Quick Guide: Change Domain Nameservers to New Host

Navigating the technical side of managing your website can feel like deciphering an ancient script, especially when it comes to fundamental concepts like nameservers. Many aspiring website owners and even seasoned developers hit a frustrating roadblock when it's time to change their domain's nameservers, often when switching to a new hosting provider. The fear of "breaking" your site or losing access is real – we've all been there.

But what if we told you it doesn't have to be a bewildering ordeal?

Think of your domain's nameservers as its personal GPS 📍, constantly directing visitors to the correct server where your website resides. When you move your site to a new host, updating these digital directions is non-negotiable to ensure your online presence remains seamless and accessible to everyone.

This comprehensive guide is designed to transform that tech-induced anxiety into confident action. We’ve meticulously crafted beginner-friendly steps, complete with clear screenshots and expert tips, to demystify the process. Get ready to learn exactly how to update your domain’s nameservers and flawlessly point it to your new web host – step-by-step, with zero guesswork involved. Let's make this vital website management task simple and stress-free.

Demystifying Nameservers: Your Website's GPS

What exactly are nameservers, and why are they so crucial? At their core, nameservers are an integral part of the Domain Name System (DNS), serving as the bridge that connects your human-readable domain name (like yourwebsite.com) to the numerical IP address of the server where your website files are stored. They're the silent conductors, telling web browsers precisely where to find your site on the vast internet.

Imagine your domain name is a street address, and the nameservers are the advanced GPS guiding your visitors straight to your doorstep (your hosting server). When someone types your domain into their browser, the DNS system consults your domain's assigned nameservers, which in turn direct the request to your hosting provider.

For instance, if your website is hosted on Bluehost, your nameservers might look something like this:

ns1.bluehost.com ns2.bluehost.com

These critical pointers are typically managed by your hosting provider. They ensure a smooth, uninterrupted connection, allowing your website to load flawlessly for every visitor.

Crucial Moments: Why and When to Update Your Domain Nameservers

While nameservers generally remain static, there are a few pivotal scenarios where updating them becomes essential for your website's functionality and security. Understanding these situations prevents unexpected downtime and ensures your site performs optimally.

Here are the primary reasons you'll need to change your nameservers:

Migrating Your Website to a New Hosting Provider: This is the most common reason. When you transfer your website to a new host, your domain's nameservers must be updated to direct traffic to the new server. Failing to do so means your visitors will continue to be sent to your old host, which will eventually delete your site's files once your plan expires, leading to your site becoming inaccessible.
Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or CDN: Services like Cloudflare or Sucuri, which provide security and performance enhancements, often require you to point your domain's nameservers directly to them. This allows the WAF to filter malicious traffic and optimize content delivery before it even reaches your hosting server, providing an essential layer of protection. Many WordPress WAF plugins operate this way.

Beyond these critical scenarios, you'll rarely need to adjust your primary nameservers. However, you might occasionally need to tweak other DNS records, such as updating MX records for a professional email setup. We highly recommend establishing your business email address after your nameservers have been successfully updated to your new host.

With this crucial understanding in mind, let's explore the step-by-step process of painlessly updating your domain's nameservers and directing traffic to your new hosting environment.

Step-by-Step: Updating Your Domain Nameservers Like a Pro

Changing your domain's nameservers is a straightforward process, though the exact interface might vary slightly depending on your domain name registrar. The fundamental steps, however, remain remarkably consistent across providers.

We'll walk you through the instructions for several popular domain registrars and web hosting companies. Use the quick links below to jump directly to your host's specific section:

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Before you begin, ensure you have the exact nameserver records from your new web host. They commonly follow a pattern like ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com, though some hosts might use IP addresses. It’s crucial to use the exact information provided by your new host.

Keep in mind that nameserver changes are not instantaneous. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (or up to 48 hours for global propagation) for the updates to take full effect across the internet. Patience is key if your website doesn't appear immediately.

Changing Your Nameservers with Domain.com

Domain.com stands as a leading domain registrar, making it simple to register your domain and host your website elsewhere.

To update your nameservers:

Log in to your Domain.com account.
In the left-hand sidebar, click the ‘DNS & Nameservers’ link.
Verify that the correct domain is selected at the top of the screen in the breadcrumb navigation.
Scroll down to the NS records section. You'll typically see ns1.domain.com and ns2.domain.com.
Click the three vertical dots next to ns1.domain.com and select ‘Edit’.
In the pop-up, type your new nameserver into the ‘Content’ box (e.g., ns1.bluehost.com), then click ‘Update DNS’.
Repeat this process for the ns2.domain.com record.

You’ve successfully pointed your domain to your new host!

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Changing Your Nameservers with Bluehost

Bluehost is a widely recognized WordPress web hosting provider that also functions as a domain registrar. If your domain is registered with them, updating nameservers is a breeze.

Here’s how:

Log in to your Bluehost account.
Click the ‘Domains’ tab on the left-hand side.
From the list, select the domain name you wish to update.
In the domain management area, scroll down and expand the ‘Advanced Tools’ section.
Click ‘Manage’ next to the Nameservers (DNS) option.
A warning pop-up may appear. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
Add your new nameserver information.
Click ‘Save’ to apply your changes.

Your website domain is now directing traffic to your new web host!

Changing Your Nameservers with SiteGround

As a premium WordPress hosting company, SiteGround also offers domain name registration. If your domain is with them, follow these steps to change your nameservers.

Log in to your SiteGround account.
Navigate to Services » Domains.
Click the ‘Manage nameservers’ link for your chosen domain.
In the pop-up window, delete the existing SiteGround nameservers and enter the new ones provided by your host. You can add up to four nameservers if needed.
Click ‘Confirm’ to save your changes.

Your updated nameservers will now be displayed next to your domain name.

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Changing Your Nameservers with Hostinger

Hostinger is a top-tier WordPress hosting provider that also enables domain name registration. Here’s how to manage your nameservers within their platform:

Log in to your Hostinger account.
Click ‘Domains’ at the top of the dashboard.
Scroll down slightly and click the ‘Manage’ button next to your specific domain name.
From the left sidebar, click ‘DNS / Nameservers’. You’ll see your domain’s current nameservers.
Click the ‘Change Nameservers’ button.
Select the option to ‘Change Nameservers’ if prompted, then enter your new nameserver entries.
Finally, click ‘Save’ to store your new settings.

Hostinger will now begin updating your domain's nameservers, pointing them to your new hosting provider.

Changing Your Nameservers with HostGator

HostGator is another popular choice for web hosting and domain registration. If your domain is with them, follow these steps to update its nameservers.

Log in to your HostGator account.
Click the ‘Domains’ tab.
Click the name of your desired domain to view its details.
In the expanded details section, locate your nameserver information and click the ‘Change’ link below it.
Two new boxes will appear. Enter your new nameservers in these fields and click ‘Save Name Servers’.
The boxes will turn green, indicating the save was successful. You'll also see your updated nameservers in the domain overview list.

Congratulations, you've successfully changed nameservers on HostGator!

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Changing Your Nameservers with GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the most widely recognized names in the hosting and domain industry. Here’s how to update your nameservers within their platform.

Log in to your GoDaddy account.
On the homepage, locate your domains. Click the three vertical dots next to your chosen domain and select ‘Manage DNS’.
Find the Nameservers section. You may need to click 'Change' or 'I'll use my own nameservers'.
Enter the nameservers provided by your new host. You can add more than two using the ‘Add Nameserver’ button.
Click ‘Save’.
GoDaddy might present a warning prompt. Check the box to confirm, then click ‘Continue’.

Your nameservers have now been successfully updated!

Bonus: Get 30% off GoDaddy hosting plus a free domain. Visit our GoDaddy coupon page for details.

Changing Your Nameservers with Namecheap

Namecheap is a top-rated domain name company known for its great value. Here’s how to adjust your nameservers within their interface.

Log in to your Namecheap account.
Click the ‘Domain List’ tab.
Click the ‘Manage’ button next to your chosen domain.
Scroll down to the ‘Nameservers’ section.
Click the dropdown list and select the ‘Custom DNS’ option.
Enter your new nameserver entries in the provided fields.
Click the ‘check’ (save) button to apply your changes.

Your new nameservers will now be displayed, and Namecheap will begin pointing your domain to your new hosting provider.

Changing Your Nameservers with WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a popular hosting service provided by Automattic. Many users, recognizing the limitations compared to a self-hosted WordPress.org website, eventually migrate away. (Uncertain about the difference? Our WordPress comparison chart clarifies everything).

Ideally, when moving from WordPress.com to another WordPress hosting provider, you'd transfer your domain to the new host for centralized management. However, if a recent domain registration prevents transfer (due to the 60-day ICANN lock), changing nameservers on WordPress.com is your solution.

Here’s how:

Log in to your WordPress.com account.
Navigate to My Sites » Upgrades » Domains.
Select the domain you wish to modify.
From the list of domain actions, select ‘Change Your Name Servers & DNS Records’.
Toggle the ‘Use WordPress.com Name Servers’ switch to the off position.
Enter the nameservers provided by your new host.
Click ‘Save Custom Name Servers’ to apply your settings.

That's it! Your website domain should now point to your new host.

Post-Update Essentials: What to Expect After Changing Nameservers

Once you've updated your nameservers, it’s natural to expect your website to appear instantly at its new home. However, it’s crucial to understand that domain nameserver changes aren't immediate. This delay is due to a process called DNS propagation, where internet service providers worldwide clear their cached DNS history and update their records to reflect your domain’s new IP address.

This propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours to fully complete globally. If this is your first time managing nameservers, patience is truly a virtue here. If several hours have passed and your site isn't loading correctly, try flushing your computer’s DNS cache.

Troubleshooting Common Nameserver Hiccups

Encountering issues like your site being offline or email not working after changing nameservers can be stressful, but these are often common and straightforward to resolve. Don’t panic; help is at hand!

1. Is Your Site Still Offline? Understand Propagation Delays

The most frequent culprit for a site not appearing immediately is DNS propagation delay. As mentioned, it can take up to 48 hours for changes to update across the entire internet.

Solution: Use a tool like DNSChecker.org. Enter your domain name to see if it’s already pointing to your new nameservers in different locations worldwide. This visual check can confirm if propagation is still underway or if the changes have been applied.

2. Did Your Email Stop Working? Verify DNS Records

If your email service (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) becomes inaccessible after a nameserver switch, it’s likely due to missing or incorrect DNS records on your new DNS provider. When you change nameservers, the new provider takes over management of all your domain's DNS records, including MX, SPF, and TXT records critical for email.

Solution: Access your previous host's DNS settings (or contact your email service provider) to get the correct MX, SPF, and TXT (or CNAME/A records as needed) records. Then, add these records to the DNS management panel of your new hosting provider or the service you pointed your nameservers to (e.g., Cloudflare).

3. Nameservers Haven't Updated? Double-Check Confirmation

Sometimes, registrars require an additional confirmation step to apply nameserver changes. You might have missed a final "Save" or "Confirm" button.

Solution: Go back through the steps for your specific registrar or host (as detailed above). Look for any unclicked save buttons, confirmation checkboxes, or notification messages. If, after 48 hours, nothing has changed, contact your domain registrar's support team. They can verify if the changes were correctly submitted on their end.

Your Nameserver Questions Answered: FAQs

We know you might have more questions about nameservers. Here are quick answers to some common inquiries:

Will changing nameservers affect my website uptime? If your new host is properly configured with your website files, your site should not experience significant downtime. During the propagation period, some users might briefly see the old site, or a "site not found" page, but for most, the transition will be seamless.

Can I revert the nameserver change? Yes, absolutely. You can switch back to your previous nameservers at any time by updating them through your domain registrar. Just remember that the propagation process will restart, meaning it will take time for the changes to spread across the internet again.

Do I need to update other DNS records when I change nameservers? Yes, this is critical! When using custom nameservers or switching hosts, your new DNS provider will now manage all your domain's DNS records. You must copy over essential records like A (for your website's IP), MX (for email), CNAME (for subdomains), and TXT records (for verification) to your new DNS management interface to avoid email or website functionality issues.

Can I speed up DNS propagation? Unfortunately, you cannot directly force propagation. However, you can influence the speed by lowering your domain's TTL (Time To Live) value before making nameserver changes. A lower TTL means DNS resolvers will cache your records for a shorter period, picking up changes faster. Remember to raise the TTL back to its default (e.g., 24-48 hours) after everything is stable to reduce DNS queries.

Unlock Your Website's Full Potential: Next Steps & Resources

Mastering domain settings like nameservers is a significant stride in your journey to confident website management. It empowers you with the knowledge to maintain control over your online presence. If you're eager to delve deeper and expand your expertise, we’ve curated some additional beginner-friendly guides that will further enhance your understanding:

We sincerely hope this comprehensive guide has demystified the process of changing nameservers and confidently pointing your domain to a new host. If you're just embarking on your website journey, you might also find immense value in our step-by-step guide on how to register a domain name for free, or consult our WordPress migration guide for a smooth transition of your entire site.

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