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How to Easily Change Domain Nameservers (and Point to a New Host)

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Do you need to change nameservers and point your domain to a new WordPress hosting provider?

Nameservers tell the global domain name system where to look for a particular website. This may sound a bit technical, but changing nameservers is a reasonably straightforward process.

In this article, we’ll show you how to easily change domain nameservers and point to a different host or firewall step by step.

Changing your nameservers and pointing your domain to a new host

What Are Nameservers?

Nameservers are part of the global database of the domain name system. Their job is to tell other computers where to find a domain name.

If your web hosting account is the house where your website files live, then the domain name is the street address of that house.

Nameservers tell the internet where to locate the website address associated with a domain name.

How domain names work

When you enter a domain name in your web browser, it first sends a request to a global network of servers that form the Domain Name System (DNS).

These servers then search for the respective nameservers associated with the domain and forward the request accordingly.

For example, if your website is hosted on Bluehost, then its nameserver information will be like this:

ns1.bluehost.com
ns2.bluehost.com

These name servers are computers managed by your website hosting service provider. Your hosting company will forward the user’s request to the computer, also known as the server, where your website is stored.

Why and When Do You Need to Change Domain Nameservers?

There are two primary reasons why you would need to change your nameservers:

  1. You’re switching your web hosting providers.
  2. You’re adding a web application firewall like Sucuri or Cloudflare to protect your website.

When you move your website to a new hosting company, you will need to change the nameserver information for your domain name so that it points to the new hosting location.

This is extremely important because often, your old hosting company will delete your files after your plan expires. If you don’t change the nameserver, then your users will not be able to find your website.

When implementing a web application firewall (WAF), the WordPress WAF plugins will ask you to point your nameserver to them.

This is a required step for all web application firewalls like Sucuri or Cloudflare because it helps them protect your website server from attacks by blocking it at the DNS level.

Aside from these two common reasons, you rarely have to change your nameservers. However, you may need to add DNS records, such as changing MX records for your professional email address, etc.

That being said, let’s look at how to easily change your domain’s nameservers and point them to your new host.

How to Change Your Domain’s Nameservers

Changing your nameserver is quite simple and easy. The process may look a little different to you depending on your domain name registrar, but the basic steps are the same.

We will cover the instructions for changing your nameservers on several popular domain registrars and web hosting companies. You can use the quick links to jump to the section for your host.

Before editing your nameservers, you need to know the new nameserver records to use. Your new web host should be able to tell you this.

Nameservers will usually look like ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com. Some web hosts use IP addresses instead.

Tip: It can take a few hours for nameserver changes to take effect. Please be patient if your website isn’t showing up at your domain right away.

Changing Your Nameservers with Domain.com

Domain.com is one of the most popular domain registrar. It’s easy to register a domain with Domain.com and host it elsewhere.

Bonus: If you need to register a new domain name, then you can use our exclusive Domain.com coupon to get a 25% discount.

To change your nameservers, you first need to log in to your Domain.com account. After that, you must click the ‘DNS & Nameservers’ link in the left hand sidebar.

Viewing the DNS details for your Domain.com domain

This will take you to a page where you can see your DNS records.

Before you start, ensure the correct domain is selected at the top of the screen in the breadcrumb navigation.

Make sure the correct domain name is selected

Once you have verified the domain is correct, simply scroll down until you reach the NS records. There should be 2 of these, ns1.domain.com and ns2.domain.com.

First, click the 3 vertical dots next to ns1.domain.com then select Edit.

The nameservers in the list of DNS settings at Domain.com

You will see a popup where you need to edit the nameserver record. Simply type the new nameserver in the ‘Content’ box, then click the ‘Update DNS’ button. Here, we’re using Bluehost’s nameservers:

Updating the nameservers for your site using Domain.com

Repeat the same process for the ns2.domain.com nameserver record.

You will see your updated nameservers in the list.

Our updated nameservers displaying in the Domain.com DNS settings list

That’s all you need to do to point your website domain to your new host.

Changing Your Nameservers with Bluehost

Bluehost is a famous WordPress web hosting company. They are also a domain registrar. If you have a domain registered at Bluehost, it’s easy to change your nameservers.

First, you need to log in to your Bluehost account. Next, click the ‘Domains’ tab on the left-hand side. You should see your website domain(s) in a list. Simply click the dropdown next to your domain then select DNS.

Managing the DNS settings for your domain in Bluehost

You will now see the DNS details for your domain in Bluehost. Go ahead and click the ‘Edit’ button next to these.

Editing your nameservers with Bluehost

Now, you need to click the ‘Custom’ option and enter the nameservers for your new web host. Next, click the ‘Save’ button.

Using custom nameservers for your Bluehost domain

You will then see the updated nameservers in the list:

The updated nameserver details listed in Bluehost

That’s all you need to do. Your website domain is now pointing to your new web host.

Congratulations, you have successfully changed name servers on Bluehost.

Changing Your Nameservers with SiteGround

SiteGround is a well-known premium WordPress hosting company. We use them to host the WPBeginner website.

They also offer domain name registration as part of their web hosting platform.

To change your nameservers in SiteGround, you first need to log in to your SiteGround account.

Next, click go to the Services » Domains page and click the ‘Manage nameservers’ link for your chosen domain.

Clicking the Manage Nameservers link for your chosen domain

In the popup window, simply delete the existing SiteGround nameservers and enter the new ones you want to use. Optionally, you can add a third and fourth nameserver.

Once you’re ready, go ahead and click the ‘Confirm’ button.

Editing your nameserver records and saving your changes

Your new nameservers will now display next to your domain name.

Bonus: Want to host your website on SiteGround just like WPBeginner? They’re offering our users 63% off their web hosting with our exclusive SiteGround coupon. Discount is auto-applied when you click our Coupon link.

Congratulations, you’ve now changed your domain name servers on SiteGround.

Changing Your Nameservers with Hostinger

Hostinger is one of the top WordPress hosting companies. They allow customers to register domain names as well.

To change your nameservers in Hostinger, you need to login to your Hostinger account and click on the Domains at the top.

Hostinger manage domain

Next, you need to scroll down a little and click on the Manage button next to your domain name.

Next, click on the DNS / Nameservers in the left column. You’ll now see the nameservers currently used by your domain name.

Hostinger nameservers

Click on the Change Nameservers button to continue.

After that, click to select the Change Nameservers option and then enter your nameserver entries below.

Enter new nameserver entries

Don’t forget to click on the Save button to store your settings.

Hostinger will now update your domain’s nameservers and point them to your new hosting provider.

Changing Your Nameservers with HostGator

HostGator is another popular web hosting company and domain registrar.

To change your nameservers on HostGator, you need to log in to your HostGator account.

Next, you need to click the ‘Domains’ tab, and then click the name of your chosen domain to see further details.

The Domains tab in your HostGator account

You will now see an expanded details section below your domain name. Here, you just need to click on the ‘Change’ link below your nameserver details.

Viewing the details for your HostGator domain name

You will now see two new boxes will appear for the nameservers. You simply need to enter your nameservers in these boxes and press the ‘Save Name Servers’ button.

Entering your new nameservers in HostGator

The boxes will then turn green to indicate that the nameserver change has been saved. If you return to the domain overview, you will see your new nameservers in the list:

Your new nameservers in the HostGator list

Congratulations, you have successfully changed name servers on HostGator.

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Changing Your Nameservers with GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the best-known hosting and domain name companies.

To change your nameservers, you first need to log in to your GoDaddy account.

You should see your domains listed on the home page. Simply click the 3 vertical dots for your chosen domain and select the ‘Manage DNS’ option.

Selecting the 'Manage DNS' option for your  domain

Next, you need to click the ‘I’ll use my own nameservers’ option and enter the nameservers that you want to use. You can add more than 2 by using the ‘Add Nameserver’ button.

Entering your new nameservers in GoDaddy

Once you’re done, just click the ‘Save’ button.

GoDaddy may bring up a warning prompt to confirm. Just check the box, and then go ahead and click the ‘Continue’ button. Your nameservers have now been changed.

Checking the box below the warning message from GoDaddy

Bonus: You can get a huge 89.9% off GoDaddy hosting and get a free domain. For more details, check out our GoDaddy coupon page.

Congratulations, you have successfully changed name servers on GoDaddy.

Changing Your Nameservers with Namecheap

Namecheap is another top-rated domain name company that offers great-value domains.

To change your nameservers, you first need to log in to your Namecheap account. Next, click the ‘Domain List’ tab and then click the ‘Manage’ button next to your chosen domain.

Click the Manage link next to your domain name

After that, you need to scroll down to the ‘Nameservers’ section of the page. Here, you need to click on the dropdown list and select the ‘Custom DNS’ option.

Selecting the Custom DNS option

Simply add in your nameservers here.

After adding nameserver entries, click the ‘check’ button to save your changes.

Adding your nameservers in Namecheap

Your new nameservers will now be displayed in the list.

Namecheap will now start pointing your domain to your new hosting provider.

Your nameservers are now showing in the Namecheap list

Congratulations, you have successfully changed name servers on Namecheap.

Changing Your Nameservers with WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a hosting service created by Automattic, the company led by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. It has several limitations, so users sometimes decide to migrate to a self-hosted WordPress.org website.

If you’re not clear on the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, then you should check out our WordPress comparison chart.

We recommend that if you move away from WordPress.com to another WordPress hosting provider, then you transfer your domain to the new host. That way, your domain and hosting will be managed in the same place.

But in some situations, you won’t be able to do that. For example, if you recently registered your domain, then you won’t be able to transfer it for 60 days. In that case, you’ll need to change your nameservers on WordPress.com.

The first thing you need to do is log in to your WordPress.com account. After that, you should navigate to your My Sites » Upgrades » Domains page and then select the domain that you want to change.

Navigate to My Sites » Upgrades » Domains

Having done that, you’ll see a list of all the actions you can perform on your domain. You’ll need to select ‘Change Your Name Servers & DNS Records’ from the top of the list.

Change Your Name Servers & DNS Records

Next, you need to toggle the ‘Use WordPress.com Name Servers’ switch to the off position. You can now enter the nameservers you wish to use.

Finally, you should click the ‘Save Custom Name Servers’ button to save your settings.

Enter the Nameservers You Wish to Use

That’s all you need to do to point your website domain to your new host.

Final Steps After Setting Up Your Domain Nameservers

Any domain nameserver changes can take a few hours to take in effect worldwide. That’s because it requires each internet service provider to clear their cache history and update the IP address to new records.

If this is your first time changing nameservers, then it’s important that you exercise patience because, often, the changes will not reflect right away.

If it’s been a few hours, and your nameserver changes are still not showing up, then you can try to flush your DNS cache on your computer.

We hope this article helped you learn how to change nameservers and point a domain to another host. You may also want to see our list of must-have WordPress plugins for all websites and our comparison of the best email marketing services to grow your business.

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Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, Web Hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and Marketing. Started in 2009, WPBeginner is now the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry and is often referred to as the Wikipedia for WordPress.

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Reader Interactions

16 CommentsLeave a Reply

  1. Syed Balkhi says

    Hey WPBeginner readers,
    Did you know you can win exciting prizes by commenting on WPBeginner?
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  2. THANKGOD JONATHAN says

    Thank you WPBeginner team for making this tutorial.
    I just read your article about beginners guide to DNS and now learned how to changed them properly. Very interesting .

  3. Lewis says

    Great article but I have one question. I changed my Nameservers from BlueHost to Cloudflare- I’m assuming I should still retain my hosting account Bluehost?

  4. Peter Terlick says

    Hi. Great article; thanks very much. One question though.
    If I’m migrating from host A to host B, do I make the name server change on the old host A or the new host B (or both)?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      The change would be applied to Host A as host B would already be pointing toward itself by default normally. :)

      Admin

  5. Matt Enser says

    Thanks for this guide, but what is the next step to connect your domain after you set the name servers? I set the NS and then did the a records, but it isn’t working for me. Do you have a guide for after the name servers?

    The site I am working on is hosted with siteground and the domain is at epiks.

    • WPBeginner Support says

      If your nameservers are pointing to your new host, you no longer have the old nameservers, and the domain is not pointing correctly, you would want to reach out to your hosting provider as sometimes something may be stuck on their end that needs to be updated.

      Admin

  6. Paul says

    Hey. Great content guys, one question though. Is changing wordpress.com to wordpress.org the same as changing it to only a .com name server?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      If you wanted to see the new location before the nameservers update, you would need to edit your computer’s hosts file with the new IP address.

      Admin

  7. Christopher L. Scott says

    Thanks for this. I just switched from BlueHost over to WPengine and your article helped a lot. I’m a pastor so this techie stuff is hard for me. Thanks again for your article.

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