How to Manage DNS Records in Plesk?

A domain name is a human-readable internet address for a website that may be used to access the website. The DNS, or Domain Name System, is responsible for converting human-readable names into machine-readable ones. If your website’s DNS settings are incorrect, it could interfere with your services’ ability to function. For instance, mail may stop reaching your mail server or your domain may become unavailable.

For your domains, Plesk can function as either the primary (master) or secondary (slave) name server. DNS settings are automatically configured, although they can be modified using the interface. It is possible to disable DNS service in Plesk if your domains are hosted by third-party name servers.

Steps to Add and Modify DNS Records

Note: This section is basically made for advanced users. If the DNS settings configuration is done incorrectly, it can have a negative effect on your website and mail accessibility.

1. Plesk automatically creates a DNS zone for each new domain name in accordance with the settings configured by your service provider. With automatic configuration, the domain names should work fine. But, if you use Plesk NS server want to customize modifications in the domain name zone, you can perform those via your control panel.

2. You can see the resource records in a DNS zone of a domain by going to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings.

3. Go to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings > Add Record for adding a resource record to the zone.

4. The properties of a resource record can be modified by going to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings and click on the record.

5. Along with the resource records mentioned above, there is also a Start of Authority record. It indicates that this DNS name server is responsible for the DNS zone of a domain. It also comprises of settings that affect transmission of information about the DNS zone in the Domain Name System.

Using External NS Servers

In case you host websites on your account without using Plesk as your primary (master) NS server, you can check the following options:

• You can use Plesk name server as a secondary (slave) name server. If you have a standalone name server acting as a primary (master) name server for your websites., this option is best for you.
• You can also disable DNS for your domain in Plesk. If you have external primary and secondary name servers that are authoritative for your websites, this option is the best to use.

1. You can switch the Plesk DNS server to a secondary name server by simply navigating to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings and clicking on Master/Slave.

2. The Plesk DNS server can be reverted to the primary name server by navigating to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings and click Master/Slave.

3. In order to switch off Plesk’s DNS service for a site served by external name servers, hover to to Websites & Domains > DNS Settings and click Disable.

These are the steps to manage your DNS record in Plesk.