How to configure DNS for your domain
Point your domain to UnderHost by updating nameservers or individual DNS records. This guide covers A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, and TXT records with practical examples.
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There are two ways to point a domain at UnderHost: update your nameservers (easiest, most complete) or manage individual DNS records at your registrar. This guide covers both methods and explains each record type along the way.
If UnderHost is your only hosting provider for this domain, change the nameservers-it's simpler and gives our system full control. If you're splitting DNS (e.g. email at one provider, website at another), manage individual records instead.
Option 1-Update your nameservers
Nameservers tell the internet which DNS provider is authoritative for your domain. Pointing them to UnderHost delegates all DNS management to us.
Find your UnderHost nameservers
Your nameservers are shown in your welcome email and in CustomerPanel under your hosting service details. The standard UnderHost nameservers are:
| Hosting type | Nameserver 1 | Nameserver 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting (Canada) | ns01.underhost.com | ns02.underhost.com |
| Offshore Hosting | dns1.underhost.com | dns2.underhost.com |
| VPS / Dedicated | Check your welcome email-varies by server | |
Update nameservers at your registrar
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Log in to your domain registrar
Go to your registrar's control panel (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or wherever you registered the domain).
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Find DNS / Nameserver settings
Look for "DNS", "Nameservers", or "Domain Management". Choose the option to use custom nameservers rather than the registrar's default ones.
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Enter UnderHost nameservers
Replace any existing nameservers with the two UnderHost nameservers shown above. Remove any extra nameserver entries if the form allows more than two.
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Save and wait for propagation
Save your changes. Propagation typically takes 1–4 hours but can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. See DNS propagation explained to track progress and understand propagation globally.
Option 2-Manage individual DNS records
If you're keeping your current DNS provider but want to point specific records at UnderHost, you'll add or edit records manually. You'll need your UnderHost server IP address, which appears in cPanel under Server Information.
Point your website to UnderHost
Add or update the A record for your root domain (@) and the www subdomain:
| Name | Type | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
@ (root) | A | Your UnderHost server IP | 3600 |
www | A or CNAME | Your IP, or yourdomain.com | 3600 |
Point email to UnderHost mail servers
To receive email through your UnderHost account, add an MX record:
| Name | Type | Value | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
@ | MX | mail.yourdomain.com | 0 |
DNS record reference
| Type | Purpose | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Maps a hostname to an IPv4 address | Point domain to server |
| AAAA | Maps a hostname to an IPv6 address | IPv6 hosting |
| CNAME | Alias-points one hostname to another | www → root domain |
| MX | Specifies mail servers for a domain | Email delivery |
| TXT | Arbitrary text, used for verification and email auth | SPF, DKIM, DMARC, domain verification |
| NS | Delegates a domain to nameservers | Nameserver delegation |
| CAA | Restricts which CAs can issue SSL certificates | SSL security |
You cannot use a CNAME on the root domain (@) alongside other records like MX. Use an A record for the root domain and CNAME only for subdomains.
DNS propagation
After any DNS change, resolvers around the world need time to update. The delay depends on the record's TTL (Time To Live) value-lower TTL means faster propagation.
Before a planned lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least 24 hours in advance. After the change, resolvers refresh quickly and your cutover window shrinks to minutes.
See DNS propagation explained to check the current DNS state from multiple locations worldwide.
Troubleshooting
ipconfig /flushdns, on macOS run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. Also check propagation from global resolvers using our tool.Related: DNS record types explained-A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and more | What is DNS propagation and how long does it take? | What nameservers should I use for UnderHost? | How to point a domain to UnderHost hosting
Need DNS pointed to UnderHost?
Order hosting first, then use your service details to update nameservers, A records, email records, and SSL correctly.
