DNS 3 NXDOMAIN vs 16 BADVERS/BADSIG
Both DNS 3 (NXDOMAIN) and 16 (BADVERS/BADSIG) 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, 16 means that bad OPT Version or TSIG Signature Failure. Either the EDNS version in the OPT record is not supported, or the TSIG signature on the message failed verification.
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
Bad OPT Version or TSIG Signature Failure. Either the EDNS version in the OPT record is not supported, or the TSIG signature on the message failed verification.
When You See It
As BADVERS: your client sent an EDNS version higher than the server supports. As BADSIG: the TSIG MAC on the message did not match, indicating a shared-secret mismatch or message tampering.
How to Fix
For BADVERS, downgrade the EDNS version (most servers support version 0 only). For BADSIG, regenerate and re-synchronize the TSIG shared secret on both endpoints.
Key Differences
DNS 3: Non-Existent Domain. The queried domain name does not exist in the DNS namespace.
DNS 16: Bad OPT Version or TSIG Signature Failure. Either the EDNS version in the OPT record is not supported, or the TSIG signature on the message failed verification.
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 16 when as BADVERS: your client sent an EDNS version higher than the server supports. As BADSIG: the TSIG MAC on the message did not match, indicating a shared-secret mismatch or message tampering.
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 16 (BADVERS/BADSIG): For BADVERS, downgrade the EDNS version (most servers support version 0 only). For BADSIG, regenerate and re-synchronize the TSIG shared secret on both endpoints.