After purchasing web hosting, one of the most important steps is connecting your domain name to your website. Without the correct domain configuration, visitors may not be able to reach the website hosted on your Hostinger account.
Whether you registered your domain with Hostinger or purchased it from another provider, you can connect it to your hosting account. The process usually involves adding the domain to your website and updating its nameservers or DNS records.
In this guide, we will explain how to set up a domain on Hostinger, how to connect an existing domain, how to configure nameservers and A records, and how to check whether everything is working correctly.
- What does setting up a domain mean?
- What you need before starting
- Choose how to connect your domain
- Step 1: Add your domain to Hostinger
- Step 2: Find your Hostinger nameservers
- Step 3: Update nameservers at your registrar
- Alternative: Connect using A records
- What if your domain is already registered at Hostinger?
- Step 4: Understand and manage DNS records
- Step 5: Check SSL and HTTPS
- Step 6: Verify your domain connection
- Common domain connection problems
- Frequently asked questions
What Does Setting Up a Domain on Hostinger Mean?
A domain name is the address people use to visit your website. For example, when someone enters example.com into a browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) helps the browser locate the server where that website is hosted.
If you purchased hosting from Hostinger but registered your domain with another provider, you need to connect the two services. This process is commonly called pointing a domain to hosting.
Where your domain is registered
The company where you purchased and manage your domain registration, such as Hostinger or another domain registrar.
Where your website is stored
The service that stores your website files and databases and makes them accessible to visitors.
You do not have to transfer your domain registration to Hostinger just to use Hostinger hosting. You can keep your domain with its current registrar and simply update the DNS settings.
What You Need Before Setting Up Your Domain
Before changing any domain settings, make sure you have access to the services involved.
- An active Hostinger hosting plan or compatible website service.
- A domain name that you own or are authorized to manage.
- Access to your Hostinger dashboard.
- Access to the account where your domain is registered.
- Control over the domain's nameserver or DNS settings.
- A clear understanding of any existing email services connected to the domain.
Choose How to Connect Your Domain to Hostinger
There are two common ways to point a domain registered with another provider to Hostinger.
Change nameservers
Update the nameservers at your domain registrar to the exact Hostinger values. This is generally suitable if you want Hostinger to manage your domain's DNS zone.
Change A records
Keep your current DNS provider and update the relevant A records to the IP address provided by Hostinger. This can be useful when you want to keep DNS management elsewhere.
Step 1: Add Your Domain to Your Hostinger Website
Sign in to your Hostinger account
Visit the official Hostinger website and sign in to the account where your hosting plan is active.
Open the Websites section
From the Hostinger dashboard, open Websites and find the website you want to connect to your domain.
If you have not created a website yet, select the option to create or add a website and follow the setup process. You may be able to enter your custom domain during setup or use a temporary domain and connect your own domain later.
Start the domain connection process
Find the website in your dashboard and look for the Connect or Connect your domain option. Follow the connection guide shown in your account.
Hostinger may detect your current DNS provider and provide a direct route to its login page. You can also select your domain provider manually if needed.
Step 2: Find Your Hostinger Nameservers
If you choose the nameserver method, you first need to find the correct nameserver values for your hosting service.
Do not copy nameserver values from an unrelated tutorial or another user's account. Hostinger instructs users to retrieve the exact values displayed in their own dashboard because they can vary by domain or hosting setup.
How to find your nameservers
- Open your Hostinger dashboard.
- Go to the Websites section.
- Find the website you want to connect.
- Select Connect next to the domain connection message.
- Copy the nameservers displayed in the connection guide.
For eligible web and cloud hosting plans, you may also find the nameservers under the website's Plan Details section.
Step 3: Update Nameservers at Your Domain Registrar
If your domain is registered with another company, sign in to that provider's account to update its nameserver settings.
Open your domain management settings
Find your domain in the registrar's dashboard. Open its management page and locate the DNS, Nameservers, or Domain Settings section.
Replace the existing nameservers
Select the option to use custom nameservers if required. Remove the old nameserver values and enter the exact Hostinger nameservers copied from your dashboard.
Save the changes
Review the values carefully and save the new nameserver settings. Your registrar may display a confirmation message after the changes are submitted.
After changing nameservers, DNS management generally moves to the new nameserver provider. If you want to make further DNS changes, you will normally do so through Hostinger's DNS tools.
Alternative: Connect Your Domain Using A Records
You do not always need to change nameservers. If you want to keep your DNS management with your current provider, you can connect the domain using A records instead.
This method is particularly useful if your domain already uses a DNS service such as Cloudflare or you want to keep existing DNS management in place.
Find the A record connection option
Return to the domain connection guide in Hostinger. Select the option to connect using DNS records or A records.
Hostinger will display the IP address or addresses required for your domain. Copy the values directly from the dashboard.
Open your current DNS provider
Sign in to the provider where your domain's DNS is currently managed. Open the DNS records or DNS zone management section.
Review existing DNS records
Hostinger's current connection guide instructs users to remove conflicting A and/or AAAA records for the root domain (@), and conflicting A or CNAME records for www, before adding the required records.
Review each existing record carefully before removing it. Make sure you understand whether it is used by another service.
Add the required A records
Create the A records for the root domain and www using the IP address displayed in your Hostinger connection guide.
A typical DNS record has the following fields:
| Field | Example or meaning |
|---|---|
| Type | A |
| Name | @ for the root domain, or www for the www hostname |
| Points to | The exact Hostinger IP address shown in your dashboard |
| TTL | Use the provider's default or recommended value |
If you use the A record method, your existing email records generally remain unchanged because you are not replacing the nameservers. If you want to use Hostinger Email, you may need to add its required email DNS records manually.
What If Your Domain Is Already Registered at Hostinger?
If both your domain and hosting plan are registered under the same Hostinger account, the setup process is usually simpler.
Domains registered with Hostinger on the same account are generally configured to use Hostinger nameservers by default. You normally do not need to manually replace nameservers just to connect that domain to your hosting plan.
What you should do
- Sign in to your Hostinger dashboard.
- Open the Websites section.
- Find your website or hosting plan.
- Make sure the domain is added to the correct website.
- Follow any remaining connection instructions displayed in the dashboard.
If the domain is registered under a different Hostinger account, you may need to verify ownership or resolve the account association before completing the connection.
Step 4: Understand and Manage DNS Records
DNS records tell the internet how to handle different types of requests for your domain. You may need to manage them when connecting hosting, configuring email, verifying domain ownership, or using external services.
| DNS Record | Purpose | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Points a hostname to an IPv4 address. | Connecting a domain to a hosting server. |
| AAAA | Points a hostname to an IPv6 address. | Connecting a domain to an IPv6-enabled server. |
| CNAME | Creates an alias for another hostname. | Pointing www to the main domain or another service. |
| MX | Identifies the mail servers responsible for receiving email. | Configuring domain email. |
| TXT | Stores text information associated with a domain. | Domain verification, SPF, and other email security records. |
| SRV | Specifies the location and port of a service. | Configuring supported communication services. |
Where to find Hostinger's DNS Zone Editor
If your domain uses Hostinger nameservers, you can manage its DNS records through the Hostinger dashboard.
For a website with an active web hosting plan, the current navigation path is generally:
If you have only purchased a domain without hosting, DNS management is available through the domain's DNS or Nameservers section in your dashboard.
Step 5: Check SSL and HTTPS
After connecting your domain, check whether SSL is active for your website. SSL helps encrypt the connection between your website and visitors.
How to check SSL
- Open your Hostinger dashboard.
- Go to the website management area.
- Find the Security or SSL section.
- Check the SSL status for your domain.
- Follow the instructions if SSL needs to be activated or configured.
Once SSL is active, open your website using HTTPS and confirm that the browser displays a secure connection.
If the domain was connected recently, SSL issuance may not complete immediately. Wait until the domain points correctly to your hosting service and check the status again.
Step 6: Verify That Your Domain Is Connected
After updating nameservers or DNS records, you should verify that the changes are visible and that your website loads correctly.
1. Use Hostinger's connection status
Return to the domain connection guide in your Hostinger dashboard. Its live DNS check can monitor the connection and indicate when the required changes are detected.
2. Open your domain in a browser
Enter your domain with and without www, where both versions are intended to work. Check whether they load the correct website.
3. Check DNS propagation
DNS changes can take time to appear across different networks. You can use a DNS propagation checker to see whether your nameserver or DNS record changes are visible.
4. Test email and other connected services
If your domain is used for email or third-party services, test those services after making DNS changes. Confirm that email sending and receiving still work.
Common Hostinger Domain Setup Problems and Fixes
1. Domain is not connecting to Hostinger
Check that you entered the exact nameservers or IP addresses shown in your Hostinger dashboard. Confirm that the domain is active and that the changes were saved at your registrar.
2. Website is still showing the old hosting provider
DNS propagation may still be in progress. Check the current DNS records, wait for caches to update, and test the domain again.
3. Domain works without www but not with www
Check the DNS record for www. Depending on your DNS configuration, you may need an appropriate A record or CNAME record so that both versions reach your website.
4. Domain email stopped working
Review your MX records and email authentication records. If you changed nameservers, make sure the DNS zone contains the correct records for your existing email provider.
5. SSL is not activating
Confirm that the domain points to the correct hosting service and that DNS changes have propagated. Then check the SSL section in your Hostinger dashboard.
6. DNS Zone Editor is missing
Check whether your domain uses Hostinger nameservers and whether the domain and hosting plan are associated with the correct account. If your DNS is managed elsewhere, make changes at that provider instead.
Domain Setup Checklist
Before considering your domain setup complete, review these important points:
- Domain is active and under your control.
- Domain has been added to the correct Hostinger website.
- Correct nameservers or A records have been entered.
- DNSSEC requirements have been checked.
- Existing email records have been protected.
- DNS propagation has completed.
- Domain opens the correct website.
- Both www and non-www versions work as intended.
- SSL is active and HTTPS works.
- Website and email services have been tested.
Final Thoughts: Setting Up a Domain on Hostinger
Connecting a domain to Hostinger is straightforward once you understand how nameservers and DNS records work. If your domain is registered with Hostinger under the same account, the connection may require very little manual configuration.
If your domain is registered elsewhere, you can usually connect it by changing nameservers or updating the required A records. Nameservers are convenient when you want Hostinger to manage DNS, while A records can help you keep DNS management with your existing provider.
The most important precaution is to protect your existing email and other DNS services before making changes. Always copy the exact values from your Hostinger dashboard, wait for propagation, and verify that your website and email work correctly.
Ready to Connect Your Domain?
Open your Hostinger dashboard, follow the domain connection guide, and use the exact DNS values provided for your hosting account.
Visit HostingerFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do I set up a domain on Hostinger?
Sign in to Hostinger, add your domain to the website, and follow the connection guide. If the domain is registered elsewhere, update its nameservers or A records at your domain provider using the values shown in your Hostinger dashboard.
2. Can I connect a domain purchased from another provider?
Yes. You can connect a domain registered with another provider by changing its nameservers to Hostinger's values or by updating the required A records while keeping your existing DNS provider.
3. Do I need to transfer my domain to Hostinger?
No. You can use a domain registered elsewhere with Hostinger hosting. Transferring the registration is optional and is not required just to point your domain to your website.
4. Where can I find Hostinger nameservers?
Open your Hostinger dashboard, go to Websites, find your website, and select Connect next to the domain connection message. Hostinger displays the nameservers required for your domain. Use those exact values rather than copying them from another source.
5. Should I change nameservers or A records?
Change nameservers if you want Hostinger to manage your domain's DNS zone. Use A records if you prefer to keep DNS management with your current provider. Consider your existing email and other DNS services before choosing.
6. How long does it take for a domain to connect to Hostinger?
DNS changes often take effect within a few hours, but Hostinger advises allowing up to 24 hours for propagation. The exact time depends on DNS caching and the providers involved.
7. Will changing nameservers affect my email?
It can. Changing nameservers moves DNS management to the new provider and may change email-related DNS records. If you use an external email service, preserve or recreate its MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records as required.
8. What is the difference between an A record and a nameserver?
An A record points a specific hostname to an IPv4 address. Nameservers identify the DNS service responsible for managing the domain's DNS records, including A, MX, CNAME, and TXT records.
9. Why is my domain not working after changing DNS?
The changes may still be propagating, or the DNS records may contain incorrect values. Check your Hostinger connection guide, confirm the settings at your registrar, and allow time for DNS updates to become visible.
10. Can I manage DNS records directly in Hostinger?
Yes, if your domain's active DNS is managed through Hostinger. You can use its DNS Zone Editor to manage supported records such as A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and SRV. If your nameservers point to another provider, manage the active DNS records there instead.
Editorial note: Hostinger dashboard labels, domain connection flows, and DNS requirements can change. Always use the exact nameservers and IP addresses displayed in your own account. Back up existing DNS records before making changes, especially if your domain is already used for email or other services.
