Why does my browser keep loading my old website

[gib88]

Hello,

I am wondering why my browser keeps going to my old website after I changed the A record to point to a new website. I registered my domain name with godaddy.com. Initially, I tried using their web builder tools but became dissatisfied with how limited they were. So I built my website from scratch using basic HTML, CSS, and Javascript and deployed it to my own server. Then I went into my account at godaddy.com and changed the A record to point to my server. I gave it 24 hours and then tested it. It worked. I could see my new website on my server.

But then I tried viewing it in Edge (I was using Chrome before this) and it went to the old website. I cleared all my data and tried again. This seemed to work. Then on a later day, I tried it again in Chrome and again it went to the old website. I tried it in Edge and again it went to the old website. I checked the A record at godaddy.com and it was correct (pointing to the new website). I looked into proxy server settings and ensured it was turned off but this didn't work either.

Why do my browsers keep going back to the old website? Clearing my data doesn't help as it keeps coming back. Where is it coming back from? It can't be a proxy server since I have my proxy settings turned off. Can anyone explain why this is happening? Thank you.

 

[tehnokraat]

Maybe you can elaborate because I can't figure out how your system is built and how it is set up via A Records. Are you using DNS servers?
Personally, I always prefer using nameservers whenever possible. Isn't it possible on your case?

 

[gib88]

Thanks kalju, but I resolved the issue. I set my IP settings to point to google's DNS with 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and now my browsers are consistently going to the new website. But I'll answer your question anyway. I'm running Windows 10 on a Mac computer and I'm hosting my website with AWS.

 

[tehnokraat]

Glad you got it resolved. I have to admit that I don't know AWS, I've never used it.
So I wouldn't be able to give any good recommendations in this regard.

 

[Software Dev Expert]

What data did you clear? Browser cache and browsing history ?

Let me check if i hear you correctly. So the new website displays in chrome but the old one displays in edge?

 

[Software Dev Expert]

And are these browsers on the same computer and under the same connection? If not, I would suggest clearig the DNS cache. If yes, I’d suggest the browser cache being the potential problem.

https://www.a2hosting.co.uk/kb/gett...rking/clearing-the-dns-cache-on-your-computer for instructions on clearing the DNS cache.

Let me know how you get on

 

[gib88]

Sorry for the late reply, Cheeky. I've moved on from this thread since finding my solution (see my post dated Oct 9 above).

However, for the record, I'll answer your questions. Yes, I cleared both cache and browsing history in both browsers. Initially, the new website showed in Chrome but not Edge, then later it stopped showing in both. Same computer, same connection. However, my dad also tried to visit the site on his phone which had never been to the site before (so there shouldn't be a cache of the old website on his phone) and it brought up the old site.

I'll read the link you posted and see if I can try that on my dad's phone (though it seems geared towards computers, not phones, but I'll see what I can do). Even if this works however, there must be a way of ensuring the proxy or DNS server (wherever the old website is being cached) updates properly in a timely manner. I can't have visitors to my site needing to know how to clear their DNS cache before visiting the site.

 

[petergroft29]

Flush the DNS cache
If when visiting your site's domain in your browser, you are still seeing your old website come up (even hours after the correct DNS settings were entered), it may be that your computer or network is still using the old (cached) DNS information for your site.

Regards,
Peter

 

[JayMbeet]

Sounds like you're dealing with a pesky browser cache issue. Sometimes browsers like to hang onto old versions of websites to speed things up, but it can be super annoying when you're trying to see your latest updates.

 

[JayMbeet]

Sounds like you're dealing with a pesky browser cache issue. Sometimes browsers like to hang onto old versions of websites to speed things up, but it can be super annoying when you're trying to see your latest updates.

Here's a quick fix you can try: first, clear your browser's cache and cookies. That usually does the trick by getting rid of the old stuff and forcing the browser to fetch the latest version of your site. Each browser does this a bit differently, so you might need to google it for your specific browser (like google business seo, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). Another thing to check is if your website changes are live. Sometimes updates might not have been published properly or there could be a delay in them going live. If you've done both of these and still see the old site, it might be worth checking if your hosting provider has cached versions of your site. Some of them do this for performance reasons, but you can usually ask them to refresh it for you.