Domain name servers store all resource records for a domain name. Most top-level domains (TLDs) require 2–12 name servers. Multiple name servers ensure that if there’s a problem with one server, other servers make sure your website still functions.
When you purchased a domain name through Google Domains, name servers:
- Were provided at no extra cost
- Didn'tneed setup or management
You can also use custom name servers from third-party providers. If you do so, before you create custom name servers on Domains, you must set up your resource records through your name server provider.
Tip: For help with name server security, learn more about DNSSEC.
Switch between custom & default name servers
When you registered your domain with Google Domains, you chose the default Google name servers or custom name servers. You can find and change your selection with these steps:
- On your computer, sign in to Google Domains.
- Click the domain name.
- At the top left, click Menu
DNS. - At the top of the page, select Default name servers or Custom name servers.
- Your current setting has “(Active)” next to it.
- Under “Name servers,” find your listed name server details.
- Click Switch to these settings.
DNS.Add custom name servers
After you set up your resource records through your name server provider, add them to your Google Domain:
- On your computer, sign in to Google Domains.
- Click your domain name.
- At the top left, click Menu DNS.
- At the top of the page, click Custom name servers.
- Your current setting has “(Active)” next to it.
- In the “Name Servers” field(s), enter a custom name server. If you can't find the field(s), at the upper right corner, click Manage Name Servers.
- Tip: Name servers typically appear like domain names. For example, ns-cloud-e1.googledomains.com.
- Repeat Step 5 for your second name server.
- For each name server after the first 2, click +Add another name server.
- Click Save.
- If you haven’t added custom name servers before, click Switch to these settings.
Tips:
- Changes to name server settings take several minutes to 48 hours to propagate across the internet. This delay is how machines handle information on the internet. For efficiency, most machines store or cache information about your website so they don’t have to find resource details every time the website is accessed.
- If you can’t set custom name servers for your .DE domain, make sure the name servers are valid and properly set up. To check if your name servers can be used, run a pre-delegation check.
- Find more info on .DE name server requirements.
