting Up DKIM for MXRoute

1. Log in to MXRoute Control Panel

Navigate to MXRoute and log into your email management panel (DirectAdmin or cPanel).

2. Find Your DKIM Key

In the MXRoute panel, locate Email Deliverability or Authentication settings.
You should see a section for DKIM Keys. If there isn’t one, enable DKIM signing.

3. Copy Your DKIM Public Key

You will see a long DKIM record that starts with v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=....
Copy everything after p=.

4. Add DKIM Record to Your DNS

Go to your domain registrar’s DNS settings (e.g., Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy).
Add a new TXT record:

Host/Name: default._domainkey.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY

Save and wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 24 hours).

5. Verify DKIM is Active

Use MXToolbox DKIM Checker to verify the DKIM record.
If it passes, your MXRoute email is now using DKIM!

—

Step 2: Configuring DKIM in MailWizz

1. Log into MailWizz Admin Panel

Navigate to Backend → Delivery Servers
Select Your Delivery Server (or add a new SMTP server for MXRoute).

2. Enable DKIM in MailWizz

Edit your delivery server settings.
Find the DKIM Section and check “Enable DKIM signing”.
Enter your DKIM selector (default is usually default).

3. Add Your DKIM Private Key to MailWizz

If you have your DKIM private key, paste it into the MailWizz DKIM settings.
If you don’t have it, MXRoute automatically signs emails using its built-in key.

4. Save and Test DKIM Signing

Send a test email.
Check email headers using Gmail or an online header checker to confirm DKIM is applied.

—

Step 3: Additional DNS Records for Email Authentication

1. Add SPF Record

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) prevents email spoofing.

Add this TXT record to your DNS settings:

yourdomain.com TXT "v=spf1 include:mxroute.com ~all"

2. Add DMARC Record (Recommended)

DMARC helps prevent phishing and improves email reputation.

Add this TXT record:

_dmarc.yourdomain.com TXT "v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com"

Change p=none to p=quarantine or p=reject for stricter policies.

—

Step 4: Verifying DKIM, SPF, and DMARC

1. Use Online Tools for Verification

MXToolbox DKIM Checker: Test your DKIM record.
SPF Record Tester: Check SPF settings.
DMARC Analyzer: Validate DMARC settings.

2. Check Your Email Headers

Send a test email to a Gmail account.

Open the email, click “Show Original,” and look for:

Authentication-Results: spf=pass dkim=pass dmarc=pass

If you see “pass” for all, your email authentication is correctly set up!

—

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue: DKIM Failing in MailWizz

Make sure DKIM signing is enabled in MailWizz.
Ensure your domain’s DNS TXT record is correct.
Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours).

Issue: Emails Going to Spam

Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings.
Check your domain/IP against blacklists.
Use Mail-Tester (Check here) to analyze your email reputation.

Issue: DKIM Signature Missing in Sent Emails

Confirm that your SMTP server (MXRoute) is signing emails.
Some email providers (like Gmail) may delay DKIM propagation.

—

Conclusion
By setting up DKIM with MXRoute and configuring it correctly in MailWizz, you ensure better email deliverability and protect your domain from spoofing. Pairing it with SPF and DMARC further strengthens your email authentication.