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What Is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) is the system that determines which server your domain points to. When a visitor types your domain into their browser, DNS translates that name into your server's IP address and directs the visitor to the correct hosting server. In simple terms, DNS works like the internet's "phone book."
DNS settings don't just control your website — they also govern your email service, subdomains, and any other services you use (CDN, firewall, etc.), so changes should be made carefully.
Why Would You Need to Change DNS?
- After a hosting migration
- Switching to a new hosting provider or server
- Changing your email service
- Using a CDN or security service (e.g., Cloudflare)
- Improving performance and speed
- Keeping your current hosting provider after transferring your domain to Domain.com.tr
What to Do Before Changing DNS
To avoid downtime, it's recommended that you prepare the following before making changes:
- Back up your current DNS records (A, MX, CNAME, TXT). Take screenshots from your old hosting panel or DNS provider — this lets you roll back if something goes wrong.
- Have your new hosting or DNS provider's nameserver (NS) information ready. You can usually find this in the confirmation email after purchasing hosting, or in your hosting panel.
- Check your MX records if you use email. If your email is hosted by a different provider (e.g., Google Workspace, Domain.com.tr Professional Email), changing nameservers can interrupt email flow — you'll need to redefine MX records on the new system.
- Make the change during low-traffic hours (e.g., at night), so fewer visitors are affected by any fluctuations during propagation.
Step-by-Step: How to Change DNS Settings
Step 1: Log In to Your Domain Panel
Log in to the customer panel of the company where your domain is registered. If your domain is registered with Domain.com.tr, you can log in through the Client Area.
Step 2: Open DNS / Nameserver Settings
Go to your domain's management page and look for a section called "DNS Settings", "Nameserver Management", or similar.
Note the two different methods:
- Nameserver change: Use this if you want to hand over full DNS management to another provider (e.g., your new hosting company).
- DNS record editing (A/CNAME/MX): Use this if you want to update a specific record (e.g., pointing only a subdomain to a different server) without changing nameservers.
Step 3: Enter the New Nameserver (NS) Information
Enter the NS information provided by your new hosting or service provider. Usually at least 2 nameservers are required.
Example:
ns1.newhosting.com
ns2.newhosting.com
Step 4: Save Your DNS Changes
Save your changes. The DNS propagation process begins at this stage.
Step 5: Check Propagation
You can check how widely your change has propagated worldwide using a free tool like whatsmydns.net. This lets you see whether DNS servers in different countries are still showing the old or the new records.
How Long Does DNS Propagation Take?
- DNS propagation typically takes 1–24 hours.
- In some cases, depending on the TTL (Time to Live) value of the old records, this can take up to 48 hours.
During this period, your site may load from the old server for some visitors and the new server for others — this is normal and simply part of how DNS works.
Does My Site Go Down During a DNS Change?
No. As long as you don't cancel your old hosting account, your site continues running without interruption — because until propagation completes, some visitors still reach your (still-active) site on the old server. To avoid downtime:
- Make sure your new hosting account is fully set up and working
- Keep your old hosting account active for a few days after the DNS change, until propagation completes
- If you cancel the old account too early, visitors still seeing the old DNS record won't be able to reach your site
Common Issues
| Issue | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Site shows "not found" error | Site files haven't been uploaded to the new server yet | Upload your site to the new hosting before changing nameservers |
| Emails aren't arriving | MX records haven't been set up on the new system | Manually add MX records in the new DNS/hosting panel |
| Change doesn't seem to be propagating | Browser/DNS cache is showing the old record | Clear your browser cache or test from a different device/network |
| SSL certificate error | Certificate is tied to the old server and not yet installed on the new one | Reinstall/activate the SSL certificate on the new hosting |
Frequently Asked Questions
My site won't load after changing DNS — what should I do? DNS propagation may not be complete yet. It's recommended to wait a few hours and check propagation status with whatsmydns.net. If the issue persists after propagation completes, make sure your site files are correctly uploaded to the new server.
Does a DNS change affect email? Yes. If MX records are entered incorrectly or not set up on the new system, your email service can be affected. It's important to note your email provider's MX records before changing nameservers.
Does DNS only control where my website points? No. DNS records cover your website (A/CNAME), email (MX), domain verification (TXT), and other services. This means a nameserver change can affect your email and any other integrations, not just your website.
Should I change nameservers or just a single DNS record? If you're moving all hosting/DNS management to another provider, change your nameservers. If you only need to update a specific subdomain or a single record, it's safer to edit just that DNS record (A, CNAME, etc.) without touching your nameservers.
Why Domain.com.tr?
- Easy-to-use DNS management panel
- Fast nameserver updates
- Expert technical support team
- Step-by-step guidance for a seamless transition
DNS Change Support
For any questions about changing your DNS settings, open a support ticket to reach the Domain.com.tr support team.
