If you’re hosting your website with a provider that uses cPanel, there may come a time when you’re asked to “edit DNS records” perhaps for setting up email, verifying domain ownership, connecting third-party services, or pointing your domain to a new server.
While it may sound technical, editing DNS zone records from cPanel is quite manageable if you follow a careful step-by-step approach.
This article is designed to help you, as a website owner or hosting client, understand what DNS records do, which ones are critical, and how to edit them safely using cPanel.
What Is a DNS Zone?
The DNS (Domain Name System) acts like the internet’s phone book. Every time someone types your domain name (e.g., example.com
), DNS translates it into the server’s IP address, allowing browsers to load your website.
A DNS Zone is the part of DNS that contains all the domain’s settings, such as:
-
Where the website is hosted
-
Which mail servers handle email
-
Redirects or aliases
-
Third-party service verifications
These are defined through DNS records.
Common DNS Records You’ll Encounter
Before editing anything, it’s important to know what each DNS record does:
Record Type | Purpose |
---|---|
A Record | Points domain to an IP address |
CNAME Record | Aliases one domain to another |
MX Record | Defines mail servers for the domain |
TXT Record | Used for domain verification, SPF, DKIM |
AAAA Record | Like A record but for IPv6 |
SRV Record | Used for services like SIP, Office 365 |
NS Record | Shows which nameservers manage your domain |
How to Access DNS Zone Editor in cPanel
-
Login to your cPanel dashboard
Usually accessible atyourdomain.com/cpanel
with your hosting credentials. -
Scroll to the ‘Domains’ section
-
Click on Zone Editor
You will now see a list of domains associated with your account.
-
Click Manage next to the domain you want to edit.
How to Add or Edit a DNS Record
Inside the DNS Zone Editor, you’ll see a table of existing records and buttons to add new ones.
To Add a Record
-
Click + Add Record
-
Choose the record type (A, CNAME, TXT, etc.)
-
Fill in:
-
Name: e.g.,
www
ormail
or@
(for root domain) -
TTL: Time-to-live (leave as default like 14400)
-
Record Data: e.g., IP address or hostname
-
Click Add Record when done.
To Edit an Existing Record
-
Click Edit next to the specific record
-
Modify the relevant fields (e.g., update IP or hostname)
-
Click Save Record
Always double-check values before saving. One wrong change can break your website or email service.
Use Cases and Examples
1. Point Your Domain to a New Web Host (A Record)
-
Find the IP address from your new host
-
Edit the A record for the root domain (
@
) andwww
-
Replace old IP with new IP
2. Set Up Third-Party Email Services (MX Record + TXT)
-
Delete old MX records
-
Add new MX records as provided by Gmail, Outlook, etc.
-
Add TXT records for SPF and DKIM to authenticate email
3. Verify Your Domain for Tools like Google or Mailchimp
-
Add a TXT record with the verification string
-
Use “@” for root domain or a specific subdomain if instructed
Safety Tips When Editing DNS
-
Back Up Records First
Copy all existing records into a document before changing anything. -
Use TTL Wisely
Shorter TTL values (e.g., 300) help propagate changes faster. Increase TTL later for stability. -
Avoid Editing NS Records
Unless instructed, don’t modify Nameserver records these are usually set by your registrar. -
Wait for DNS Propagation
Changes may take up to 24–48 hours globally. Be patient and test with tools like DNS Checker. -
Check Email Deliverability
After editing MX or TXT records, test email sending/receiving to make sure nothing broke.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake | Risk |
---|---|
Deleting records without knowing purpose | Website or emails can stop working |
Mixing up A and CNAME | Can cause redirection issues |
Using wrong domain name format (e.g., missing dot) | Record might not apply correctly |
Using wrong IP or values | Service won’t connect properly |
Not saving changes | Updates won’t take effect |
Tools to Help You
-
DNS Checker – to verify propagation
-
MXToolbox – to test MX and SPF records
-
IntoDNS – for a full DNS health check
-
What’s My DNS – for checking records from different countries
Conclusion
Editing DNS zone records from cPanel might feel technical at first, but once you understand the basic record types and follow a step-by-step process, it’s manageable and even empowering.
Whether you’re pointing your domain to a new server, setting up email, or connecting third-party tools your cPanel DNS Zone Editor puts control in your hands.
Just remember: when in doubt, back up first and double-check everything. One careful edit can save hours of troubleshooting.