When to change nameservers
- Your website host or DNS provider asks you to use their nameservers.
- You run your own nameservers for a group of domains.
- You want to move back to our DNS editor after using another provider.
If your host only asks for an A record or a CNAME, you do not need to change nameservers. Follow point a domain to a website instead.
Change nameservers step by step
1. Copy your DNS records first
If your domain uses our nameservers today, open the DNS tab and note every record, especially MX and TXT records for email. The new provider needs the same records, or your email can stop.
2. Open the Nameservers tab
Go to Dashboard, then Domains, select the domain and open the Nameservers tab.
3. Choose Custom nameservers
Enter at least two nameservers exactly as your provider lists them, one per field. Click Add nameserver for more fields if needed.
4. Save
The registry usually updates within minutes. Networks around the world can keep the old answer for up to 48 hours, so some visitors see the old setup for a while.
5. Switch back any time
Choose NameBest nameservers and save. Your DNS tab records start answering again.
What changes when you use custom nameservers
- The DNS tab no longer controls the domain. Records are edited at your new provider.
- URL forwarding from our dashboard stops, because it relies on our DNS.
- WHOIS privacy, auto renew and the transfer lock keep working, because they are registry settings.
The new nameservers are rejected. Why?
The name may have a typo or may not exist yet. Check the spelling with your provider. For your own nameservers under the same domain, the provider needs glue records, which the registry sets from the IP addresses you enter.
My site went down after the change. What happened?
The new provider probably does not have your records yet. Add them there, or switch back to NameBest nameservers.
Can I set nameservers before a transfer completes?
Not at NameBest. Set them at your current registrar, or wait until the transfer completes. See domain transfer status.