Understand DNS records

Find the authoritative DNS provider

A domain's nameservers determine which provider publishes its DNS zone. Editing records in cPanel affects visitors only if that zone is authoritative for the domain. A registrar and a DNS host can be different companies.

Recognize common records

• A points a hostname to an IPv4 address.
• AAAA points a hostname to an IPv6 address.
• CNAME points one hostname to another hostname.
• MX directs incoming mail to a mail service.
• TXT carries verification and policies such as SPF.
• CAA can restrict certificate issuance.

Use the exact record type, name, and value supplied by your service. Do not invent server addresses or replace mail records during an unrelated website change.

Edit and verify

If cPanel hosts the authoritative zone, open Zone Editor, choose the domain, and select Manage. Record the old values before editing. DNS caches can continue returning earlier records until their cache periods expire. Compare the authoritative answer with what the browser sees before repeating a change.

Reference: cPanel Zone Editor.