Introduction
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 Cloud manages all custom domains through its Cloudflare integration, giving every connected domain enterprise-grade DNS, CDN, Web Application Firewall (WAF), and Full Page Caching out of the box. There are two ways to connect a domain:
Cloudflare API method — You connect your Cloudflare account via an API token, and Rapyd manages your DNS records automatically. No nameserver change is required.
Cloudflare NS method — You update your domain's nameservers at your registrar to the Cloudflare nameservers provided by Rapyd, delegating full DNS control to Rapyd Cloud.
Both methods unlock the same set of features. If you choose the Cloudflare NS method, you'll need to change your nameservers at your domain registrar — and that's what this guide covers.
Note: The legacy Rapyd CDN product also required nameserver changes. That product has been retired and replaced by the Cloudflare integration described above.
For full instructions on connecting your domain — including both paths — see How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Rapyd Cloud Website.
How to Change Nameservers
The process for changing nameservers is similar across most domain registrars. Here's a general overview:
Log in to your domain registrar account.
Find the domain you want to update.
Navigate to the DNS or Nameservers settings. These could also appear as an NS record in your domain's DNS records, depending on the registrar.
Replace the default nameservers with the Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Save your changes and wait for DNS propagation, which can take up to 24 hours (though it usually completes much faster).
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.
Where do I find my Rapyd Cloudflare nameservers? When you add a domain in the Rapyd Cloud dashboard and choose the Cloudflare NS method, the system displays a pair of Cloudflare nameservers assigned to your domain. Copy both addresses before heading to your registrar. For step-by-step details, see Path A in How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Rapyd Cloud Website.
Step-by-Step Guides for Popular Registrars
Select your registrar below for specific instructions.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy
Log in to 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 Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Click Save to apply the changes.
See GoDaddy's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Namecheap
Namecheap
Log in to 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 Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Click the green checkmark to save your changes.
See Namecheap's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
IONOS
IONOS
Log in to your IONOS account and go to the Domains & SSL section.
Locate the domain you want to update, then click the gear icon in the Actions column.
Select Name Server from the dropdown menu.
Choose Use Custom Name Servers.
Enter the Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Click Save to apply the changes.
See IONOS' guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Hostinger
Hostinger
Log in to 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.
Enter the Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Click Save to confirm your changes.
See Hostinger's guide for changing nameservers for more details.
Cloudflare (as Registrar)
Cloudflare (as Registrar)
If your domain is registered with Cloudflare, you do not need to change nameservers — the Cloudflare NS method does not apply to you. Instead, use the Cloudflare API method to connect your domain to Rapyd Cloud. This lets Rapyd manage your DNS records automatically via Cloudflare's API, with no changes to your nameservers required.
For setup instructions, see Path B in How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Rapyd Cloud Website.
Bluehost
Bluehost
Log in to 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 Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
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 Cloudflare nameservers provided in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard. 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 24 hours, though it often happens within minutes. 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. You can also check your domain's connection status directly in the Domains tab of your Rapyd Cloud dashboard.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Double-check your nameservers: Ensure you've entered the nameservers exactly as displayed in your Rapyd Cloud dashboard — even a small typo will prevent the connection from completing.
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. Most updates are complete within a few hours.
Need Help?
If you encounter any issues while changing your nameservers, reach out to our support team — we'll be happy to assist you.