Changing the DNS for your domain is a straightforward process that involves the following steps: 2. From the left sidebar, select Domain List and click on the Manage button next to your domain: 3. In the Nameservers section, select your preferred option from the drop-down menu and click on the green checkmark to save the changes:
NOTE: Nameservers are part of the Domain Name System (DNS) database that acts as a directory for devices and the IP addresses attached to them. When registering nameservers, an IP address is assigned to them, and unregistered nameservers cannot work correctly with some domains.
There are four options to choose from:
- Namecheap BasicDNS: If you want to point your domain to Namecheap's default DNS, use the following nameservers:
- dns1.registrar-servers.com
- dns2.registrar-servers.com
- Namecheap Web Hosting DNS: Use this option if you have a Shared Hosting plan with Namecheap and want to point your domain to our hosting nameservers:
- dns1.namecheaphosting.com
- dns2.namecheaphosting.com
NOTE: Once the nameservers are changed, all the custom DNS records for your domain will be overwritten to our hosting ones. You can recreate them in your cPanel Zone Editor and Email Routing menu.
- CustomDNS: If you want to point your domain to custom nameservers (for example, your Personal DNS servers or third-party hosting nameservers), fill in the nameservers provided by your hosting or third-party DNS provider and click on the green checkmark to save the changes:
NOTE:Enter the nameservers in the ns1.example.tld format. If you were provided with both the nameservers and IP addresses, only the nameservers should be inserted as custom nameservers.
- Namecheap PremiumDNS: This is a paid DNS service that can be used with any domain registered at any Registrar. This option is available for the domains that have a PremiumDNS subscription attached.
NOTE: If you change nameservers from custom nameservers to Namecheap's default ones or vice versa, the host records will not be added to the new nameservers automatically. Please make sure to save all the needed settings and set them up manually after the nameservers switch.
Nameservers changes do not propagate instantly. It may take up to 24 hours (more, in rare cases) for local ISPs to update their DNS caches so that everyone can see your website. You can always check your domain name using a proxy server as they do not store cache and will show non-cached information.
Points to keep in mind:
- If the nameservers for .CM domains are changed 3 times within 28 days, the Registry lock is set for such a domain. It will not be possible to remove the lock anyhow after that; just to wait for 28 days to be able to update the nameservers in such a case.
- For .IS domainsat least two different nameservers must be specified and the hosts must not resolve to the same IP address. The DNS zone should be presetup. NS records should have TTL 86400 (24 hours) or more for a domain to be pointed to them.
- The maximum number of nameservers that can be set for .MX domains is 5.
- .TO registry allows setting up to 4 nameservers for a domain name.
- .CA domains must have at least 2 Nameservers, and maximum 6 nameservers per a domain name. Each nameserver must have a unique IP, meaning none of the nameservers can have the same IP. Only one IPv4 address and only one IPv6 address allowed per host.
- .FR domains can be pointed to third-party nameservers. In order for the settings to be configured properly, the SOA record should be created for the domain name at the side of these nameservers beforehand. There are to be at least two nameservers indicated for the domain name.
- Nameservers requirements for .DE domains can be checked in How can I update the nameservers for my .DE domain?.
That's it!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Support Team.
