Simple DNS Zone Editor

DNS (Domain Name System) is the component of the Internet that converts human-readable domain names (for example, example.com) into computer-readable IP addresses (for example, 192.0.32.10). DNS uses zone files that reside on your server to map domain names to IP addresses.

While there are several different types of records in a domain’s zone file, this interface only allows you to create and delete A and CNAME (Canonical Name Record) records.

Note: The Simple Zone Editor has been replaced by the DNS Zone editor in newer versions of cPanel. You can find a guide to the new DNS Zone Editor here.

Accessing the Simple Zone Editor

First, you will need to access your cPanel account. If you do not know how to access your account, you can find out here.

Once logged into your cPanel, scroll down to the Domains section. You should see the Simple DNS Zone Editor app. Click it to get to the Zone file editor.

Adding an A record

An A record is a DNS record that maps domain names to IP addresses. A records are essential because they allow DNS servers to identify and locate your website and its various services on the Internet. Without appropriate A records, your visitors cannot access your website, FTP site, or email accounts.

To add an A record, perform the following steps:

  • If this account owns more than one domain, select the domain that you wish to manage from the Domain menu.
  • Enter the Name and Address of the A record.
  • Click Add A Record.

Warning:

cPanel & WHM configures your DNS records so that visitors can resolve your website and its services (for example, FTP and Email). Only add A records when you add a service that cPanel & WHM or your service provider do not provide.

Adding a CNAME record

CNAME record creates an alias for another domain name, which DNS looks up. This is useful, for example, if you point multiple CNAME records to a single A record in order to simplify DNS maintenance.

To add a CNAME record, perform the following steps:

  • If this account owns more than one domain, select the domain that you wish to manage from the Domain menu.
  • Enter the CNAME record in the Name and CNAME text box.
  • Click Add CNAME Record.

Delete a record

To delete an A or CNAME record, perform the following steps:

  1. If this account owns more than one domain, select the domain that you wish to manage from the Domain menu.
  2. Click the Delete link next to the record that you wish to remove.
  3. Click Delete.

This action is not reversible, so be sure that you need to remove these records. You may want to copy them down in case you need to add them back.

Propagation

Note: It can take up to 24 hours for any changes or updates to your domain name and DNS to fully propagate and take effect. During this time your website traffic and email may be disrupted. If you want to minimize this disruption to your website traffic and email, before making any other changes to your name servers, lower your TTL with your current registrar. Once you lower your TTL, wait 24 hours, and then update your name servers. The change should now happen more quickly.

There are several online tools that you can use to test propagation, such as DNSChecker and Geopeeker.

This process typically completes within four to six hours, but allow 24 hours before the records are fully propagated.

If you are still having issues, and need further support, please reach out to our support team using any of these methods.

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