DNS 3 NXDOMAIN vs 10 NOTZONE
Both DNS 3 (NXDOMAIN) and 10 (NOTZONE) belong to the DNS Response Codes (RCODEs) category. 3 indicates that non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace. Meanwhile, 10 means that name not contained in zone. A name used in the Prerequisite or Update section is not within the zone denoted by the Zone section.
Description
Non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace.
When You See It
The domain has no DNS records at all — either it was never registered, has expired, or you have a typo in the hostname.
How to Fix
Double-check the domain spelling. If you own the domain, verify your registrar settings and ensure the nameservers are correctly delegated.
Description
Name not contained in zone. A name used in the Prerequisite or Update section is not within the zone denoted by the Zone section.
When You See It
Your dynamic update tried to modify a record that falls outside the zone specified in the update message (e.g., updating foo.example.org in the example.com zone).
How to Fix
Ensure all names in the update are within the target zone. Check for typos in the zone name or the records being updated.
Key Differences
DNS 3: Non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace.
DNS 10: Name not contained in zone. A name used in the Prerequisite or Update section is not within the zone denoted by the Zone section.
You encounter 3 when the domain has no DNS records at all — either it was never registered, has expired, or you have a typo in the hostname.
You encounter 10 when your dynamic update tried to modify a record that falls outside the zone specified in the update message (e.g., updating foo.example.org in the example.com zone).
When to Use Which
For 3 (NXDOMAIN): Double-check the domain spelling. If you own the domain, verify your registrar settings and ensure the nameservers are correctly delegated. For 10 (NOTZONE): Ensure all names in the update are within the target zone. Check for typos in the zone name or the records being updated.