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Changing Domain Nameservers

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Changing Nameservers for a Domain

Changing your domain’s nameservers tells the internet where your domain’s settings are managed. You can update these settings yourself, so nameserver changes are something you make directly, rather than something Zen updates for you.

Before you begin:

Before making any changes, it’s important to speak to whoever looks after your website and email or your IT team. Changing nameservers can affect:

Website availability
Email delivery
Other services linked to your domain

DNS changes can also take time to fully update across the internet, so the effects may not be immediate.

How nameservers work:

A simple way to think about this is:

If your nameservers point to Zen, the DNS records shown in Zen are the ones actively being used
If your nameservers do not point to Zen, the DNS records listed in Zen are not live

Because of this, it’s important to pause and double‑check before making any changes.

Do you really need to change nameservers?

Some website hosts or email providers require certain DNS records to be added. In many cases, you only need to update or add those records—there’s no need to move all DNS management away from Zen.

If you’re unsure what’s required, check with your IT contact or your hosting provider to confirm exactly what they need.

Quick check

As a general rule:

If the nameservers include zen.co.uk, your domain’s DNS is being managed by Zen
If they don’t, your domain is using another DNS provider—perhaps a previous provider or a different hosting company

Always make sure you understand the impact before changing your nameservers.

1. Logging into your Portal

Go to the "My Account" section of the Zen website and enter your username or password

Note - If you are not signed up for the portal click the button to "Sign Up for a Zen Account"

2. Finding Your Domain Settings

Click "My Services" tab at the top of the portal page
Find your domain from the list, then select View More

Your Domain with the option to View More

Select the option for Go to DNS settings

Your Domain with the option to Go to DNS Settings

Now select the option for Nameserver tools

DNS Tools with Nameserver tools highlighted

3. Enter the Nameservers you want to use

Before you continue

Updating nameservers moves control of your domain’s DNS. This may impact your website, email, and other connected services.

If you’re unsure whether this change is needed, please speak to your IT contact or Domain provider before going ahead.

If you make any changes to your nameservers, please take a note of your current settings.

Please allow up to 48 hours for these changes to take effect.

Select Edit to Add both the Primary and Secondary nameservers

Edit the Nameservers to add or use Zen default with the sabe option highlighted

If you want Zen to manage your domain’s DNS, choose Zen Default. This will update the nameservers so that Zen controls your DNS settings.

Take a moment to make sure the nameservers you enter are correct—using the wrong ones can affect your website, email, and other connected services.

Save the changes

Once you’re happy with the nameservers, click Save to apply the changes.

4. Things to Know

If you want Zen to manage your DNS, your nameservers must point to Zen
If you want another provider to manage your DNS, your nameservers need to point to that provider instead

Only change nameservers when it’s genuinely required. Changing them switches where your domain’s DNS is controlled, which can have wide‑reaching effects if done incorrectly.