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How to set up Cloudflare and turn its proxy on or off

This guide shows you how to connect your domain to Cloudflare, and how to switch the Cloudflare proxy on or off for a record.

How-To Guides2 min read16 steps

What is Cloudflare?

Cloudflare is a free-to-start service that sits between your visitors and your website. It can make your site faster, block bad traffic, and add extra safety. It also runs DNS for your domain. DNS is like a phone book for the internet. It turns a website name into a number that computers understand.

What is the proxy?

The proxy is Cloudflare's "middle-man" mode. When it is on, visitors talk to Cloudflare first, and Cloudflare talks to your server. Your real server address stays hidden. In the DNS list, an orange cloud means the proxy is on. A grey cloud means it is off, and only DNS is used.

Ask Hostvento support if your hosting plan has any special Cloudflare options.

Set up Cloudflare

  1. Go to the Cloudflare website and create an account, or log in.
  2. Click Add a site and enter your domain name.
  3. Choose a plan. Cloudflare offers a free one.
  4. Cloudflare scans your current DNS records. Check that the list is right. Your server's IP address is in your Hostvento welcome email.
  5. Click Continue. Cloudflare shows you two nameservers. These are the addresses that run your DNS.
  6. Log in to the Hostvento client area.
  7. Open Domains, then My Domains, and manage your domain.
  8. Find the nameserver settings and choose to use custom nameservers.
  9. Enter the two Cloudflare nameservers and click Save.
  10. Go back to Cloudflare and click Done, check nameservers.

It can take from a few minutes to a day for this to work. Cloudflare emails you when it is active.

Warning: Compare Cloudflare's DNS list with your old one before you change nameservers. A missing record, such as a mail record, can break email.

Turn the proxy off or on

  1. Log in to Cloudflare and select your domain.
  2. Click DNS, then Records.
  3. Find the A or CNAME record for your site.
  4. Click the cloud icon in the Proxy status column. Or click Edit and use the toggle.
  5. Orange cloud is on. Grey cloud is off.
  6. Click Save.

When to turn it off

  • You need to test your server directly.
  • A service, such as mail, needs the real server address. Mail records must stay grey.
  • You get redirect loop errors. Check the SSL mode in Cloudflare too.
Tip: Records that are not websites, such as MX records, can only be grey.

Quick recap

  • Add your domain in Cloudflare and check the DNS list.
  • Change your nameservers to Cloudflare's in the client area.
  • Orange cloud means the proxy is on. Grey means it is off.
  • Click the cloud in the DNS list to switch it.