Domain Names:Update DNS servers

Update DNS servers for a single domain name

1. Log on to the Domain Names page. Find the target domain name and click Manage in the Actions column.

2. In the navigation pane on the left, click DNS Server Change.

3. On the DNS Server Change page, click Change DNS Server.

4. Enter the target DNS server addresses and click Confirm.

Batch update DNS servers for multiple domain names

1. Log on to the Domain Names page.

2. In the navigation pane on the left, choose Batch Operations > Common Batch Operations > DNS Server Change.

3. On the DNS Server Change page, enter the Domain Names and Custom DNS. Then, submit the request and complete the email verification.

4. On the Batch Operations Log page, check whether the operation was successful.

Verify the update

After you submit the update, you can run the following commands to monitor the propagation.

# Replace yourdomain with your domain name.
# 1. Check if the registry's name server (NS) records have been updated to the new DNS server addresses.
dig yourdomain NS

# 2. Trace the full resolution path to confirm that requests are answered by the new DNS servers.
dig +trace yourdomain A

What is a domain's DNS server?

A domain's DNS servers are servers that store and manage the Domain Name System (DNS) information for a specific domain. These servers hold various records for the domain, such as A records, which point a domain to an IPv4 address. Other records include AAAA records, which point a domain to an IPv6 address, MX records, which specify the mail servers for the domain, and CNAME records, which create aliases for a domain.

After you register a domain name, you must configure its DNS servers to allow computers on the Internet to resolve the IP addresses and other information associated with it. Typically, when you purchase a domain name, you can use the default DNS servers provided by the domain name registrar. You can also set up your own DNS servers if you want more control over your DNS configuration.

For example, if you own the domain name `example.com` and set its DNS servers to `ns1.example.com` and `ns2.example.com`, DNS resolvers worldwide will query these servers for records related to `example.com` or its subdomains, such as `www.example.com`. This process allows users to access your website, email services, and other resources.

Why can't I modify the domain's DNS address?

You cannot modify DNS settings when a domain name is in its grace period, redemption period, or transfer period. To modify the DNS settings, you must renew the domain name or wait for the transfer to complete. For more information about how to renew a domain name, see Domain name renewal.

Why are my DNS server updates not taking effect or causing access issues in some regions?

This issue typically occurs for one of the following reasons:

• Incorrect configuration on the new DNS servers: This is the most common cause. Log on to your new DNS provider's platform and check if all necessary DNS records, such as A, CNAME, and MX records, have been added for the domain name.

• Local DNS cache: The local DNS resolver in your region or on your device may have cached the old NS records. DNS server updates can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally. You can wait for the propagation to complete or try to flush the local DNS cache.

• Self-hosted DNS issues: If you use a self-hosted DNS server, check if your firewall allows traffic on port 53, ensure that the DNS service is running correctly, and verify the accuracy of the authoritative zone configuration.

Can I use DNS services from multiple providers at the same time?

Yes, you can, but this depends on your domain name registrar. If the registrar's interface for updating DNS servers lets you enter addresses from multiple providers, you can use them simultaneously. Domain names registered with Alibaba Cloud support this feature.

What are the reasons for a failed DNS server update?

• Because an invalid DNS cannot be modified, confirm that the DNS is valid.

• The domain name has an update lock. You cannot modify the DNS servers when the domain status is `clientUpdateProhibited` or `serverUpdateProhibited`. You can check the domain status using a tool. The query result shows a Domain Name Status such as "Update prohibited by registrar".

  Solution:

  1. Log on to the Domain Names page. Find the domain name for which you want to disable the update lock and click Manage in the Actions column.

  2. In the navigation pane on the left, click Security Settings.

  3. You can click Disable for the Update Lock setting and complete the security authentication as prompted.

How do I check the DNS server on my local machine?

The following steps use Windows as an example:

1. Open the command prompt. You can find it by searching for "cmd" or "Command Prompt" in the Start menu.

2. Enter ipconfig /all and press Enter.

3. In the output, find the "DNS Servers" line. The addresses listed are your DNS server addresses.

Does my local machine have a DNS cache? How do I clear it?

If a cache is present, purge it. The following example shows the commands for Windows:

1. Open the command prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for "cmd" or "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-clicking it, and selecting "Run as administrator".

2. Type ipconfig/flushdns and press Enter.

3. If the operation is successful, a message appears that says "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache".