When you purchase a domain name, it does not automatically connect to your website. To make your website visible to the world, you must point your domain to your hosting provider. This is done by updating your Nameservers.
This guide explains what nameservers are, how to find them, and the specific steps to update them on popular registrars.
A nameserver is a fundamental part of the Domain Name System (DNS). It acts like a directory that translates your human-readable domain name (like example.com) into the IP address of the server where your website is hosted.
When you move your website to a new host or use a third-party security service like Cloudflare, you must update these records so browsers know where to find your content.
When you change nameservers, you are handing over "DNS Authority" to your new host. This means any existing DNS records (like A, MX, or TXT records) at your old provider will stop working. If you have a live email service or custom subdomains, you must recreate those records at your new host before switching nameservers to avoid service interruption.
Before you can update anything, you need to know what to update. You must obtain the correct nameservers from your web hosting provider.
• Check Your Email: Most hosts send these in a "Welcome" email after you sign up.
• Check Your Hosting Dashboard: You can usually find them in your account portal under "Server Information" or "DNS Management".
• Format: They typically look like ns1.examplehost.com and ns2.examplehost.com.
Most providers give you two nameservers, but some provide three or four for extra redundancy. Always enter all nameservers provided to ensure the highest level of uptime for your site.
You must change the nameservers at the company where you bought your domain (your registrar), not necessarily where you are hosting your website.
• Log in to the account where your domain is registered (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, or NameSilo).
• Navigate to your Domain Portfolio or Domain List to view your active domains.
While every registrar looks slightly different, the process is generally the same.
For GoDaddy Users:
1. Go to your Domain Control Center and select your domain.
2. Select Manage DNS or Nameservers.
3. Choose "I'll use my own nameservers" or "Enter my own nameservers (advanced)".
4. Enter the nameservers provided by your host (e.g., ns1.yourhost.com) and click Save.
For Namecheap Users:
1. Go to your Domain List and click Manage next to your domain.
2. Find the Nameservers section.
3. Select "Custom DNS" from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter your new nameservers and click the green checkmark to save.
If your domain is currently using a "DNSSEC" security feature, you must disable it at your registrar before changing nameservers. Failing to do so can result in a "DNSSEC Validation Error," making your website completely inaccessible to many users.
For Bluehost Users:
1. Log in to the Account Manager and click Domain Name.
2. Select Advanced Tools and then Manage beside Nameservers (DNS).
3. Type in the new nameservers and click Save.
Once you save your changes, they are not instant. The update needs to spread across the internet in a process called DNS Propagation.
• Timeframe: Updates usually take effect within a few hours, but can take up to 24 to 48 hours globally.
• Why the Delay? Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and browsers cache old DNS records to speed up loading times. They must clear this cache before they see your new settings.
To see the "real-time" version of your site during propagation without waiting, you can temporarily edit your computer's "hosts file" to point your domain to the new IP address manually.
• How to Check: You can use online tools like whatsmydns.net to see if your new nameservers have propagated around the world.
• Mixing Nameservers: Do not keep old nameservers listed alongside new ones. Delete the old entries and only list the new ones provided by your host.
Never mix nameservers from two different providers (e.g., keeping one GoDaddy nameserver and adding one SiteGround nameserver). This will cause your website to work intermittently, appearing for some visitors and failing for others.
• Testing Too Soon: If your site doesn't load immediately, do not panic. It is likely just propagation delay.
• Updating the Wrong Records: Ensure you are updating the Nameservers (NS records), not just the A Record, if you want your new host to manage your DNS zone entirely.
Registrar The company where you purchased your domain name (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
DNS Propagation The time it takes for DNS changes to spread to servers and ISPs worldwide.
TTL (Time To Live) A setting that tells servers how long to store DNS information before refreshing it. Lowering this before a migration can speed up the process.
Authoritative Name Server The final server that holds the correct, up-to-date DNS records for your domain.
Updating nameservers is the bridge that connects your domain name to your website hosting. Always obtain the correct nameservers from your hosting provider first, then enter them into your registrar’s "Custom DNS" settings. Remember that changes are not instant; allow up to 48 hours for the update to propagate globally before troubleshooting.
Stability online depends on careful coordination.