How to Change Nameservers for Your Domain
Changing your domain's nameservers is an essential step when pointing your domain to a new hosting provider, DNS manager, or custom server setup. This guide will walk you through the process.
What Are Nameservers?
Nameservers act as a bridge between your domain name and the server hosting your website. When you change nameservers, you're essentially updating where your domain points to for its DNS settings.
Why Change Nameservers?
You might need to change nameservers if:
- You're switching hosting providers.
- You’re using a third-party DNS service.
- Your web host requires custom nameservers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Nameservers
Step 1: Log in to Your Domain Registrar
1. Visit your domain registrar’s website (e.g., Hostaffin , GoDaddy, Namecheap).
2. Enter your account credentials to log in.
Step 2: Locate the Domain Management Section
1. Navigate to the Domain Management or My Domains section.
2. Select the domain which one you want to update.
Step 3: Access the Nameserver Settings
1. Look for an option like DNS Settings, Manage DNS, or Nameservers.
2. Click on the option to edit or update nameservers.
Step 4: Enter the New Nameservers
1. Obtain the nameservers from your hosting provider or DNS service (e.g., `ns1.example.com` and `ns2.example.com`).
2. Replace the current nameservers with the new ones.
3. Some registrars provide an option for:
- Default Nameservers: Use the registrar’s default settings.
- Custom Nameservers: Enter the new nameservers manually.
Step 5: Save Your Changes
1. Click Save or Update to apply the new nameserver settings.
2. Confirm your changes if prompted.
Step 6: Allow Time for Propagation
Changes to nameservers can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate worldwide.Most of the time propagate within 2-3 Hours in Maximum DNS provider. During this time, your website might be temporarily inaccessible.
Tips and Best Practices
- Verify the Nameservers: Ensure you copy the nameservers correctly from your hosting provider.
- Backup DNS Settings: Before making changes, take note of the current nameserver details in case you need to revert.
- Check DNS Propagation: Use tools like:
to monitor propagation status.
- Avoid Downtime: Make changes during low-traffic periods to minimize potential disruptions.
Troubleshooting
Website Not Loading: If your website doesn't load after 48 hours, double-check the nameservers and contact your hosting provider.
Caches Issues: Sometimes DNS servers serves from the cache memory.You can clear your DNS cache by
for Chrome: chrome://net-internals/#dns
for Firefox: about:networking#dns
Domain Lock Issues: Some domains might be locked for security. Unlock the domain from your registrar's settings if needed.
Invalid Nameservers: Ensure the nameservers you're using are valid and properly configured by the provider.
By following these steps, you can seamlessly update your domain's nameservers and point it to the desired hosting or DNS setup. If you encounter any issues, reach out to your domain registrar or hosting provider for assistance.
