How to manage DNS Zone on Dreamhost

Introduction: Understanding Domain Hosting Status on DreamHost

DNS, short for Domain Name System, is the Internet’s version of a contact list. It turns simple domain names into technical IP addresses so browsers know where to go. If your DNS isn’t set up right, your site might not load, emails might bounce, or other connected stuff might stop working correctly.

Luckily, DreamHost makes it pretty easy to handle all that. DNS Zone on Dreamhost dashboard gives you access to all the main DNS records you might need—like A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and a few others.

Whether you’re pointing your domain to a new site, connecting to email services, or verifying your domain for something like Google Workspace, being able to tweak those records is a big deal.

One thing to keep in mind with DreamHost is that it supports both fully hosted domains and DNS-only ones. That just means some domains are tied to DreamHost hosting, while others use DreamHost only for the DNS part. Depending on which one you’re working with, your options might look a bit different.

Also, don’t expect changes to show up instantly. DNS changes take a bit of time to roll out—sometimes just minutes, other times a few hours. So, if something doesn’t work right away, give it a little breathing room.

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What is Domain Hosting Status on DreamHost: Key Differences Explained

When you work with domains on DreamHost, you’ll encounter two main types of hosting status. Knowing which one you’re using makes a big difference in how you manage your DNS settings and where your website and email are running from. It sounds a bit technical, but it’s pretty straightforward once you see how it works.

Fully Hosted Domains: Standard Hosting Configuration

This is the setup where everything is handled on DreamHost—your website files, your email (if you’re using it), and all your DNS records. DreamHost takes care of it all under one roof.

When your domain is marked as Fully Hosted, it means your site is stored on its servers, and DreamHost’s nameservers are in charge. You get access to manage DNS settings like A records, CNAMEs, and more directly in the DreamHost panel. Any changes you make there will affect how your website works, where emails go, and so on.

DNS Only Domains: DNS Management Without Hosting

This setup is a little different. DNS only means DreamHost is just managing the DNS records, but the actual site and services live somewhere else, like ARZ host or another hosting company. This option is helpful if, say, you like DreamHost’s DNS tools but are hosting your site with someone else. 

How Hosting Status Affects DNS Management: Impact on Domain Control

Here’s the thing: your hosting status decides who’s in charge of what.

• If your domain is Fully Hosted, everything runs through DreamHost. You make DNS changes right there, and it directly affects your site, email, and other connected stuff.
• If your domain is DNS only, DreamHost handles the records, but you need to make sure they point correctly to wherever your website or services are hosted. Otherwise, stuff won’t work as expected.

So, before changing anything, check the hosting status of your domain. That way, you’ll know what you’re managing and avoid accidentally pointing things in the wrong direction.

Accessing the DNS Zone Editor on DreamHost: Navigating the Interface

• Log in to the DreamHost panel: First, go to the DreamHost website. At the top right, click Log In, then sign in with your username and password. This will bring you to your account dashboard, where you can manage everything.
• Navigate to Manage Domains: Once you’re in, look on the left side or in the main area of the dashboard for a section called Domains. Click on Manage Domains. This will show you a list of all the domains linked to your account.
• Open the DNS tab for your domain: Find the domain you want to edit. To the right of it, you’ll see a few options—click the one that says DNS. That’ll take you to the DNS management screen, where you can see all the current records set up for that domain.

From here, you can add new records, make changes to the ones that are already there, or remove something that’s no longer needed. Whether you’re pointing your domain somewhere else, setting up email, or doing a quick fix, this is where you do it.

That’s it. These steps give you direct access to DreamHost’s DNS Zone Editor, and from there, you’re in complete control of your domain’s settings.

Adding DNS Records: Configuring New Entries

If you need to point your domain somewhere else, set up email, or verify ownership, you’ll probably need to add a custom DNS record. DreamHost makes this pretty simple once you know where to look.

Here’s how to add new DNS records like Alias or CNAME and so on:

• Head over to dreamhost.com and log in with your usual credentials.
• Once you’re in, find the section labeled Domains on the main dashboard and click on Manage Domains.
• Look through your list of domains and find the one you want to work on. Next to it, click the DNS link. This opens the DNS management area for that domain.
• Near the bottom of the page, you’ll see a section called Add a Custom DNS record. That’s where you’ll enter your new settings.
• In the Name field, type in the host or subdomain. For example, use www if you’re creating a record for www.yourdomain.com. If you’re adding a record for the root domain (just yourdomain.com), you can usually leave this field blank.
• From the dropdown, choose the type of DNS record you want to add—A, CNAME, MX, or TXT. Pick the one that fits your needs.
• Enter the Value. This part depends on the record type you chose:
  • For an A record, enter the IP address.
  • For a CNAME, put the domain it should point to.
  • For MX, you’ll enter the mail server info.
  • For TXT, add the string you got from the service you’re verifying (e.g., Google, Microsoft, etc.).
• Once everything’s filled in correctly, hit the Add Record Now! button to save it. The new record should appear in the list above.

Editing Existing DNS Records: Modifying DNS Settings

Sometimes, you just need to update a DNS record—maybe the IP address changed, or you’re switching to a new mail provider. Whatever the reason, here’s how you do it on DreamHost:

• Go to dreamhost.com and sign in like usual.
• Once you’re logged in, look for either the Manage Domains or Manage Websites section (it depends a bit on your dashboard layout). Click on it.
• Next to the domain you want to work on, click the DNS button. That opens up the DNS settings for that domain.
• Scroll down until you see the Custom Records section. Here, you’ll find all the records you’ve added before.
• Next to the record you want to update, click the little pencil icon. That opens the fields for editing.
• Update whatever you need—the name, type, value, or even TTL if needed. Just make sure everything looks right.
• Once you’re done, hit Save to apply the changes.
• Changes to DNS can take a while to fully kick in—usually 24 to 48 hours, though sometimes it’s quicker. So don’t stress if things don’t change right away.

Deleting DNS Records: Removing Unnecessary Configurations

If you’ve got a DNS record you no longer need, like an old mail server or a record pointing to an outdated IP, you can delete it. Just follow these steps:

• Same as before, go to the Dreamhost website and log in to your account.
• Find your way to the Manage Domains or Manage Websites section, depending on how your dashboard looks.
• Next to the domain you want to work on, click DNS to get to the DNS records.
• Find the record you want to remove. Everything should be listed there.
• Just like editing, click the pencil next to the record you want to delete.
• Below the record’s fields, you’ll see a Delete Record button. Click that.
• When it asks if you’re sure, click Remove to confirm.
• After you delete a record, the update still takes some time to spread out online—again, around 24 to 48 hours.

Be careful with this step. Deleting important records like A, MX, or CNAME without replacing them can break your site or prevent emails from coming through. If you’re unsure, double-check before hitting remove.

Setting Domain to DNS Only (Removing Hosting Records)

Sometimes, you don’t need complete hosting. Maybe your site’s hosted somewhere else, or you’re just using email or a landing page. In those cases, switching your domain to DNS Only mode gives you more control over DNS without tying it to DreamHost’s hosting system. Here’s how to do that step by step:

• Go to dreamhost.com, log in, and head to your dashboard.
• From the left-hand menu (or the dashboard), find and click on Manage Websites to see all your domains.
• Next to the domain you want to change, click the Manage button. That’ll take you to the settings for that specific domain.
• On the domain settings page, look for the tab that says Settings and click it.
• Scroll down until you see Non-Hosting Options. Click it to expand the section.
• A button labeled Set to DNS Only will show up. Click it.
• DreamHost will double-check if you’re sure. To confirm, click the red button that says Yes, Remove. This removes the hosting services but keeps your DNS intact.

Alternative Method: Additional Approaches to Configuration

If you’re trying to add a custom DNS record (like for @ or www) on a fully hosted domain, DreamHost might not let you right away. Instead, it’ll ask if you want to deactivate hosting. If you click Deactivate Website, DreamHost will remove hosting services and switch the domain to DNS Only mode for you. The default hosting-related DNS records will be removed, too.

When to Use DNS Only: Ideal Scenarios for Choosing This Option

This mode is handy if you want to keep your domain registered with DreamHost but want to host your actual website or email somewhere else, like ARZ Host. It lets you control all DNS records while pointing things like your site, email, or apps to outside servers, without needing to transfer the domain to a new registrar.

Conclusion

Managing DNS zones on DreamHost might feel a bit technical at first, but once you get used to where things are and what each record does, it’s pretty straightforward. Whether you are updating a record, pointing your domain somewhere new, or switching to DNS Only mode, it all comes down to knowing what you’re trying to connect and plugging in the correct info.

DreamHost gives you the tools to do it all without needing to jump through hoops. The flexibility to choose between fully hosted or DNS-only setups means you can use their DNS features even if your website or email is running somewhere else. That kind of control is excellent when you’re setting things up the way you want, not just how your provider decides.

Changes to DNS don’t happen instantly. Give it some time, double-check your entries, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments if something’s not working as expected. It’s all part of learning how your domain works behind the scenes. And the more you get the hang of it, the easier it gets.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I manage DNS if my domain is not hosted on DreamHost?

Yes, you can. As long as your domain is registered with DreamHost or using DreamHost’s nameservers, you can manage DNS even if the site itself is hosted somewhere else. Just set the domain to “DNS Only,” and you’re good to go.

How long do DNS changes take to update?

It usually propagates within a few hours, but sometimes, it can take up to 24–48 hours to fully propagate. It depends on the type of change and how fast the internet service providers update their cache.

What happens if I delete the wrong DNS record?

If you delete something important, like an A record or MX record, your site or email might stop working. The good news is that you can add it back. Just make sure you have the correct values. If you’re unsure, taking a screenshot before making changes is smart.

Can I use third-party email services like Google Workspace?

Absolutely. Just update the MX and TXT records in your DNS settings to match what your email provider gives you. Once that’s in place, DreamHost will handle the rest on the DNS side.

Do I need to change DNS if I just want to redirect my domain?

Not always. DreamHost offers a simple redirect option without needing to change DNS. But if you’re pointing it to a new host, then yes, you’ll need to update the A or CNAME records.

Will switching to DNS only delete my website?

If you switch to DNS Only, your site files won’t be deleted immediately, but your hosting will be deactivated. That means the site won’t load unless you’ve already moved it elsewhere. Always back up your site first if you’re planning to move it.

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