How to Check Name Server of Domain: A Complete Guide Published: 29 Jun, 2023
Do you want to know how to check name server of domain? If so, you are in the right place. In this article, you will learn what name servers are, why they are important for domain names, and how to check and change them using different methods.
What are Name Servers and Why Are They Important?
Name servers are servers that translate a domain name into an IP address that computers can understand. They are part of the domain name system (DNS), which allows users to access websites by using human-readable names instead of numerical addresses.
For example, if you want to visit kinsta.com, you need to know its IP address, which is 159.89.229.118. However, it is easier to remember and type kinsta.com than 159.89.229.118, so you can use the domain name instead of the IP address. The name server of kinsta.com is responsible for telling your browser where to find the website content for that domain name.
The name server of a domain usually looks like any other domain name, such as ns-380.awsdns-47.com or ns-1076.awsdns-06.org. You can find the name server of a domain by using various tools, such as WHOIS lookup tools, system console commands, or DNS checker tools to list of dns servers.
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The name server of a domain is important because it connects your domain name with your web hosting server, where your website files are stored. Without a name server, your domain name would not be able to point to your website, and your visitors would not be able to find you online.
Name servers are important for domain names because they connect them to the web hosting servers where the website files are stored. Without name servers, your domain name would not be able to point to your website, and your visitors would not be able to find you online.
Some common scenarios where you might need to check your domain name servers are:
- Switching hosting providers and pointing your domain to a new host
- Troubleshooting DNS issues or errors
- Verifying domain ownership or registration details
- Using a third-party DNS service or CDN
How to Check Name Servers Using WHOIS Lookup Tools
One of the easiest ways to check name servers for your domain is by using a WHOIS lookup tool. A WHOIS lookup tool is an online service that provides information about who owns a domain name, such as its registration date, expiry date, contact details, and name servers.
To use a WHOIS lookup tool to check name servers for your domain, follow these steps:
1. Find your web host's name servers. You can usually find them in your hosting control panel or by contacting your hosting provider's support team.
2. Use a WHOIS lookup tool to find your current name servers. There are many WHOIS lookup tools available online, but we recommend using Hostinger's WHOIS Lookup Tool or Fudomains Whois information.
3. Type your domain name into the search box and hit the Search button.
4. Your domain details should look something like this:
5. Compare your hosting provider's name servers with the ones you found using the WHOIS lookup tool. If they show the same details, your domain is set up correctly. If not, you might need to change your name servers manually or contact your hosting provider for further assistance.
How to Check Name Servers Using System Console
Another way to check name servers for your domain is by using system console. System console is a program that allows you to execute commands on your computer or server. You can use system console to perform various tasks, such as checking network connectivity, troubleshooting errors, or finding the domain name servers information about your domain's name servers.
To use system console to check name servers for your domain, follow these steps:
1. Open system console on your computer or server. Depending on your operating system, you can use different programs to access system console, such as Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on macOS, or Shell on Linux.
2. Use a command to check name servers for your domain. There are different commands that you can use to check name servers, such as `dig` or `nslookup`. For example, if you want to use `dig` on Linux, you can type `dig +short NS yourdomain.com` and press Enter.
3. Interpret the output of the command and what information it gives you about your domain's name servers. For example, if you use `dig` on Linux, you should see something like this:
ns1.hostinger.com
ns2.hostinger.com
ns3.hostinger.com
ns4.hostinger.com
This means that your domain's name servers are ns1.hostinger.com, ns2.hostinger.com, ns3.hostinger.com, and ns4.hostinger.com.
How to Check Nameservers for Domain Command Line?
To check the nameservers of a domain from the command line, you can use different commands depending on your operating system and preference. Some of the most common commands are:
- dig - This command queries DNS servers for information. You can use it to find the nameservers of a domain by typing dig +short NS yourdomain.com and pressing Enter. You will see a list of nameservers for your domain, such as:
ns1.hostinger.com.
ns2.hostinger.com.
ns3.hostinger.com.
ns4.hostinger.com.
- host - This command performs DNS lookups and displays the results. You can use it to find the nameservers of a domain by typing host -t NS yourdomain.com and pressing Enter. You will see a list of nameservers for your domain, such as:
yourdomain.com name server ns1.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com name server ns2.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com name server ns3.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com name server ns4.hostinger.com.
- nslookup - This command queries DNS servers interactively or non-interactively. You can use it to find the nameservers of a domain by typing nslookup -type=NS yourdomain.com and pressing Enter. You will see a list of nameservers for your domain, such as:
Non-authoritative answer:
yourdomain.com nameserver = ns1.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com nameserver = ns2.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com nameserver = ns3.hostinger.com.
yourdomain.com nameserver = ns4.hostinger.com.
You can use any of these commands to check the nameservers of a domain from the command line. However, keep in mind that the results might not be up-to-date if the domain has recently changed its nameservers. It might take some time for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online tools like Fudomains DNS Lookup to verify if the nameservers have propagated globally.
How to Change Name Servers for Your Domain
Sometimes, you might need to change name servers for your domain, such as when you move to a new hosting provider or use a third-party DNS service or CDN. Changing name servers for your domain is not difficult, but it requires some steps and patience.
To change name servers for your domain, follow these steps:
1. Find your new name servers. You can get them from your new hosting provider, DNS service, or CDN provider. Make sure you have at least two name servers for your domain, preferably more.
2. Access your domain registrar's website and log in to your account. Your domain registrar is the company where you bought your domain name, such as Enom, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
3. Find the option to change name servers for your domain. Depending on your domain registrar, this option might be located in different places, such as DNS & Nameservers, Domain Settings, or Manage Domains. For example, if you use Enom as your domain registrar, you can follow this guide to change name servers for your domain.
4. Enter your new name servers and save the changes. Make sure you enter them correctly and without any typos or errors.
5. Wait for the name server changes to take effect and propagate. This process can take up to 24 hours or more, depending on various factors, such as your domain registrar, your hosting provider, and your location. You can use a DNS checker tool or system console to check if your name servers have propagated.
FAQs
What is a nameserver for a domain?
A nameserver is a server that translates a domain name into an IP address that computers can understand. It is part of the domain name system (DNS) that allows users to access websites by using human-readable names instead of numerical addresses.
How do I find my DNS server IP address?
You can find your DNS server IP address by using a system console command such as ipconfig /all on Windows or cat /etc/resolv.conf on Linux. You can also use a WHOIS lookup tool or a DNS checker tool online to find your DNS server IP address.
How do I know if my DNS is working?
You can know if your DNS is working by using a ping command or a browser to access your website using your domain name. If you get a response or see your website, then your DNS is working. If you get an error or see a different website, then your DNS might not be working.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned how to check name server of domain using different methods, such as WHOIS lookup tools and system console and command line. You have also learned how to change name servers for your domain and why it is important to do it correctly and securely.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Also, don't forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who might find it useful.
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