DNS Basics
- What is DNS and how does it work?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-friendly domain names like example.com into IP addresses that computers use to connect. It works through a distributed network of servers that look up and return the correct IP address for a domain. - How long does DNS propagation take?
DNS propagation typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on the TTL of the records and how widely they were cached. Most changes are visible within a few hours. - What is the difference between an A record and a CNAME record?
An A record maps a domain name directly to an IPv4 address, while a CNAME record maps a domain name to another domain name (an alias). A records point to IPs; CNAMEs point to other names. - How do I change my domain's nameservers?
Log in to your domain registrar's control panel, find the DNS or nameserver settings for your domain, and replace the current nameservers with the new ones provided by your hosting or DNS provider. Save the changes and wait for propagation. - Why is my domain not resolving after I changed DNS?
Your domain may not resolve due to DNS propagation delays, incorrect records at the new provider, or caching on your device or ISP. Check your DNS settings and wait up to 48 hours for changes to fully propagate. - What is a TTL in DNS and what should I set it to?
TTL (Time to Live) is how long DNS resolvers cache a record. A common default is 3600 seconds (1 hour); use 300 seconds (5 minutes) when you plan to change records soon.