How To Configure WordPress DNS Settings

When you visit a website, your computer needs to figure out where that site lives on the internet. That’s where DNS, or Domain Name System, comes in. It helps your browser locate the correct server, allowing it to load your WordPress site.

If your WordPress DNS settings aren’t set up correctly, your site won’t appear. Visitors may view an error or nothing at all, which is bad, especially if you run an online business. Getting these settings right ensures your domain and hosting are working together correctly.

This guide shows you how to set up your DNS correctly. We’ve made everything easy to follow by breaking it down into simple steps, so you don’t need to be a tech expert to follow along.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• DNS helps connect your domain name to your WordPress site’s server.
• Know whether your DNS is managed by your domain service, a host, or a third-party tool.
• Nameservers must be set correctly to direct your domain to the correct location.
• A and CNAME records are both key for loading your site and subdomains.
• MX and TXT records are required if you’re setting up custom email or verifying your domain.
• Hosted® users must follow their custom DNS guide to connect a domain.
• Subdomains can be set up using A or CNAME records for separate sections of a site.
• Cloudflare can speed up and protect your site, but it needs the correct DNS setup.
• DNS configuration in WordPress can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate globally.
• Always back up your records and follow best practices to avoid downtime.

What is DNS & Why Does it Matter?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It’s the system that helps your browser find the right website when you type in a domain name. For example, when someone types a URL like yourwebsite.com, DNS translates that name into a set of numbers called an IP address, which directs the browser to load your WordPress site.

Without DNS, your domain name wouldn’t know where your website is hosted. And if the WordPress DNS settings are incorrect, your site might not load at all. That’s why DNS settings need to be correct and updated.

There are a few key WordPress DNS records you’ll often see when working with WordPress:

• A Record: This points your domain name to your server’s IP address. It’s one of the most important settings.
• CNAME Record: This connects subdomains to your main domain.
• MX Record: This handles email for your domain, ensuring messages are delivered to the correct location.
• TXT Record: Often used for verifying your domain or improving email security.
• NS Record: Indicates which nameservers are responsible for managing your WordPress DNS settings.

All these records work together to ensure your domain connects to your WordPress site, email, and other services properly.

Types of WordPress Setups & DNS Considerations

Before changing any DNS settings, it’s essential to understand the type of WordPress setup you’re using. Different setups handle DNS in various ways; knowing which one you have helps you make the necessary adjustments.

If you’re using self-hosted WordPress from WordPress.org, you’ve got full control over your DNS. You can manage your DNS settings directly from your domain service or your hosting provider. This setup gives you flexibility, but it also means you’re responsible for directing your domain to the right server using:

• A records;
• Nameservers;
• Other DNS settings.

With WordPress hosting, things are easier. In most cases, you’ll need to update your domain’s nameservers to match those provided by your hosting provider. Once that’s done, the hosting company usually takes care of the rest of the DNS configuration behind the scenes.

However, with WordPress hosting, DNS works a little differently. You don’t have full access to WordPress DNS settings as you do with self-hosted setups. If you want to use a custom domain, your host provides the DNS records you need; usually, these are some A and CNAME records. You’ll need to copy those into your domain service’s DNS panel to make your domain work with your WordPress site.

Each setup has its unique way of handling DNS, so understanding your setup helps you avoid mistakes and keeps your site running smoothly without issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configure WordPress DNS Settings

In this section, we’ll explain how to configure your WordPress DNS settings properly. We show you how to locate DNS management tools, update nameservers if necessary, and add or edit important DNS records.

We’ll also cover optional setups, such as using a custom domain, adding subdomains, or connecting to a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Let’s start with the first step below.

Login to Your Domain Service or Hosting Provider

The first step is to sign in to the place where you bought your domain or host your website. This could be your domain or web hosting provider. You need to know your login details to begin.

Once you’re in, look for DNS settings or Domain Management, which is where you’ll find the records that control where your domain points.

Before making any changes, figure out who manages your DNS. Sometimes your domain service controls it, but in other cases, your hosting provider or even a third-party service (for example, a CDN) handles it.

If you’re unsure, check your domain’s nameservers. They’ll show who’s in charge of your DNS. If the nameservers point to your domain provider, you’ll edit the DNS there. If they point to your host or an additional service, you’ll need to log in to that platform instead.

Knowing where your DNS is managed helps you avoid confusion and makes the rest of the setup a lot smoother.

Locate DNS Management

Once you know who’s managing your WordPress DNS settings and you’re logged in to that platform, the next step is to find where you can manage your domain’s DNS records. This section may be titled:

• DNS Settings
• Manage DNS
• DNS Zone Editor

Or, a similar name, depending on the platform you’re using.

For Hosted® clients, go to cPanel → Domains → Zone Editor to view, add, or edit records for your domain.

And, if you’re using a CDN, click the ⋮ menu next to your domain name and choose Configure DNS.

Then, navigate to DNS → Records to make changes.

Every provider has a slightly different layout, but the idea is the same: you’re looking for a place where you can see your DNS records, such as A, CNAME, or MX. Once you find that section, you’re ready to add or update the records your WordPress site needs.

Update Nameservers (if Required)

If your domain isn’t already using your hosting provider’s DNS, you might need to update the nameservers. Nameservers tell the internet which service is handling your domain’s DNS settings.

For example, if you’re hosting your site with us, you’ll need to point your domain to our nameservers, such as:

EXAMPLE:
ns1.hosted.comandns2.hosted.com

To do this, navigate to your domain control panel and locate the Nameservers section. Replace the current values with the nameservers given by your hosting provider. Once saved, your domain will start using your host’s DNS system.

For example, if you’ve registered your domain with us but are hosting your website somewhere else, then go through the following steps:

1. Log in to the Hosted® account.
2. Go to Manage Services → Domains.
3. Click Manage next to your domain name.
4. Navigate to Nameservers and click Edit to modify.
5. Now, replace them with the nameservers provided by your web host.
6. Ensure you click Save after changing nameservers.

Remember, changing nameservers can wipe out your current DNS records. If you’ve already added email or custom records, these may be deleted. So, before making any changes, back up your existing DNS records by taking a screenshot or writing them down.

If your domain or third-party service handles your DNS, you can skip this step and start editing individual records instead.

Add or Edit DNS Records

Once your nameservers are set, or if you’re managing DNS through your domain service or a CDN, it’s time to add or update your DNS records. These records tell the internet how to connect your domain to your website, email, and other services.

Start with the A Record. This connects your root domain (yourdomain.com) to your hosting provider’s IP address. You will find this IP in your hosting dashboard. Just paste it into the A Record to point your domain to the right server.

Next, set up a CNAME Record for www. This record tells browsers that www.yourdomain.com should lead to yourdomain.com. It keeps both versions of your site working properly. Remember, you’ll specify the domain name you want to point to (e.g., yourdomain.com), not an IP.

Note: A CNAME can only be used on subdomains, not the root domain (e.g., you cannot use @ with a CNAME in most setups). You also cannot mix CNAME with other records on the same name (e.g., don’t have both an A and CNAME on www).

If you’re using a custom email, you’ll also need to add MX Records. These records control where emails sent to a specific email address should be sent:

Email services like Google Workspace or Zoho will give you the exact MX Records to add. Just copy and paste them into your WordPress DNS settings.

You might also need to add TXT Records. These are often used for domain ownership checks, email security (SPF, DKIM), or connecting tools like Google Search Console. If a service asks you to verify your domain or protect your email, they’ll give you the TXT value to enter.

When adding a TXT record, use @ for the root domain and www for the subdomain. However, the value you enter in the Value field depends on the purpose of the TXT record you’re adding. For example, we use google-site-verification=abcd1234xyz for adding a TXT record for Google Site Verification:

Each record has a specific purpose, so ensure you enter the correct details exactly as provided. Once you’ve added or updated your DNS records, save the changes; they will take some time to take effect.

Configure a Custom Domain (Optional)

When connecting a custom domain through your WordPress hosting provider, e.g., Hosted®, you’ll need to configure your domain’s DNS settings through your cPanel control panel’s Domains section.

Go to your Hosted® account, login to cPanel, open the Zone Editor in the Domains section, and enter the records provided by your hosting provider. This usually involves:

• A CNAME record that redirects www to your hosted domain or subdomain.
• An A record pointing to your host’s IP address.

Click the following link to find out how to set up redirects: Redirect a Domain to Another Domain

Once you’ve added the records, save your changes. DNS updates can take a few hours to propagate across the Internet. After that, your custom domain should correctly point to your WordPress site.

Set up Subdomains (Optional)

A subdomain is a smaller section of your main website, for example, to create blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com. This allows you to keep your blog, store, or another part of your site separate from the main homepage.

To set up a subdomain, go to your WordPress DNS settings and add a new record. If the subdomain will point to another website or platform, you usually add a CNAME record. For example, if you’re using an external blogging tool or store builder, they’ll provide a target domain for you to point your subdomain to.

If you’re hosting the subdomain on your server, you’ll likely use an A record instead. This means you’ll point the subdomain directly to your hosting provider’s IP address, just like you did with the main domain.

Subdomains are useful when you want to organize parts of your site or run them with different tools. Once you create the record and save the changes, give it some time to update. After that, your new subdomain should work just like your main site.

Configure a CDN (Optional)

Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) can help your WordPress site load faster and stay secure. It works by caching your content and delivering it from servers that are closer to your visitors. For this step, we will use Cloudflare as an example.

To set it up, first create an account and add your domain. Cloudflare will scan your current WordPress DNS settings and import them.

After that, click Overview from the left-hand side menu, and navigate to Replace your current nameservers with Cloudflare nameservers. Here, you’ll find 2 nameservers provided by Cloudflare.

Now, go to your domain provider and replace your current nameservers with the ones provided by Cloudflare. This step allows Cloudflare to manage your DNS.

Once your nameservers are updated, log in to your Cloudflare dashboard and open the DNS tab. Ensure your A and CNAME records match those of your hosting provider. This ensures your site points to the right IP address or domain.

If you want to use Cloudflare’s speed and security features, turn on the orange cloud icon next to each DNS record. This enables their proxy, which adds caching, DDoS protection, and other benefits.

After you’ve saved everything, your site will start running through Cloudflare. It may take a little while for changes to take effect, but once they do, your visitors should notice better speed and performance.

Save Changes & Wait for DNS Propagation

After you’ve added or updated your DNS records, ensure you save the changes in your domain, hosting panel, or CDN dashboard. Nothing will take effect until everything is saved correctly.

Once saved, your new settings won’t show up immediately. The internet needs time to catch up; this process is called DNS propagation. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for the changes to take effect across all global networks.

Troubleshoot DNS Issues

If your site still isn’t loading after you’ve updated your WordPress DNS settings, don’t panic. There are a few easy steps you can take to resolve the issue.

First, double-check your DNS records. Ensure the A record points to the correct IP address, and that you haven’t added both an A record and a CNAME record for the same domain. These can conflict and cause loading issues. Keeping only the right one in place helps your domain connect properly.

Next, try clearing your local DNS cache. Sometimes your computer keeps old DNS data. To flush it on Windows, open Command Prompt and type:

ipconfig /flushdns

If you’re on macOS, open Terminal and type:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

This forces your computer to look up the updated DNS records instead of using old ones.

If the issue still isn’t sorted, contact your domain service, hosting provider, or CDN support. They can check your settings, find the problem, and help you get your site back online quickly.

Best Practices for DNS Management

Before you make any changes to your WordPress DNS settings, always back up your current records. You can do this by taking a screenshot or copying them into a text file. If something goes wrong, you’ll have a safe copy to restore.

Be careful not to mix A and CNAME records for the same domain or subdomain. Mixing the two can confuse the system and cause your site to stop working.

Also, monitor the Time to Live (TTL) values for your records. TTL tells servers how long to keep your DNS info before checking for updates. If you set it too low, changes will occur faster, but this may cause more lookups and slow things down. A TTL of 300 seconds (5 minutes) is good for quick updates, while higher values provide more stability once everything is working.

Lastly, keep your login details for your domain and hosting provider, and CDN accounts safe. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s available. Following these simple tips will help you avoid common mistakes and keep your site running smoothly.

Helpful DNS Tools

When you’re working with WordPress DNS settings, using the right tools can save you time and help you avoid mistakes. These tools enable you to verify that your records are accurate and that changes have been applied across the internet.

WhatsMyDNS is great for checking if your DNS updates have spread globally. Just enter your domain name, and it will display results from different countries. This lets you know if your site’s ready for everyone to see.

DNS Checker is another tool that lets you look up various records, including:

• A
• CNAME
• MX
• and more.

It’s easy to use and helps ensure everything points where it should.

These tools allow you to enter your domain name to find whether the DNS records are appearing in different countries. It’s normal to see mixed results at first. Just give it time. Once propagation is complete, your site should work with the new WordPress DNS settings everywhere.

You can also use MXToolbox to check email-related records, such as MX and TXT. It’s helpful when setting up a custom email or verifying your domain for services like Google Workspace.

You’ll also use the DNS tools inside your control panel. If you’re using:

• cPanel
• Cloudflare
• Your domain service’s dashboard.

That’s where you can manage and update the records. Each platform looks a little different, but they all let you do the same basic things. These tools work together to make DNS setup easier and more reliable. When you’re unsure something’s working, these are the first places you should check.

FAQS

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