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How to Manage DNS Records with cPanel Zone Editor

Domains and DNS at GOZEN HOST

DNS controls where your domain points and how email is delivered. In cPanel, you manage DNS via the Zone Editor.

Warning

Only edit DNS in cPanel if your domain uses the DNS provider that cPanel is serving (usually your hosting nameservers). If your domain uses Cloudflare or another DNS provider, edit DNS there instead.

Open the Zone Editor

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to Domains → Zone Editor.
  3. Find your domain and click Manage.

You will now see a list of records and a button to Add record.

Add common DNS records

Add an A record (point a name to an IP)

Typical use: @ or www to your web server IP.

  1. Click + Add Record.
  2. Set: - Name: @ (root) or www - Type: A - Record / Address: your server IP - TTL: default is fine
  3. Click Save.

Add a CNAME record (alias one name to another)

Typical use: point www to @, or connect third-party services.

  1. Click + Add Record.
  2. Set: - Name: www - Type: CNAME - Record / Target: yourdomain.com.
  3. Click Save.

About the trailing dot

Some DNS UIs auto-add it. If cPanel accepts it, keep it. If not, omit it. The important part is the target value.

Add an MX record (email routing)

Only change MX records if you know where your email should be delivered.

  1. Click Manage (inside the domain).
  2. Click + Add Record → choose MX.
  3. Set: - Name: @ - Priority: provided by your mail provider - Destination: mail server host (example: mail.yourdomain.com)
  4. Click Save.

Add a TXT record (SPF, DMARC, verifications)

Typical use: SPF, DMARC, Google/Microsoft verification, DKIM (sometimes).

  1. Click + Add Record → TXT.
  2. Set: - Name: provided by the service (often @ or _dmarc) - Record: paste the TXT value
  3. Click Save.

Edit or remove existing records

  • Edit: locate the record and click Edit, then Save Record.
  • Delete: locate the record and click Delete.

Do not delete by guessing

Deleting MX, DKIM, or critical A records can take your site or email down immediately.

DNS propagation and TTL

Even after saving, the Internet may cache the old values.

  • Typical propagation: minutes to a few hours
  • Worst case (high TTL): up to 24 hours

Tip

If you plan a migration, lower TTL a day before the switch. Then you can raise it again later.

Troubleshooting

“My changes don’t work”

  • Confirm you edited DNS in the active DNS provider.
  • Clear local DNS cache or test from a different network.
  • Verify records with dig (advanced) or a DNS checker website.

“Email stopped working”

  • Check MX records did not get replaced or duplicated.
  • Verify SPF/DKIM/DMARC TXT values are correct.
  • If you moved email to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, apply their exact record set.

“Website not loading”

  • Confirm the correct A/AAAA records exist for @ and www.
  • If using Cloudflare proxy, DNS records must point to Cloudflare, not directly to the origin IP.

Summary

Use cPanel → Zone Editor to manage DNS only when cPanel is your DNS provider. Add A/CNAME for website routing and TXT/MX for email and verification. Change records carefully and expect propagation delay.