How to Manage DNS Records in cPanel

ByIqra Akram

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates user-friendly domain names like example.com into machine-readable IP addresses for the servers. This allows users to access websites, send emails, and utilize online services without having to remember lengthy numerical addresses. DNS also controls routing traffic, delivery of emails, subdomains, and other entries that involve security, such as verification over SSL. Each function is achieved through specific DNS record types, including A, MX, CNAME, TXT, and many more.

Using cPanel, you can easily view, add, edit, or remove DNS records to keep your website, email, and other services functioning correctly.

Accessing DNS Settings in cPanel

Follow these steps to open DNS settings:

  1. Log in to your cPanel account.
  2. Scroll to the Domains section and click Zone Editor.
  3. Locate the domain you’d like to manage and click Manage.

Managing DNS Records

The Zone Editor shows all DNS records for your domain. You can do the following from here:

  • Create a new DNS record
  • Edit an existing DNS record
  • Delete a DNS record
  • Reset the DNS zone

Adding a New DNS Record

To add a new DNS record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, select your record type from the Type dropdown menu, and enter the necessary information for that record type.
  2. Record types vary by the fields they require, as well as their intended uses, which are explained below.

A Record

An A Record connects your domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address. It tells DNS which server to contact when someone visits your domain.
Example: tutorialwriting.space points to 170.10.163.106.

IPv4 Address: This is a 32-bit numerical address of your web server, used in directing traffic. Example: 170.10.163.106.

To create this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, then select A Record from the dropdown menu in the Type field.
  2. Enter the following details:
    • Name: The domain or subdomain this record applies to, e.g., tutorialwriting.space or blog.
    • TTL (Time to Live): Specifies how long DNS servers cache this record before rechecking for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Record / Value: The IPv4 address of the server where your website is hosted, e.g., 170.10.163.106.
  3. Click Save Record once all the details are filled.

CNAME Record

A CNAME Record directs data from a subdomain to another domain rather than to an IP address. It informs DNS to route traffic from the subdomain to the target domain.
Example: www.tutorialwriting.space points to tutorialwriting.space.

To create this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record and, within the Type field, select CNAME Record from the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter the following information:
    • Name: The subdomain you want to point, e.g., www.
    • TTL: This describes how long in seconds DNS servers should cache this record before checking for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Record / Value: This is the desired domain to which traffic should be routed, for example, tutorialwriting.space.
  3. Click Save Record.

MX Record

An MX Record directs email for your domain to the proper mail server. It tells DNS where to deliver incoming emails.
Example: 10 mail.tutorialwriting.space.

Mail Server: This is the server that receives the emails for your domain. Example: mail.tutorialwriting.space

To set up this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record and select MX Record from the dropdown menu in the Type field.
  2. Enter the following information:
    • Name: Your domain, for example, tutorialwriting.space.
    • TTL: The time period the DNS servers will keep this record cached before checking for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Priority: The order in which mail servers are used; lower numbers are tried first, e.g., 10
    • Destination: This is the mail server that receives emails for your domain, for example, mail.tutorialwriting.space.
  3. Click Save Record.

TXT Record

A TXT Record stores text information for your domain. It is often utilized for verification or email security, such as SPF, DKIM, or domain ownership checks.
Example: v=spf1 include:spf.tutorialwriting.space -all.

To set up this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, and in the Type field, select TXT Record from the dropdown menu.
  2. Enter the following information:
    • Name: Your domain or subdomain, for example, tutorialwriting.space or _google._domainkey.
    • TTL: How long, in seconds, DNS servers should cache this record before checking back for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Record / Value:This is the text information used for verification or security purposes, e.g., v=spf1 include:spf.tutorialwriting.space -all.
  3. Click Save Record.

AAAA Record

An AAAA record maps your domain or subdomain to an IPv6 address. It tells DNS which server to direct traffic to when someone accesses your domain over IPv6.
Example: tutorialwriting.space resolves to 2001:db8::1.

IPv6 Address: A 128-bit numerical address of your server used to direct traffic, e.g., 2001:db8::1.

To create this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, then select AAAA Record from the dropdown menu in the Type field.
  2. Provide the following information:
    • Name: The domain or subdomain this record applies to, for example, tutorialwriting.space or blog.
    • TTL: Dictates how long DNS servers cache this record before checking for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Record / Value: The IPv6 address of the server hosting your website, e.g., 2001:db8::1.
  3. Click Save Record.

CAA Record

A CAA record specifies which certificate authorities are allowed to issue SSL certificates for your domain. It tells DNS which authorities can issue certificates, helping to enhance your domain’s security.
Example: 0 issue letsencrypt.org.

To set this record in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, and from the dropdown menu in the Type field, select CAA Record.
  2. Enter the following information:
    • Issuer Critical Flag: Set 0 for non-critical or 1 for critical. It indicates whether the certificate authority must enforce this record.
    • Tag: The type of rule. Options include:
      • issue – Allows the certificate auhtority to issue certificates.
      • issuewild – Allows issuing wildcard certificates.
      • iodef – Provides a URL or email to report certificate issues.
    • Value: The certificate authority authorized to issue certificates, e.g., letsencrypt.org.
    • TTL: States the time DNS servers will cache this record before checking again, e.g., 14400.
  3. Click Save Record.

SRV Record

An SRV record directs traffic for a given service such as VoIP, chat, or other specialized services. It tells DNS which server and port to use for that service.
Example: _sip._tcp.tutorialwriting.space points to sipserver.tutorialwriting.space on port 5060.

To set up this entry in cPanel:

  1. Click Add Record, then select SRV Record from the dropdown menu in the Type field.
  2. Please fill in the following information:
    • Name: The service and protocol, e.g., _sip._tcp.tutorialwriting.space.
    • TTL: Specifies how long DNS servers cache this record before checking for updates, e.g., 14400.
    • Priority: The priority of the server; lower numbers are used first, e.g., 10
    • Weight: The relative weight of records with the same priority for load distribution, e.g., 5
    • Port: The port number of the service, e.g., 5060.
    • Target: This is the target server for the service, e.g., sipserver.tutorialwriting.space.
  3. Click Save Record.

Editing an Existing DNS Record

You can update any DNS record to change its value or settings.

To edit a record in cPanel:

  1. Open the Zone Editor and find the domain you wish to manage.
  2. Click Manage next to the domain.
  3. Locate the record you want to edit in the list, such as updating an A Record to point tutorialwriting.space to a new IP address, for example, 170.10.163.107.
  4. Click Edit next to the record.
  5. Update the respective fields, which may be Name, TTL, Value, or whatever field/s depending on the record type.
  6. Click Save Record to apply changes.

Deleting a DNS Record

You can delete any DNS record that is no longer required.

To delete a record in cPanel

  1. Open the Zone Editor and find the domain you want to manage.
  2. Click Manage next to the domain.
  3. Find the record you want to delete in the list. For example: You want to delete an old MX record pointing to mail.oldserver.com that is no longer in use.
  4. Click Delete next to the record.
  5. Confirm deletion by clicking on Continue button.

Reset the DNS Zone

Resetting the DNS zone resets all DNS records of your domain to their default settings. This will be helpful if there are misconfigurations or if you want to start fresh.

To reset the DNS zone in cPanel:

  1. Open the Zone Editor and find the domain that you want to reset.
  2. Click Manage next to the domain.
  3. Click the Actions button at the top of the list of DNS records.
  4. Click on Reset DNS Zone.
  5. Confirm this action by clicking the Continue button. All existing DNS records will be removed and default records will be restored.

Note: This action will reset the DNS zone to default and erase any user-added records in the process. It is recommended that any important records be backed up prior to doing so.

Managing DNS in cPanel does not have to be daunting. Understanding what each record does and how to configure it ensures that your website, email, and services run reliably. From connecting your domain with servers through A and AAAA records, securing emails with MX and TXT entries, to handling advanced services using SRV or CAA records, every setting plays a role in your online presence.

Properly setting up DNS, and occasionally reviewing it, will not only improve performance but also enhance security and reduce instances of downtime, while giving full control over your domain. By mastering these steps in cPanel, you can manage your online infrastructure confidently and avoid common pitfalls that might disrupt your website or email services.

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