Managing DNS Zones in cPanel/Plesk

What a DNS Zone Is

A DNS zone contains the specific records that tell the internet where to find your domain's website, email servers, and other connected services. Both cPanel and Plesk include a Zone Editor tool, allowing you to view and modify these records directly without needing to go through your domain registrar separately.

Finding the Zone Editor

In cPanel, navigate to the Domains section and look for Zone Editor. In Plesk, navigate to Websites and Domains, select the relevant domain, and look for DNS Settings. If you have not yet read cPanel Basics: First Login Walkthrough or Plesk Basics: First Login Walkthrough, those cover general navigation for each platform.

Common Record Types You Will See

An A record points your domain to a specific server's IP address, most commonly what determines where your website itself is hosted. A CNAME record points one domain or subdomain to another domain name rather than directly to an IP address. An MX record determines which mail servers handle email for your domain. A TXT record stores text based information, frequently used for domain verification or email authentication purposes.

For a more complete explanation of what each record type actually does and when you would use it, see DNS Management: A/CNAME/MX/TXT Records Explained.

Editing an Existing Record

Locate the record you want to change within the Zone Editor, and update its value, such as changing an A record's IP address if you are moving to a new server. Be careful when editing records tied to active email or website traffic, since an incorrect value can cause immediate disruption until corrected.

Adding a New Record

Most Zone Editor tools include an option to add a new record, where you select the record type, enter the relevant hostname, and provide the corresponding value. This is commonly needed when connecting a third party service, such as verifying domain ownership for an external email or marketing platform.

How Long Changes Take to Apply

DNS changes do not take effect instantly across the entire internet. Propagation time varies, but changes are often visible within a few hours, and typically complete within twenty four to forty eight hours at the outside. See Domain Name System (DNS) Propagation Explained for a full explanation of why this delay happens. Plan any significant DNS change with this delay in mind, particularly for anything involving email routing.

Getting Help

DNS mistakes can cause website or email outages that are not always obvious in their cause. If you are unsure about a specific change, our support team can review your intended changes before you apply them.