A Guide to Updating Name Servers

6 Oct 2023

Name server updates are a crucial aspect of managing your online presence. Whether you’re moving to a new hosting provider or making changes to your existing setup, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Table of Contents

Understanding Name Servers

Name servers are like the phone books of the internet. They translate human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network.

Steps to Update Name Servers

1. Log into Your Domain Registrar’s Account

Start by logging into the account with the domain registrar where your domain is registered. This is where you’ll find the necessary settings.

2. Locate Your Domain Management Panel

Once logged in, navigate to the domain management panel. This is where you’ll find all the settings related to your domain.

3. Locate the Name Server Settings

Look for an option like “Name Servers” or “DNS Settings” in your domain management panel. This is where you’ll make the updates.

4. Enter the New Name Server Information

Input the name servers provided by your new hosting provider. Typically, you’ll have two or more name servers in the format ns1.example.com, ns2.example.com, and so on.

5. Save Changes

After entering the new name server information, save the changes. It may take some time for the updates to propagate across the internet.

6. Verify the Update

You can use online tools to verify that the name server update has propagated. This ensures that your domain is now pointing to the correct hosting provider.

Additional Tips:

Backup your DNS settings: Before making any changes, it’s a good practice to take a screenshot or make a note of your current DNS settings. This can be helpful in case you need to revert the changes.
Check TTL (Time to Live): Consider lowering the TTL value in advance. This will help the DNS changes propagate faster.
Be Patient: It may take up to 48 hours for the name server changes to fully propagate across the internet. During this time, some users may still see the old version of your site.

Conclusion

Updating name servers is a fundamental aspect of managing your online presence. By following these steps and being patient during the propagation period, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new hosting provider.

If you encounter any issues during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your domain registrar or hosting provider for assistance.