Changing Nameservers

Nameservers define which DNS provider is authoritative for your domain. Change nameservers only when you want another DNS provider to answer DNS queries for the domain.

When you change nameservers, the DNS records in the old DNS zone are no longer used after propagation. Create the required records at the new DNS provider before changing nameservers to avoid downtime.

Before you change nameservers

1. Export or copy the current DNS records.
2. Create the same required records at the new DNS provider.
3. Check that web, mail and verification records exist at the new provider.
4. Lower DNS TTL values before the migration if the current provider allows it.
5. Check whether DNSSEC is enabled. If DNSSEC is enabled, update the DS records for the new provider or remove the old DS records before switching.

Change nameservers

1. Open the domain in the dashboard.
2. Open the nameserver settings.
3. Replace the current nameservers with the nameservers from your new DNS provider.
4. Save the change.
5. Wait for registry and DNS propagation.
6. Verify that the domain resolves through the new nameservers.

Nameservers must usually be valid hostnames such as ns1.example.net and ns2.example.net. Some TLDs require at least two nameservers.

Propagation time

Nameserver changes are processed at the registry and then cached by resolvers worldwide. Many changes are visible within a few hours, but full propagation can take up to 24 to 48 hours.

During propagation, some visitors may still use the old nameservers while others already use the new nameservers. Keep both DNS zones configured until traffic has fully moved.

Verify active nameservers

Use a public DNS checker or run:

dig NS example.com
dig @1.1.1.1 NS example.com
dig @8.8.8.8 NS example.com

On Windows PowerShell, use:

Resolve-DnsName example.com -Type NS

If the old nameservers still appear, wait and test again later.