Overview
This article explains how to remove your domain's default DNS-hosting records. These are the DNS records assigned to a domain after hosting has been added in the panel.
Prerequisites
These instructions will only work if your nameservers are pointed to DreamHost. Before proceeding, make sure you've reviewed the DNS overview article and have an understanding of how DNS works.
Remove the SSL certificate
Also, check if you have added an SSL certificate to your domain. If so, you must delete it in order for your DNS records to be removed. View this article for instructions on how to do this.
FAQs
When is it necessary to remove these records?
-
If your site's nameservers are pointing to DreamHost, but you do NOT want to host the site at DreamHost, you must remove hosting, which removes the default DNS records. You can then add custom DNS records to point your site to another hosting company.
This only works with the primary domain name, such as example.com. To point a subdomain (blog.example.com) to another company, you must add custom DNS records to the primary domain.
What DNS records are removed?
-
When you set a domain to 'DNS only', you remove the following DNS A records:
- non-www A record
- www A record
- ssh A record
- ftp A record
What changes after setting a domain to 'DNS Only'?
-
Below are a few things to note regarding these changes:
- Setting the domain to 'DNS Only' does not delete hosted files (except on DreamPress plans) nor does it remove any Custom DNS records you've previously set up.
- You can add hosting again to recreate your DNS records.
- This only affects your web hosting service, leaving other services like email intact. If you have removed your hosting plan but want to continue hosting email with DreamHost, you can purchase a Paid email plan.
Can I cancel my hosting plan?
-
If this is the only domain on your account, you do NOT need a hosting plan. A hosting plan is only necessary if you wish to host a domain and its content on a DreamHost web server.
Does this close my hosting plan?
-
No. Setting a domain to 'DNS Only' does not close your active hosting plan. If you'd like to close your hosting plan, view this article instead.
Changing a hosted domain to 'DNS Only'
Option 1 — Use the panel service
Follow these steps if your domain is already hosted at DreamHost and you wish to set it to 'DNS Only'.
- Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
- Click the Manage button to open the Domain Settings page, which allows you to adjust various settings for your site.
- Click the Hosting tab on the next page.
- Under the Non-Hosting Options section, click Set to DNS Only section to expand.
- Click the Set to DNS Only button that appears.
- Click the red Yes, Remove button that appears to confirm the selection.
Option 2 — Add a root DNS record
If your website is currently hosted and you attempt to add a custom DNS record for the root (@) or www subdomain, the panel displays a prompt notifying you that the domain will be set to 'DNS Only'. This is because only one root or subdomain record can exist at a time. If you would like to proceed, click the Deactivate Website button.
A confirmation prompt warns that your website will be deactivated if you proceed. Click Yes, Deactivate Website. This removes hosting and the default root (@) and www records, allowing you to point your domain to a different host.
Adding a new domain as 'DNS Only'
The following describes how to add a new domain to the panel as ‘DNS Only’.
- Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
- On the top right, click the Add Website button.
- Choose the option Enter a domain or subdomain you already own.
- Enter a domain name you have already registered. If it's registered at another company, check the box to confirm that you are the domain name owner.
- On the bottom right, click the Next: Hosting button.
- Select Park Domain (no hosting).
- On the bottom right, click the Park Domain button.
- You are taken back to the Manage Websites page, where a success message confirms the domain has been added.
- Click the Manage button under or next to the domain you just added.
- Click the Hosting tab on the next page.
- Under the Non-Hosting Options section, click Set to DNS Only.
- Click the Set to DNS Only button that appears.
- Click the red Yes, Remove button that appears to confirm the selection.