Nameservers are a fundamental part of the Domain Name System (DNS). They act as a directory, translating human-readable domain names (like example.com) into the IP addresses that computers use to locate your website on the internet. Essentially, nameservers tell browsers where to find the server that hosts your website.
Rapyd does not require you to change your nameservers to connect a domain. However, if you want to manage your domain directly in Rapyd and take advantage of features like the Rapyd CDN and Web Application Firewall (WAF), you’ll need to update your domain’s nameservers to those provided by Rapyd.
This guide will help you understand how to change nameservers for the most popular domain registrars.
When and Why to Change Nameservers
You might want to change your nameservers for several reasons:
To use Rapyd-Managed Domains: Simplify DNS management and enable features like CDN and WAF directly from the Rapyd dashboard.
To use third-party services: Services like Cloudflare or external DNS hosting providers require you to point your nameservers to their platform.
To troubleshoot issues: Changing nameservers can sometimes resolve DNS-related problems.
No matter the reason, changing nameservers is a straightforward process. Let’s break it down.
How to Change Nameservers
The process for changing nameservers is similar across most registrars. Here’s a general overview:
Log into your domain registrar account.
Find the domain you want to update.
Navigate to the DNS or Nameservers settings. These could also be an NS record in your domain's DNS records, depending on the registrar.
Replace the default nameservers with the ones provided by your new hosting or DNS service.
Save your changes and wait for DNS propagation, which can take up to 48 hours.
While the steps are straightforward, each registrar’s interface is slightly different. Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for some of the most popular registrars. If you do not know your domain registrar, use the ICANN Lookup tool and scroll down to the Registrar Information section of the results.
Step-by-Step Guides for Popular Registrars
GoDaddy
GoDaddy
Log into your GoDaddy account.
Click Domains in the main menu.
Select your domain from the list.
Select Nameservers from the action menu.
Choose I'll use my own nameservers
Enter the nameservers provided by Rapyd.
Click Save to apply the changes.
See GoDaddy's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Namecheap
Namecheap
Log into your Namecheap account.
Click Domain List from the dashboard.
Locate your domain and click Manage.
In the Nameservers section, choose Custom DNS from the dropdown menu.
Enter the new nameservers in the provided fields.
Click the green checkmark to save your changes.
See Namecheap's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Ionos
Ionos
Log into your IONOS account and go to the Domains & SSL section.
Locate the domain you want to update and click the gear icon under the Actions column.
Select Name Server from the dropdown menu.
Choose Use Custom Name Servers.
Enter the nameservers provided by Rapyd.
.Click Save to apply the changes.
See IONOS' guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Hostinger
Hostinger
Log into your Hostinger account and go to the Domains section in hPanel.
Click Manage next to your domain and select DNS/Nameservers from the sidebar.
Click Change Nameservers.
Select Change Nameservers to point your domain at Rapyd. Enter the nameservers provided provided in the Rapyd dashboard.
Click Save to confirm your changes.
See Hostinger's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Cloudflare
Cloudflare
Currently, changing the nameservers of domains that are registered with Cloudflare is not supported. In order to manage your domain on Rapyd, you'll need to transfer your domain to another registrar, then update the nameservers by following their unique steps.
To transfer your domain away from Cloudflare, see this guide: Transfer domain out from Cloudflare
Cloudflare is providing a similar service to the Rapyd CDN. It is a great product that we happily recommend. However, if you prefer to manage everything in one place and use Rapyd's CDN and WAF, you will need to transfer to another domain registrar.
Bluehost
Bluehost
Log into your Bluehost account and navigate to the Domains section in the left menu.
Select the domain you want to update.
Scroll to the Advanced Tools section and click Manage under the Nameservers DNS option.
In the pop-up window, click Continue to proceed.
Enter the new nameservers provided by Rapyd.
Click Save to confirm your changes.
See Bluehost's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Hover
Hover
Sign in to your Hover control panel and select your domain.
On the domain’s overview page, navigate to the Nameservers section on the left and click Edit.
Enter the new nameservers provided by your hosting or DNS provider. Add extra nameservers if needed.
Click Save Nameservers to apply the changes.
See Hover's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
After Updating Your Nameservers
Once you’ve updated your nameservers, it’s important to verify that the changes have propagated correctly. Propagation can take up to 48 hours, though it often happens much faster. During this time, your site may experience intermittent connectivity issues.
To check the status of your DNS propagation, you can use tools like What's My DNS, which allows you to see how your changes are being reflected globally.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Double-check your nameservers: Ensure you’ve entered the nameservers exactly as provided by your hosting or DNS provider. In this case, Rapyd.
Back up your current settings: Before making any changes, save your current DNS records in case you need to revert.
Be patient during propagation: It’s normal for changes to take time to reflect across all servers.
Need Help?
If you encounter any issues while changing your nameservers, reach out to our support team for help - we'll be happy to assist you.