How to Manage DNS Records on Hostinger

DNS records control how your domain connects to your website, email provider, and other online services. If your domain is connected to Hostinger, you can manage these records through its DNS management tools. You can add new records, update existing entries, remove outdated records, and configure your domain for different services.

Updated: November 2026 · Beginner-friendly DNS management guide

Whether you want to point your domain to a hosting server, connect Google Workspace, verify domain ownership, or configure a subdomain, understanding DNS records will help you manage these settings safely.

1. What Are DNS Records?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It works like an address directory for the internet. It helps browsers and other services find the correct server associated with a domain name.

For example, when someone enters example.com into a browser, DNS helps identify the server where the website is hosted. Instead of remembering a numerical IP address, visitors can use an easy-to-remember domain name.

DNS records are individual instructions stored in a domain's DNS zone. Each record has a specific purpose, such as directing website traffic, handling email, or verifying domain ownership.

Why do you need to manage DNS records?

You may need to update DNS records when you:

• Connect a domain to a new hosting provider.
• Point your domain to a different server IP address.
• Connect Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 email.
• Verify your domain with Google Search Console.
• Configure a subdomain for a separate website or application.
• Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication.
• Connect third-party services and website platforms.

2. Different Types of DNS Records

Before editing DNS settings, understand the most common record types available in Hostinger's DNS management interface.

A record

An A record connects a domain name to an IPv4 address. It is commonly used to point a website to its hosting server.

For example, if your hosting provider gives you an IPv4 address, you can create an A record using the root domain as the host.

The IP address above is a placeholder. Always use the actual IP address supplied by your hosting provider.

AAAA record

An AAAA record performs a similar function to an A record, but it points a domain or hostname to an IPv6 address instead of IPv4.

CNAME record

A CNAME record makes one hostname an alias of another hostname. It is commonly used for subdomains such as www or for connecting external services.

A CNAME target should be a hostname, not an IP address. Also, a CNAME generally cannot coexist with other record types at the same hostname.

MX record

An MX record tells other mail servers where to deliver incoming email for your domain. If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email service, its provider will give you the required MX values and priorities.

TXT record

TXT records store text information associated with your domain. They are frequently used for domain ownership verification and email authentication.

Common examples include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. Always copy the exact TXT value from the service that requests it.

SRV and CAA records

SRV records provide information about the location and port of specific services. CAA records control which certificate authorities are allowed to issue SSL certificates for your domain.

3. How to Access DNS Management in Hostinger

Hostinger provides DNS management through its dashboard. The navigation path can depend on whether you have a hosting plan or only a domain registered with Hostinger.

What if you cannot access the DNS Zone Editor?

If the DNS management section is missing or unavailable, check the following:

• Make sure you selected the correct domain.
• Check whether the domain and hosting plan are under the same Hostinger account.
• Confirm that your domain is connected to the hosting service.
• Check which nameservers are currently active.
• If the domain uses another provider's nameservers, manage its active DNS records through that provider.

4. How to Add DNS Records on Hostinger

Adding a DNS record allows you to connect your domain to a new service or configure an existing service. Before adding a record, obtain the exact values from the hosting provider, email service, or platform you want to connect.

5. How to Edit Existing DNS Records

If a DNS record contains an incorrect IP address, hostname, or text value, you can edit it instead of creating a duplicate record.

1. Open Hostinger's DNS management page.
2. Select your domain.
3. Find the record you want to change. Use the search field if available.
4. Click the Edit option next to the record.
5. Update the required fields, such as the target, content, or TTL.
6. Review the updated information.
7. Click Update to save the changes.

For example, if your website has moved to a new hosting server, you may need to update its A record with the new IPv4 address supplied by your hosting provider.

6. How to Delete DNS Records

You can delete DNS records that are no longer required. This may be useful when removing an old verification record, disconnecting a service, or cleaning up outdated entries.

1. Open the DNS records page in Hostinger.
2. Find the record you want to remove.
3. Click the delete or trash icon beside it.
4. Review the record details before confirming.
5. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

Hostinger also provides bulk deletion in supported DNS management interfaces. You can select multiple records and use the Delete selected option.

7. Common DNS Record Examples

Here are some common situations where you may need to create or update DNS records in Hostinger.

Example 1: Point your domain to a hosting IP address

If your hosting provider gives you an IPv4 address, you can use an A record to point the root domain to that server.

For a www hostname, you may also need a separate record depending on your hosting provider's instructions.

Example 2: Connect a www subdomain

A CNAME record can make www an alias of your root domain or another hostname, depending on the service configuration.

Do not use this example as a universal target. Follow the exact DNS instructions provided by your hosting service.

Example 3: Connect an external email provider

If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email provider, you may need to add MX records to your domain.

The provider will supply the mail server addresses and priority values. Add each required MX record exactly as instructed.

You may also need TXT records for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification. These values are specific to your email configuration.

Example 4: Verify domain ownership

Some services ask you to prove domain ownership by adding a TXT record.

After adding the record, return to the service that requested verification and complete its verification process.

Example 5: Create a subdomain

Suppose you want to create blog.example.com. You may use an A or CNAME record depending on where the subdomain will point.

For an A record, the host name would generally be blog, and the target would be the IPv4 address of the destination server.

For a CNAME record, the host would be blog, and the target would be the hostname supplied by the service.

8. How Long Do DNS Changes Take?

After adding, editing, or deleting a DNS record, the change may not appear immediately everywhere. This delay is called DNS propagation.

DNS resolvers around the world may temporarily use cached information. Hostinger recommends allowing up to 24 hours for DNS changes to propagate fully, although the actual time can vary.

What is TTL?

TTL stands for Time to Live. It determines how long DNS resolvers can cache a DNS record before checking for updated information.

For example, a TTL of 14400 seconds represents four hours. If no special TTL is required by your service provider, Hostinger's default value of 14400 seconds can generally be used where available.

How to check DNS propagation

1. Open What's My DNS.
2. Enter your domain name.
3. Select the appropriate record type, such as A, MX, CNAME, or TXT.
4. Run the lookup.
5. Compare the returned values with the records you configured in Hostinger.

If different locations show different results, the DNS change may still be propagating.

9. How to Back Up and Restore DNS Records

Backing up your DNS zone is useful before making major changes, migrating your website, or replacing several records at once.

Export DNS records from Hostinger

1. Log in to your Hostinger account.
2. Open Domains and select your domain.
3. Go to DNS / Nameservers or the DNS management page.
4. Look for the Export option.
5. Download the DNS zone file in the supported BIND format.
6. Keep the exported file somewhere safe.

The exported file provides a backup of your DNS records that you can use for reference or supported bulk imports.

Import DNS records into Hostinger

1. Open your domain's DNS management page.
2. Select the Import option.
3. Upload the supported BIND zone file.
4. Choose whether to append or replace existing records.
5. Review the import settings.
6. Confirm the import.

Append adds imported records alongside the existing records. Replace overwrites the current DNS zone with the imported records.

Restore DNS records using DNS history

Hostinger provides a DNS history feature for supported domains. It can help you restore a previous DNS zone configuration.

1. Open the domain's DNS / Nameservers section.
2. Select the DNS history tab.
3. Find the previous version you want to restore.
4. Review the saved DNS snapshot.
5. Select Restore and confirm the action.
6. Wait for the restored DNS records to propagate.

Before restoring a previous version, confirm that its records are still correct for your current website and email services.

10. Common DNS Problems and How to Fix Them

1. DNS Changes Are Not Working

If your updated DNS record is not working, check whether the change has propagated.

• Verify that the record values are correct.
• Check the domain's active nameservers.
• Confirm that you edited the active DNS zone.
• Check the record using an online DNS lookup tool.
• Allow sufficient time for propagation.

2. DNS Zone Editor Is Missing

The DNS editor may be unavailable if the domain is not connected to the relevant Hostinger account or if the domain uses another provider's nameservers.

Check the domain connection and account ownership. If external nameservers are active, manage the live DNS zone through that DNS provider.

3. Website Is Not Loading After Updating an A Record

This can happen when the A record points to an incorrect IP address or the domain has not finished propagating.

• Check the IP address supplied by your hosting provider.
• Confirm that the root domain uses the correct host value.
• Check whether the www hostname has the required record.
• Verify that the domain is connected to the correct hosting plan.

4. Email Is Not Working After Changing MX Records

Incorrect MX records can prevent incoming email from reaching your mailbox.

• Check the MX hostnames provided by your email provider.
• Verify the priority values.
• Check that old and conflicting MX records have been removed only when appropriate.
• Verify the email provider's required SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.

5. CNAME Record Cannot Be Added

A CNAME record generally cannot be added at a hostname that already has conflicting DNS records. Check whether another A, AAAA, TXT, or other record is using the same hostname.

Also make sure the CNAME target is a hostname rather than an IP address.

6. TXT Record Verification Is Failing

If a service cannot verify your domain, check the TXT record's host and value.

• Copy the complete verification string.
• Use the correct host or name field.
• Avoid adding unnecessary quotation marks or spaces.
• Check whether the service expects the root domain or a specific subdomain.
• Wait for DNS propagation before trying again.

7. DNS Records Are Being Managed by Another Provider

If your domain points to external nameservers, the active DNS zone is managed by that provider. Changes made in Hostinger may not affect live DNS until the domain uses Hostinger nameservers again.

Check your nameserver configuration before making changes so that you edit the correct DNS zone.

Final Thoughts

Managing DNS records on Hostinger allows you to control how your domain connects to websites, email services, and external applications. The DNS management tools make it possible to add, edit, delete, import, export, and restore records from your Hostinger account.

Before making changes, understand the purpose of each record type and obtain the correct values from the service you want to connect. Always save a backup of your DNS zone before making major changes, especially when working with email records or replacing an entire DNS configuration.

With the correct DNS settings, you can manage your domain more confidently and troubleshoot common website and email connection problems.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

Editorial note: Hostinger dashboard layouts, DNS management options, supported record types, and available features may change. Always verify DNS values with the relevant hosting, email, or third-party service before updating your domain.