If you purchased a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another registrar and want to use it with Hostinger hosting, you may need to update its nameservers. This process connects your domain to Hostinger and allows Hostinger to manage its DNS records.
Updated: November 2026 · Beginner-friendly DNS guide
Quick answer: Open your Hostinger dashboard, find the exact nameservers assigned to your hosting plan, log in to your current domain registrar, replace the existing nameservers with the Hostinger values, and save the changes. Then allow time for DNS propagation.
You do not need to transfer your domain registration to Hostinger to do this. You can keep your domain registered with its current provider and simply point it to your Hostinger hosting account.
1. What Are Nameservers?
Nameservers are part of the Domain Name System (DNS). They tell the internet which DNS provider manages the records for your domain.
When someone enters your domain name into a browser, DNS helps the browser find the server where your website is hosted. Nameservers identify the DNS service responsible for providing the records needed to complete that process.
For example, suppose you purchased example.com from Namecheap and purchased a hosting plan from Hostinger. Your domain may still use Namecheap's default nameservers. To manage its DNS zone through Hostinger, you can replace those nameservers with the exact values provided in your Hostinger account.
What happens when you change nameservers?
Your domain starts using the DNS provider identified by the new nameservers.
DNS record management moves to the new provider.
Website traffic is directed according to the DNS records configured there.
Email delivery and other connected services may be affected if their DNS records are missing.
Important: Changing nameservers does not transfer your domain registration or move your website files. It only changes where your domain's DNS records are managed.
2. Things to Check Before Changing Nameservers
Before updating your domain settings, complete these checks. They can help prevent website downtime, email interruptions, and DNS configuration problems.
You own the domain or have permission to manage it.
Your domain is active and not expired or suspended.
You can log in to the registrar where the domain is registered.
Your domain has been added to the appropriate Hostinger hosting plan.
You have retrieved the exact nameservers from your Hostinger dashboard.
You have saved your existing DNS records.
You have checked whether your domain uses DNSSEC.
You have identified any external email or third-party services connected to the domain.
Save your existing DNS records
Before changing nameservers, take a copy or screenshot of your current DNS zone. Pay particular attention to the following records:
DNS Record
Purpose
Why It Matters
A
Points a domain to an IPv4 address.
May direct visitors to your existing website server.
AAAA
Points a domain to an IPv6 address.
May be required for services using IPv6.
CNAME
Points one hostname to another hostname.
May be used for www or external services.
MX
Identifies mail servers for your domain.
Important for receiving email.
TXT
Stores text-based DNS information.
Often used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC and verification.
Do not skip this step if you use business email. When nameservers change, your old DNS zone does not automatically become the active zone at Hostinger. Recreate the records required by your email provider and other services before relying on the new DNS configuration.
3. How to Find Hostinger Nameservers
Hostinger provides the nameservers required to connect your domain. The exact values can vary depending on your hosting type and domain, so do not copy nameservers from an unrelated tutorial or another user's account.
Go to the Websites section and locate the website or hosting plan where you want to connect your domain.
If the website is not added yet, create a website or add the domain to the appropriate hosting plan first. Follow the onboarding process and select your domain when prompted, or use a temporary domain and connect your own domain later.
Step 3
Open the Domain Connection Guide
If Hostinger shows a Connect option or a domain-not-connected message next to your website, open it.
Hostinger's connection guide can detect your current DNS provider and show the steps required to connect the domain.
Step 4
Copy the Nameserver Values
Choose the nameserver connection method. Hostinger will display the nameservers assigned to your domain or hosting setup.
Copy each value exactly as shown. You may see two nameserver entries, but always follow the number and values displayed in your own dashboard.
Do not assume the nameservers are the same for everyone. Hostinger's nameserver values may differ by service or configuration. Use the values displayed in your account rather than relying on examples found online.
4. How to Point Your Domain to Hostinger Nameservers
After copying your Hostinger nameservers, update them at the company where your domain is registered. If your domain is registered with GoDaddy, make the change in GoDaddy. If it is registered with Namecheap, make the change in Namecheap.
Step 1
Log in to Your Domain Registrar
Open the website of your domain provider and sign in to your account.
Make sure you are using the account that owns the domain. You generally cannot change nameservers from your Hostinger hosting dashboard when the domain is registered with another company.
Step 2
Open Your Domain Management Settings
Find the domain you want to connect to Hostinger. Open its management page and look for an option named:
DNS Management
Nameservers
Manage DNS
Domain Settings
Change Nameservers
The exact menu name depends on your registrar.
Step 3
Select the Custom Nameserver Option
Most registrars provide a default nameserver option and a custom nameserver option.
Select Custom Nameservers, Use My Own Nameservers, or the equivalent option. Do not select the registrar's default nameservers if your goal is to use Hostinger's DNS service.
Step 4
Replace the Existing Nameservers
Remove the old nameserver entries and enter the exact values copied from Hostinger.
These are placeholders, not actual nameserver addresses. Enter the real values shown in your Hostinger account.
Step 5
Save Your Changes
Review the entries carefully and click Save, Update, or Confirm, depending on your registrar.
Some registrars may ask you to confirm the change through an email or security prompt. Complete any additional verification they require.
Step 6
Return to Hostinger and Check the Connection
Return to your Hostinger dashboard and open the domain connection guide. Hostinger may provide a live DNS check that monitors whether the new nameservers have been detected.
Allow time for the changes to propagate. You can continue checking the status while the update spreads across DNS servers.
5. Changing Nameservers at Popular Registrars
The process is similar across domain registrars, but the dashboard layout and menu names may differ.
Find the Nameservers section under the domain settings.
Select Custom DNS from the available options.
Enter the nameserver values provided by Hostinger.
Save the changes.
How to change nameservers at other registrars
If you use another registrar, the menu may have a different name, but the general process remains the same:
Sign in to your domain registrar.
Open the domain's management page.
Locate the nameserver settings.
Choose custom nameservers.
Replace the old entries with Hostinger's values.
Save the settings and verify the change.
Tip: If you cannot find the nameserver settings, search your registrar's Help Center for "change domain nameservers" or contact its support team.
6. How Long Does DNS Propagation Take?
DNS propagation is the process through which updated DNS information becomes available across DNS resolvers around the world.
After changing nameservers, the update may become visible within a few hours, but Hostinger recommends allowing up to 24 hours for the changes to propagate. Some DNS changes can take longer depending on caching and the domain's configuration.
What happens during propagation?
Some visitors may reach your website through the new DNS configuration.
Other visitors may temporarily receive information from cached DNS records.
Your website may appear inconsistent from different networks or locations.
Email delivery can be affected if the new DNS zone is missing mail records.
During this period, avoid repeatedly changing nameservers or making unnecessary DNS edits. Confirm that the values are correct and give the update time to complete.
7. How to Check Whether Your Nameservers Are Updated
After saving the new nameservers, verify that the domain is using the correct values.
Method 1: Check through your registrar
Log in to your domain registrar and reopen the nameserver settings. Confirm that the Hostinger values are saved and that the old entries are no longer listed.
Method 2: Use an online DNS checker
You can use an online DNS lookup service to check which nameservers are currently published for your domain.
For example, open What's My DNS, enter your domain name, select the NS record type, and run the lookup.
Compare the returned nameservers with the values shown in your Hostinger dashboard. If some locations still show the previous nameservers, propagation may still be in progress.
Method 3: Check through Hostinger
Open the domain connection guide in your Hostinger dashboard. If the live DNS check detects the correct nameservers, Hostinger will indicate that the connection has been detected.
Once the nameservers are active, you can manage the domain's DNS records through Hostinger's DNS management tools.
8. How to Avoid Email and Website Problems
Changing nameservers changes the DNS provider responsible for your domain. This is why you should prepare your DNS zone before making the switch.
Protect your existing email service
If your email is hosted by Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, or another provider, make sure its DNS records are added to the new DNS zone.
Depending on your email provider, these may include:
MX records: Direct incoming email to the correct mail servers.
SPF records: Identify which servers are permitted to send email for your domain.
DKIM records: Publish the public key used to verify signed messages.
DMARC records: Define how receiving mail servers should handle authentication failures.
Get the exact record values from your email provider's official setup instructions. Do not copy generic values from another domain.
Check your website DNS records
Once Hostinger becomes your DNS provider, check that the domain's website records point to the correct hosting service.
If you use Hostinger web or cloud hosting, follow the domain connection instructions in your dashboard. If you use an external service such as Cloudflare, confirm whether you actually want to move DNS management to Hostinger before changing nameservers.
Check SSL after connecting the domain
After the domain points to your website, check whether its SSL certificate is active. If the site does not load over HTTPS, review the domain connection and SSL status in your Hostinger dashboard.
Important: Do not delete old DNS records until you have saved the information and confirmed that the replacement records are working. Missing DNS records can interrupt websites, email, verification services, and other connected applications.
9. Common Nameserver Errors and How to Fix Them
1. Website Is Not Loading After Changing Nameservers
This can happen while DNS propagation is in progress or when the new DNS zone does not contain the correct website records.
Confirm that the nameservers match the values in Hostinger.
Check whether the domain has been added to your hosting plan.
Verify the website's DNS records in Hostinger.
Allow time for DNS propagation.
Check the domain connection status in your dashboard.
2. Hostinger Shows That the Domain Is Not Connected
If Hostinger does not detect the domain connection, first confirm that the correct nameservers were entered at your registrar.
Check for typing mistakes, extra spaces, or missing nameserver entries. If the values are correct, wait for propagation and use Hostinger's live DNS check again.
3. Email Is Not Working After the Nameserver Change
This usually means that the new DNS zone does not contain the correct email records.
Check the MX records.
Restore the correct SPF and DKIM records.
Check the DMARC record if your provider uses one.
Confirm that the email provider's verification records are present.
4. DNSSEC Is Preventing the Connection
DNSSEC adds a layer of authenticity to DNS responses. However, an incorrect or outdated DNSSEC configuration can prevent a domain from resolving correctly after changing DNS providers.
Hostinger's domain connection instructions require DNSSEC to be disabled before pointing the domain. Check your registrar's DNSSEC settings and follow the current instructions for your domain extension.
Do not leave old DS records active when they no longer match the new DNS provider's configuration. If you are unsure, contact your registrar or DNS provider before changing the records.
5. You Cannot Edit DNS Records in Hostinger
Hostinger's DNS Zone Editor manages the active DNS zone when your domain uses Hostinger nameservers. If your domain still points to another DNS provider, make changes through that provider instead.
Also check that your domain and hosting plan are accessible under the appropriate Hostinger account.
6. Nameservers Are Correct but the Website Still Shows an Old Version
Your browser, device, or network may be using cached DNS information. Try opening the website in a private browser window or checking it from another network. You can also clear your local DNS cache if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Pointing your domain to Hostinger nameservers is a simple way to connect a domain registered elsewhere to your Hostinger hosting account. You only need to find the correct nameserver values, update them at your domain registrar, and wait for DNS propagation.
Before making the change, save your existing DNS records and check your email configuration. This is especially important if you use an external email provider or third-party services connected to your domain.
Once the new nameservers are active, you can manage your domain's DNS records through Hostinger and continue configuring your website.
Need help connecting your domain?
Follow Hostinger's official domain connection guide to retrieve the correct nameservers and complete the setup for your hosting plan.
Use the exact nameserver values displayed in your Hostinger dashboard. They can vary depending on your hosting type and domain, so do not assume that a nameserver example from another website applies to your account.
2. Do I need to transfer my domain to Hostinger to use its nameservers?
No. You can keep your domain registered with GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another provider and change its nameservers to Hostinger. A domain registration transfer is a separate process.
3. How long does it take for Hostinger nameservers to work?
Nameserver changes often become visible within a few hours. Hostinger recommends allowing up to 24 hours for DNS propagation, although timing can vary.
4. Will changing nameservers affect my website?
It can temporarily affect website availability if the new DNS zone does not contain the correct records. Prepare the website records before changing nameservers and verify that they point to the correct hosting service.
5. Will I lose my emails after changing nameservers?
Not necessarily. However, email may stop working if the new DNS zone does not contain the required MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. Save and recreate the records required by your email provider.
6. Can I use Cloudflare instead of Hostinger nameservers?
Yes. If you prefer Cloudflare to manage your DNS, you can keep your domain pointed to Cloudflare nameservers and connect your website using the DNS records supplied by Hostinger. Follow the appropriate connection instructions for your hosting type.
7. Where can I find my Hostinger nameservers?
For web and cloud hosting, check the domain connection guide in the Websites section of your Hostinger dashboard or the hosting plan details. Use the exact values displayed for your setup.
8. Can I change nameservers back to my old provider?
Yes. Log in to your domain registrar, open the nameserver settings, and enter the previous provider's nameserver values. Make sure the DNS zone at that provider is still configured correctly before switching back.
9. Why can't I manage my DNS records in Hostinger?
If your domain uses another provider's nameservers, its active DNS zone is managed there. To manage DNS through Hostinger, point the domain to Hostinger nameservers and allow the change to propagate.
10. Is changing nameservers the same as changing an A record?
No. Changing nameservers moves DNS management to another provider. Changing an A record updates where a particular hostname points while leaving DNS management with the existing provider.
Editorial note: Hostinger dashboard labels, nameserver values, DNS connection methods, and domain requirements may change. Always use the exact values displayed in your account and verify your email and website DNS records before switching nameservers.
