Changing your nameservers at DreamHost

Overview

There are many reasons for changing nameservers – you may need to host a domain elsewhere, or perhaps you want to run your DNS through a CDN (content delivery network) like Cloudflare.

This article explains how to update the nameservers for domains that are registered with DreamHost. If you own the registration elsewhere, you must make the nameserver change with the current registrar.

You can update the nameservers through two different pages on the DreamHost panel.

When you change your nameservers, all of your DNS points to the new hosting company.

If you want to host email at a different company than where your nameservers are pointed, make sure to update your email DNS records.

Using the Manage Websites page

  1. Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
  2. Open the DNS Settings page:
    DNS Settings
    • If in Grid view, click the 'vertical 3 dots' button under your domain. From the popout menu, click the DNS Settings link.
    • If in List view, click the 'vertical 3 dots' button to the right of your domain. From the popout menu, click the DNS Settings link.
      The domain's DNS records display.
    Nameservers
  3. Scroll down to the Nameservers section.
  4. Click the Change button.
    Nameservers
  5. Enter your new nameservers after clicking the 'I'll use my own nameservers' option.
  6. Click the Save button when finished.

After saving, the new nameservers will take several hours to propagate online. You can track the update status of the records here:

Using the Manage Registrations page

Any change you make to your domain registration occurs immediately, including edits to WHOIS, nameserver(s), and registrant information.

You can also edit the nameservers on the Manage Registrations page. If your domain is listed on this page, it is registered with DreamHost, and the nameservers can be edited.

  1. Navigate to the Manage Registrations page.
  2. Under the Modify Whois column, check the Whois box next to your domain. 

    For *.uk domain names, the following message appears when you attempt to change the WHOIS info in the panel:

    .uk domain registration

    Clicking the link takes you to 'secure.nominet.org.uk'. You can then change your WHOIS information there.

  3. Click the Modify whois button.
    The Edit Whois page opens.
  4. Click the Nameservers tab.
  5. Select an option:
    • Use DreamHost’s nameservers: This sets the nameservers to DreamHost.
    • Use another host's nameservers: This allows you to change your nameservers to another host. In the fields provided, enter the nameservers for the other hosting company.
    If you set your DNS to point to another host’s nameservers instead of using DreamHost’s, the following fields appear on the Nameservers page:
    2018-09_panel_change_nameservers_03.png

See also

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Article last updated PST.

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