How to Reset Your Domain's DNS Zone

What is a DNS zone?

DNS is like a phone book for the internet. It turns a website name into a number that computers understand. A DNS zone is the page in that phone book for one domain. It holds many records. A record is one line of instructions. For example, one record says where your website lives. Another says where your email goes.

Resetting the zone removes your custom records. It then creates the standard ones again.

Before you start

1. Open your DNS zone editor. In cPanel, it is called Zone Editor.
2. Copy each record into a notepad. Note the type, name and value. Common types are A, CNAME, MX and TXT.
3. Note any records for email services, such as MX and TXT records. You will need them again.

Steps to reset

The exact screen depends on where your DNS is managed. Your name servers decide this. Name servers are the computers that answer questions about your domain. If you are not sure, ask support.

1. Log in to your client area.
2. Open the Domains menu and choose My Domains.
3. Click the domain you want to fix.
4. Look for the DNS management area. Check whether a reset or default option is shown.
5. If there is no reset button, open the zone editor and delete the wrong records one by one.
6. Add back the records you need. Typically these are an A record for your site and MX records for email.
7. If you want a full reset done for you, open a support ticket. Name the domain and say what you need.

After the reset

Changes do not show up at once. DNS keeps copies in many places. These updates can take a few hours. Sometimes they take up to a day or two.

1. Visit your website after a short wait.
2. Send a test email to the domain and from it.
3. Compare your records with your notes if something does not work.

Quick recap

• A DNS zone holds all the records for one domain.
• A reset can remove your custom records, so save them first.
• Use the zone editor or ask support to do it.
• Wait for the changes to spread, then test your site and email.