How to Set Up DNS in Plesk

How to Set Up DNS in Plesk

Plesk includes a built-in DNS server, allowing you to manage all DNS records for domains hosted on your server. You can use it to set up custom nameservers, add subdomains, point domains to external services, and more.

Step 1: Log in to Plesk

Open your browser and go to:

https://your-server-ip:8443

Log in using your admin or domain credentials.

Step 2: Open DNS Settings

• Go to Websites & Domains

• Choose your domain

• Click DNS Settings under the domain’s toolset

Step 3: Check DNS Server Mode

At the top, Plesk will indicate whether the domain is using:

• Plesk as the primary DNS server

• External DNS (slave mode or disabled)

If you're managing DNS in Plesk, the full list of DNS records will appear.

Step 4: Add or Edit DNS Records

You can now manage your DNS zone by adding or editing these common record types:

To add a new record:

1. Click Add Record

2. Choose the type (A, MX, TXT, etc.)

3. Enter the required details

4. Click OK to save

To edit or remove a record, click the corresponding icon next to it.

Step 5: Apply Changes

After making changes, click Update to apply them.
DNS changes may take some time to propagate (usually 5–60 minutes depending on TTL settings).

Step 6: Enable/Disable DNS Service (Optional)

If you're using external DNS (e.g., Cloudflare, registrar-level DNS):

• You can click Disable DNS service for this domain

• Plesk will no longer respond to DNS queries for that domain

Optional: Set Up Custom Nameservers

To create private/custom nameservers (like ns1.yourdomain.com):

1. Add A records in Plesk:

   • ns1.yourdomain.com → your server IP

   • ns2.yourdomain.com → your server IP

2. Update NS records in Plesk or your registrar

3. Register ns1/ns2 at your domain registrar (called “glue records”)

Summary