Introduction: Understanding DNS and Its Role in 123-reg Hosting
The Domain Name System, or DNS, is like the Internet’s phonebook. It takes the web addresses we type in, like yourwebsite.com, and turns them into the IP numbers that computers use to talk to each other. Without it, the Internet wouldn’t work the way we expect.
Managing the DNS zone properly matters more than people often realize. It ensures that your site shows up when someone types in your domain, your emails land where they should, and any tools or services linked to your domain function.
If you’re using 123-Reg—one of the big domain providers in the UK—you’ve got access to a reasonably straightforward control panel that lets you handle your DNS Zone on 123-Reg settings. Whether you’re switching to a new host, setting up email accounts, or verifying your domain for something like Google Workspace, it all comes down to adding or editing DNS records.
Each type of record—A, CNAME, MX, TXT—has its job. They help direct different kinds of traffic to the right place, and when set up right, everything just works quietly in the background.
But there’s a bit more to it than just filling in boxes. You need to understand what each record does, how long it takes changes to take effect (that’s what TTL is for), and what kind of problems you might run into if something’s entered wrong. A slight mistake can knock your website offline or make emails stop arriving.
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What is DNS: Defining Its Importance in Record Management
The Domain Name System—most people just call it DNS—quietly keeps the internet working. You don’t see it, but it’s always doing its job in the background. It works like a giant phonebook for the internet.
Instead of typing a long, confusing number into your browser, you just type a domain name like example.com, and DNS takes care of finding the correct IP address behind it—something like 203.0.113.72—so your computer knows where to go.
Because DNS is how traffic knows where to go, it’s a pretty big deal when something goes wrong. If a DNS record is broken or someone messes with the system, websites can go down, emails can bounce, and in some cases, attackers can even redirect people to fake pages.
Accessing the DNS Zone on 123-Reg: Navigating the Interface
If you want to manage your DNS settings on 123-Reg, the first step is just getting to the right spot in your account. Luckily, their interface is pretty simple once you know where to look. Whether you need to add a record, fix something, or clean up old entries, here’s how to get into the DNS zone for your domain.
Step-by-Step Process
- Log in to the 123-Reg Control Panel: Go to 123-reg.co.uk and click on Control Panel. Enter your email address and password to sign in. Make sure it’s the email you used when you registered your domain.
- Head to the Domains Section: Once you’re in, look for the Domains tab or section in the main menu. This will show a list of all the domain names linked to your account.
- Choose the Domain You Want to Work On: Scroll through the list and click on the domain name you want to manage. This will open up options specific to that domain.
- Click on “Manage DNS.” After selecting your domain, look for a Manage DNS button or link. Sometimes, it’s right on the overview page, and sometimes, it’s under a submenu. Either way, click it to access the DNS settings.
- Go to the “Advanced DNS” Tab. Once you’re in the DNS area, find the Advanced DNS tab. This is where you’ll see all the records—A, MX, CNAME, TXT, and so on. From here, you can view what’s already set up and also add, change, or delete records as needed.
How to Add DNS Records on 123-Reg: Step-by-Step Guide
There are several reasons why you might need to add DNS records—maybe you’re pointing your domain to a hosting server, setting up email, or verifying the domain with a service like Google Workspace. Whatever the case, each type of record (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) has its own role, and getting them right ensures everything works as it should.
Step-by-Step Process to Add DNS Records on 123-Reg
- Log into Your 123-Reg Control Panel: Start by heading to the 123-Reg website and logging in with your email and password—the same login you used when you registered your domain.
- Select the Domain: Once you’re in, go to the Domains section. You’ll see a list of all your domains—click on the one you want to manage.
- Access DNS Management: On the domain’s page, look for the Manage DNS option. Click it, then open the Advanced DNS tab. This is where you can see all your existing records and add new ones.
- Add a New Record: Look for the Add New Record button or link—it’s usually pretty easy to spot. Click it to start adding your new DNS entry.
- Select the Record Type: You’ll see a dropdown list with different record types. Choose the one you need, such as A, CNAME, MX, or TXT. Each one does something different, so make sure you’re picking the right one for what you’re setting up.
- Enter the Required Details: Now fill in the blanks:
- Hostname/Name: This is the subdomain you’re working with. Suppose you want the record to apply to your main domain (like example.com); just put @.
- Destination/Target/Value: This depends on the record type.
- If it’s an A record, enter the IP address.
- For CNAME, it’ll be another domain name (usually ending with a dot, like example.com).
- TXT records usually need some exact text for things like verification codes.
- TTL (Time to Live): This tells servers how long it takes to cache the record. Unless you’ve been told otherwise, it’s usually fine to leave this at the default.
- Save the Record: Once everything’s filled in, click Add or Save. That’s it—the new record is now in place. Just keep in mind that DNS changes can take a little while to go live, sometimes up to 48 hours.
Related Article: How to Manage ALIAS Records for Seamless Website Routing
How to Edit Existing DNS Records on 123-Reg: Modifying Configurations
Sometimes, you’ll need to update a DNS record—maybe you’ve moved your website to a new host with a different IP, or your mail server settings changed, or perhaps you just spotted a small mistake. Whatever the reason, making edits in 123-Reg is pretty straightforward once you know where to go.
Step-by-Step Process to Edit DNS Records:
- Log in to Your 123-Reg Control Panel.
- Click on the Domains tab or section from your dashboard. You’ll see all the domains linked to your account.
- Select the Domain to Edit.
- Once you’re on the domain settings page, click Manage DNS. Then, open the Advanced DNS tab to see all your current records.
- Find the Record You Want to Edit: Scroll through the list and locate the specific DNS record you want to update. It could be an A record, CNAME, MX, or TXT.
- Click the Edit Icon: Look for the small pencil or edit icon next to the record. Click it to open the editing view.
- Modify the Record Details: Make your changes—update the IP address, change a domain name, or fix a typo. Just make sure the information is correct before saving.
- Hit Save or Confirm (depending on what the button says) to apply your changes.
- Allow Time for Propagation. It can take a while for changes to fully go live. Sometimes, it’s quick, and other times, it might take up to 24–48 hours.
How to Delete DNS Records on 123-Reg: Removing Unnecessary Entries
Cleaning up DNS records you no longer need is just as important. Old or wrong entries can cause weird conflicts or stop things from working correctly, like email or site access. So, if something’s outdated, it’s better to clear it out.
Step-by-Step Process to Delete DNS Records:
- Log in to Your 123-Reg Control Panel
- From your dashboard, click the Domains tab to see all the domains registered with your account.
- Click on the domain that has the DNS record you want to remove.
- Click Manage DNS, then switch over to the Advanced DNS tab.
- Find the Record to Delete. Scroll down and look for the record you want to get rid of.
- There should be a little trash bin or delete icon next to the record—click it.
- Confirm Deletion. A message will pop up asking if you’re sure. Confirm it to permanently delete the record.
- Wait for Propagation. As with edits, it might take a bit of time for the deletion to reflect everywhere. It could be a few minutes or up to 48 hours, depending on DNS caching.
Conclusion: Best Practices for Efficient DNS Management on 123-Reg
Managing DNS on 123-Reg isn’t too bad once you know where everything lives. It might seem a bit techy at first, but honestly, after doing it once or twice, it starts to make sense. Just take your time with the records, double-check what you’re entering, and don’t rush things, especially if you’re not 100% sure what something does. One tiny typo can break stuff and leave you wondering why your site’s not loading or emails aren’t coming in.
Whether you’re setting up a new website, sorting out email, or cleaning up old records, the steps are all there. And if things don’t work right away, don’t panic; DNS changes always take a bit of time to go live.
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FAQs. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need to mess with DNS settings?
Only if you’re setting something up, like a new email or switching hosts, suppose everything’s working fine; it’s probably best to leave it alone unless you know what you’re doing.
How long do DNS changes take to show up?
Sometimes, it’s fast, like a few minutes. Other times, it can take hours—or even a full day or two. It just depends on how things are cached around the Internet.
What happens if I enter something wrong?
In the worst case, your site might go offline, or emails might stop working. That’s why it’s good to double-check everything before hitting save.
What does “@” mean in DNS settings?
It just means the main domain, like example.com, without any subdomains. So, if you want the record to work for the root domain, you use “@.”
Do I need to fill out the TTL field?
Usually, you can leave it as-is unless someone tells you otherwise. It’s just a setting that controls how long other servers keep your DNS info in memory.
What’s the difference between A and CNAME records?
“A” records point to an IP address, like 192.168.1.1. CNAMEs point to another domain name. Both send traffic somewhere, just in different ways.
I deleted a record by accident; what now?
If you remember the details, just re-add them as they were. If not, check any emails from your hosting or email provider—they usually have the info you need.
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