I changed my Name Servers (DNS) on my domain. Why has this change not taken affect yet?

Your domain’s name servers can be modified in the “Name Servers” section of the Domain Management Interface

Once the correct Name Servers are listed, it normally takes 24-48 hours for the change to propagate to all computers on the Internet.   However, the configuration of the Name Servers themselves is an important factor as well.  You should consider speaking to the administrator of those new name servers to find out if they have also been configured correctly for your use.

If a domain is not resolving the way you expect it to, you should contact your Name Server (DNS) Administrator or your Provider for assistance.

Related Questions

• Why am I receiving this error: “unable to verify existence of name server”?

  Detailed answer
   

  If you are trying to modify your name servers and you receive the error “unable to verify existence of nameserver”, the name server you are trying to use has not yet been registered with the same domain’s Registry.

  For instance, if you received “unable to verify existence of name server” while updating the name servers for EXAMPLE.COM, it means those name servers are not registered with the .COM Registry.

  Even if a name server is functional, it may not be allowed by a particular Registry.  Most registries keep a list of valid name servers and any foreign name server host record must be added before it can be used.

  Your Domain Provider can add the required name server to all TLD Registries for you.

   

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• How do I change my Name Servers (DNS)?

  Detailed answer
   

  To find out what Name Servers (DNS) means, see this article.

  To change your Name Servers, log into your Domain Management Interface, and click the Name Servers link.  You will see a screen similar to this:

  

  Name Server section of the Domain Management Interface

  Enter the nameservers for the domain name into the Nameserver entry boxes.

  Note: You only have to add the host name of the Name Server. (ie: NS1.EXAMPLE.COM)  The IP address of the server is handled automatically.

  After the changes are made, click Save Configuration.  Please note this action does not delete the name server itself — it only removes it from being used by this domain name.

  To remove a nameserver, you simply erase it from the entry box.

  This procedure assumes that the name servers you specify are registered, valid Internet name servers.   Some Registries (such as .ORG) maintain their own databases of registered, valid name servers, rather following the Registry of .COM/.NET nameservers database.  If you are receive a message about being unable to verify existence of name server, this is probably because the name server is not in that Registry’s database.  Contact your Domain Provider to have those name servers added to the Registry’s database.

  The name servers’ IP addresses will only be displayed when you use a name server based on the same TLD.   For example, the IP address will show up when you use a .ORG name server (ex: NS1.EXAMPLE.ORG) on a .ORG domain (ex: EXAMPLE.ORG).  If the numerical IP address is not displayed on this page, please note that it has no effect on the domain name.

  Related entry: Why am I receiving this error: “unable to verify existence of name server”?

   

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• Advanced Topic: How can I create, modify or delete a name server (DNS) that is BASED on my domain name?

  Related Topics: DNS - Custom Servers

  Detailed answer
   

  This process describes creating, modifying or deleting a name server that is BASED on a domain name. This is only for individuals who are doing something like starting up their own Internet Service Provider (ISP), or want to run their own DNS (domain name server) machines so they can manage services for their domain name.

  If all you need to do is change DNS on your domain so that you are hosting with a different company, look into at changing your DNS/name server.

  Only the domain owner can create a nameserver host record. This can be done via the Domain Management Interface.

  Nameserver IP addresses are not required by most Registries and are not displayed by our system. This does not affect the operation of the nameserver.

  BEFORE YOU PROCEED PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

  This option is usually only done by Internet Service Providers, Web Hosting companies or experienced system administrators on behalf of domain owners. Please ensure that the server hostnames you are creating are running DNS/BIND software in order for the name servers to work properly.

  IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION, AS YOU MAY CAUSE YOUR DOMAIN TO STOP FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE IT CAN TAKE UP TO 48 HOURS FOR THE CORRECTION TO PROPAGATE ACROSS THE INTERNET!

  To begin managing name servers which are based on your domain name:

  1. Log into a Domain Management Interface
  2. Choose Name Servers from the options at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page where it says If you want to create of modify a name server based on domain name, click here.
  4. Click there
  5. You will see a set of boxes, one of which will accept data.   The second box will not be editable, and will display your domain name.  Choose a nameserver prefix and type it into the box.   PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT USE WWW or MAIL AS A NAME SERVER PREFIX! NS1 or DNS1 would be a good idea. The full contents of these boxes (eg. DNS1.EXAMPLE.COM) will be the name of the new name server. In the IP box, you will need to type in the IP address of your domain’s name server.
  6. Click on the Create Nameserver option

  You should see a note that says Name server DNS1.EXAMPLE.COM is registered.   This means the registry knows of the existence of your name server.   It will take 24 – 48 hours before your nameserver info propagates to the rest of the world.

  A handy tool to help with debugging of domain/DNS issues is http://www.dnsreport.com .   If it says your domain is not listed in the root servers, wait 24 hours to allow time for the root servers to refresh.

   

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• Advanced Topic: I created my own name server (DNS) based on my domain name. How can I rename it?

  Related Topics: DNS - Custom Servers

  Detailed answer
   

  This is usually done by an ISP if they are migrating their name servers to a new machine. (ie NS1.EXAMPLE.COM to DNS1.EXAMPLE.COM)

  1. Log into the Domain Management Interface
  2. Click on the Manage Name Servers section
  3. Click on the link at the bottom of the page that says If you want to create or modify a name server which is based on {your domain} click here
  4. Change the old host name to the new one
  5. Click Save Configuration

  This change will be automatically applied to all domains using this name server.

  Note that this will only rename name servers within the same Registry.   This means that if you rename a .COM nameserver, it will only update COM/NET domains as they are run by the same Registry (operated by Verisign).  Renaming a .COM/.NET name server will not update .ORG domains! (.ORG Registry is operated by the Public Interest Registry)

   

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• How can I perform a bulk Name Server (DNS) update for multiple domains at the same time?

  Detailed answer
   

  Please contact your Provider.  They may be able to assist you in a bulk DNS update.

   

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