Managing your DNS Zone in cPanel

Managing your DNS zone in cPanel allows you to control how your domain resolves on the internet. You can add, edit, or delete DNS records such as A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and SRV records.

Accessing the DNS Zone Editor

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Navigate to the Domains section.
3. Click on Zones Editor.
4. Select the domain you wish to manage from the dropdown list.

Adding a DNS Record

1. Click + Add Record next to your domain.
2. Choose the record Type (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.).
3. Enter the required fields:
   • Name — the subdomain or hostname (e.g., blog for blog.yourdomain.com).
   • TTL — Time to Live, controls how long the record is cached (default 14400 is fine for most cases).
   • Record/Value — the target IP address or hostname.
   • Priority — required for MX records (lower number = higher priority).
4. Click Add Record to save.

Editing an Existing Record

1. Locate the record you want to modify and click Edit.
2. Update the fields as needed.
3. Click Save Record.

Deleting a DNS Record

1. Find the record you wish to remove and click Delete.
2. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Important Notes

• DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate globally.
• Do not modify your zone's NS records unless you are changing your domain's nameservers.
• If your domain uses third-party nameservers (e.g., Cloudflare), DNS changes must be made in their panel, not cPanel.
• Always back up your zone before making bulk changes — use the cPanel backup feature or export the zone file.

If you encounter any issues with DNS management, please open a support ticket and we'll be happy to assist.

Troubleshooting

• "This zone is not editable" or Zone Editor is missing: Your domain may be using external DNS (Cloudflare, Route 53). DNS changes must be made in that provider's dashboard, not cPanel. Check where your domain's nameservers point to.
• DNS changes not taking effect: DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours globally. Use whatsmydns.net to check if your record has propagated. Also check that you edited the correct domain's zone.
• "Record already exists" error: A record with the same name and type already exists. Check the full zone listing — it may be further down the list or in a different record section.
• Cannot delete NS records: NS records are locked by cPanel to prevent accidental breakage. If you need to change nameservers, update them at your domain registrar, not in cPanel.
• Website goes down after DNS change: You likely modified the wrong record or entered an incorrect IP. Revert the change or contact support immediately.
• MX records not working for email: Ensure the MX record points to the correct mail server hostname (not an IP address), and that the priority value is set correctly (lower = higher priority).