How to Set Up DNS in cPanel via the Client Area

Introduction
DNS (Domain Name System) is the backbone of the internet, directing traffic to your website by translating domain names into IP addresses. Configuring DNS records correctly is crucial for your website to function properly. This guide will show you how to set up DNS for your domain using cPanel, accessed directly through your client area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to Your Client Area
   Start by logging into your client area to access your hosting account.

   • Visit the Client Area and log in using your email address and password.

2. Navigate to Your Services
   Once logged in, go to the "Services" or "My Products & Services" section.

   • Select the hosting service associated with the domain for which you need to set up DNS.

3. Access cPanel via the Client Area
   On the service details page, locate and click the "Login to cPanel" button to be automatically logged into your cPanel account.

4. Navigate to the DNS Zone Editor
   Once you’re in cPanel:

   • Scroll down to the Domains section and click on "Zone Editor".
   • This tool allows you to add, edit, or delete DNS records for your domain.

5. Adding DNS Records
   In the Zone Editor, you’ll see a list of domains associated with your hosting account. To set up or modify DNS records:

   • Select the domain for which you want to add or modify DNS records.
   • Click on "Manage" next to the domain.

6. Types of DNS Records You Can Add
   In the Zone Editor, you’ll be able to add several types of DNS records, including:

   • A Record (Address Record): This points your domain or subdomain to an IP address (e.g., 123.45.67.89). Use this to direct traffic to the correct server.
   • CNAME Record (Canonical Name): This points one domain name to another (e.g., www.yourdomain.com to yourdomain.com).
   • MX Record (Mail Exchanger): This specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email for your domain (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com).
   • TXT Record (Text Record): This is used for various purposes, like domain ownership verification or email authentication (e.g., SPF or DKIM).

7. Add or Edit a DNS Record

   • To Add a Record: Click on "Add Record", select the record type (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.), and fill in the necessary fields (e.g., Name, TTL, and Value).
   • To Edit a Record: Find the record you want to change, click the Edit button next to it, make the necessary updates, and save.

8. Save Your Changes
   After adding or editing DNS records, make sure to save your changes. DNS changes can take some time to propagate (usually between a few minutes to 48 hours) before they take effect globally.

Common DNS Record Examples

• A Record: If you want your domain example.com to point to your hosting server’s IP address 123.45.67.89, you would create an A Record:

  • Name: example.com
  • Type: A
  • Value: 123.45.67.89
  • TTL: Default (3600 seconds)

• CNAME Record: If you want to redirect www.example.com to example.com, you would create a CNAME record:

  • Name: www
  • Type: CNAME
  • Value: example.com
  • TTL: Default

• MX Record: To route your email through a specific mail server, you’d create an MX record. For example, if your mail server is mail.example.com:

  • Name: example.com
  • Type: MX
  • Priority: 10
  • Value: mail.example.com
  • TTL: Default

• TXT Record (SPF): To add SPF for email validation, a TXT record might look like this:

  • Name: example.com
  • Type: TXT
  • Value: v=spf1 a mx ~all
  • TTL: Default

Common Issues

1. DNS Propagation Delays
   After making changes to DNS records, it can take time for the changes to propagate across the internet. This usually takes a few minutes to a couple of hours, but in some cases, it may take up to 48 hours. You can check the status of your DNS changes using tools like whatsmydns.net to see if the updates have been applied worldwide.

2. Incorrect Record Types
   Ensure you are adding the correct record type for your needs. For example, use an A Record to point a domain to an IP address and a CNAME if you're pointing a domain to another domain.

3. MX Record Configuration
   If your email isn’t working, double-check your MX records to make sure they’re pointing to the correct mail server. If you’re using a third-party email provider (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365), make sure to follow their specific DNS instructions.

4. Conflicting Records
   Make sure that there are no conflicting records for the same name. For example, you cannot have both an A record and a CNAME record for www.example.com at the same time.

Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily set up and manage your DNS records using cPanel via the Client Area. Whether you need to point your domain to your hosting server, configure email, or set up verification records, the DNS Zone Editor in cPanel gives you full control.

If you run into any issues or need further assistance, feel free to contact our support team for help.