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How to Change DNS Records

 

The first thing you need to do to point your domain to your web hosting account is to set your name servers.  You prefer to use name servers provided by HostGator, although it is possible to use your own.

If you use your own, you will need to set the DNS records manually. If you use HostGator's name servers, most DNS records you need are generated for you automatically.

Before You Can Set Your DNS Records

If you have not set your name servers yet, please see the following section first:

Here is a video showing How to change your Domain Nameservers in the HostGator Customer Portal.

Keep in mind; it takes about 24 to 48 hours for your domain name to update the web due to propagation.

Once you set your name servers, you have the option of setting specific DNS records for your website (controlled by A records), email (controlled by MX records), and more.

Setting DNS Records in cPanel

If you use HostGator's name servers and a cPanel based account, you can update your DNS Records directly in cPanel.

Setting DNS Records in WHM

If you are using HostGator's name servers and have access to WHM, you can change your DNS records directly in WHM, in addition to being able to change them in cPanel.

Setting DNS Records in Plesk

If you are using HostGator's name servers and have an account with Plesk (such as Windows or a VPS with Plesk), you can change your DNS records within Plesk.

Using Other Name Servers

You don't have to use HostGator's name servers.  But as stated earlier, this means manually maintaining the related DNS records.  The following article will give you an overview of how to do this.

Advanced
Troubleshooting Tools

The following article provides information on the use of dig, which may be used to check a domain's DNS records, as well as WHOIS, which may be used to check the name servers, and ping, which can check your connection to the server when all of your settings are correct: