The short version of changing your GoDaddy nameservers is pretty simple: you grab the new nameserver addresses from your host, log in to GoDaddy, find your domain's DNS settings, and paste in the new ones.
But let's back up. Why would you even bother doing this?
Why Change Your GoDaddy Nameservers in the First Place?
Before we get into the "how-to," it's worth understanding the why. For most developers, agencies, and savvy business owners, this isn't just a technical task. It's a strategic move to get better performance, tighter security, and way more control over your website.
Sure, it's convenient to keep everything in one place, but bundling your domain registration with DNS management isn't always the best play. Specialized hosting providers almost always have superior infrastructure, which translates directly to faster load times and better reliability for your site. Moving your DNS management lets you pick the best host for your website without being locked into the GoDaddy ecosystem.
Gaining Control and Flexibility
Let's say you're a freelance developer managing 20 client sites. Trying to juggle each one inside separate, clunky GoDaddy accounts is a nightmare. By pointing all those domains' nameservers to a single, high-performance hosting dashboard, you centralize everything. Updates are faster, maintenance is simpler, and you save a ton of time.
Or maybe you're a startup that needs a multi-cloud setup to guarantee uptime for a global user base. Pointing their GoDaddy domain to a specialized DNS provider gives them the power to route traffic across different servers and regions. That's a level of control you just don't get with the default settings.
The main benefits really boil down to this:
- Improved Performance: Premium DNS services often have much faster query responses. That means your site starts loading quicker for every single visitor.
- Enhanced Security: Many dedicated DNS providers offer advanced security like DDoS mitigation and give you more granular control over your records.
- Centralized Management: You can manage the DNS for all your domains in one place, no matter where you registered them.
Changing your nameservers is really about unhitching your domain registration from your website hosting. This simple split gives you the freedom to pick the best tool for each job instead of getting stuck with a one-size-fits-all package.
Once you buy a domain, pointing it to your web host is one of the most important first steps. For a bigger picture on what to do after you've registered a name, this is a great guide on the next steps after buying a domain.
This process is also a key part of moving a website. We actually cover that whole process in our guide on how to transfer a WordPress site to a new host. Taking control of your own DNS is the first real step toward building a more powerful and flexible setup for your website.
Understanding Nameservers and DNS Propagation
Before you touch any settings, it really helps to know what's going on behind the scenes. Think of a nameserver as the internet’s phone book. When you type a domain into a browser, that browser asks the nameserver, "Where is this website?" The nameserver looks it up and gives back the correct server address, pointing the visitor to your new host.
So, when you change GoDaddy nameservers, you're essentially just swapping out one phone book for another. You’re telling the internet to stop looking at GoDaddy’s directory and start using your new hosting provider's directory to find your site. If you're curious about the mechanics, understanding what is domain name registration provides a solid foundation for how this all connects.
This is a core concept. It lets you control where your domain points without the headache of actually transferring the domain registrar. You're just updating the directions.
Why Changes Aren't Instant
Once you hit "save" on your new nameserver settings, don't expect your site to move immediately. The delay is all down to something called DNS propagation. This is the time it takes for servers all over the world to get the memo about your update.
Think of it like sending out a mass text with your new address. Not everyone sees it at the same time. Internet service providers (ISPs) and DNS servers globally have to update their own records—or "caches"—with your new info, and they all do it on their own schedules.
This is where a key term comes into play: Time to Live (TTL).
- TTL is a setting that tells servers how long they should hold onto your old DNS information before they bother checking for an update.
- A shorter TTL means servers check for changes more often, which can speed things up.
- But here's the catch: you can't force every server on the planet to respect your TTL settings. Some are just configured to check less frequently, no matter what you set.
Key Takeaway: DNS propagation is a waiting game. It's frustrating, but it's part of the process. While many people might see your new site within hours, it can take up to 48 hours for the change to be fully complete everywhere. Just plan for it.
Planning for Propagation Time
The global domain landscape is huge, with forecasts expecting over 762 million registered domains by 2026. A massive 10.0% of all websites use GoDaddy nameservers, so you're not alone in making this kind of change.
GoDaddy itself will tell you that updates can take up to 48 hours to finish, mainly because some ISPs only refresh their records every two or three days. Knowing this upfront is critical for planning your switch and minimizing any potential downtime. It stops that five-minute panic when you check your domain and still see the old site.
By understanding how this works, you can confidently make the change and monitor the transition. If you want to go deeper, we have a great piece on what a server address is and how it fits into this puzzle.
Finding Your New Host's Nameserver Details
Before you even think about logging into GoDaddy, you need the nameserver addresses from your new hosting provider. This is a non-negotiable first step. Getting this wrong is the single most common reason a domain transfer goes sideways.
It’s like getting your new mailing address before you tell the post office you're moving.
Most hosting companies make this pretty easy. Your new nameservers are almost always in the welcome email they sent when you first signed up. If you can’t find that email, your next best bet is to check the DNS management or domain section of their control panel. It's usually right there.
Locating Nameservers on Cloud Platforms
If you're using one of the big cloud infrastructure providers, finding the nameservers is even simpler because they're standardized. It’s one of the perks of using these platforms.
Here are the nameservers for the most popular providers:
- DigitalOcean:
ns1.digitalocean.com,ns2.digitalocean.com,ns3.digitalocean.com - Vultr:
ns1.vultr.com,ns2.vultr.com - Hetzner:
ns1.hetzner.de,ns2.hetzner.com,ns3.hetzner.net
Make sure you copy these values exactly. One little typo and your domain won't connect.
Once you have the nameserver details from your host, you'll start the process inside your GoDaddy domain portfolio, shown above.
A Note for WPJack Users: A common point of confusion is whose nameservers to use. Since WPJack is a control panel that manages servers on your behalf, you need to use the nameservers of the actual cloud provider you connected—like DigitalOcean or Hetzner—not WPJack's.
When to Use A Records Instead
Here's a pro tip: sometimes, you don't need to change GoDaddy nameservers at all.
If your new hosting provider only gives you an IP address, you'll need to update your domain's A record within GoDaddy's DNS settings. This approach keeps GoDaddy as your DNS manager but points your website traffic to the new server.
Our guide on how to host WordPress on AWS using Amazon Lightsail is a perfect example of when pointing an A record is the right move. Always double-check which method your host wants you to use.
Alright, you’ve got your new host’s nameserver details, so let’s get them plugged into your GoDaddy account. This part is pretty straightforward, but you need to be careful. A single typo is the number one reason this process fails, so we'll walk through every click.
The goal here isn't to make you a DNS expert, but just to get this simple update done and have you feeling confident about it.
Finding Your Way to the Domain Portfolio
First thing's first, log in to your GoDaddy account. Once you're on the main dashboard, you need to find your list of domains.
Look for a section called "My Products," or just click your name in the top right corner. In that dropdown menu, you should see an option for "My Products" or "Domain Portfolio." Either one will take you to a list of all the domains you own.
Go ahead and find the specific domain you're updating and click on it. This brings you to the individual settings page for that domain—this is where the magic happens.
Locating and Updating the Nameservers
Once you're on the domain settings page, scroll down until you see the "DNS" or "Manage DNS" section and give that a click. This will pop you over to the DNS management page where you'll see a list of your current DNS records.
At the top of this page, you should spot the "Nameservers" area.
- Click the "Change" button right next to your current nameservers. GoDaddy will probably throw up a warning about the risks of changing them. Don't sweat it—this is a standard popup.
- Now, select the option that says something like "I'll use my own nameservers" or "Enter my own nameservers (advanced)."
- You’ll see two or more blank fields appear. This is exactly where you’ll paste the nameserver addresses you got from your new host.
Crucial Tip: Always, and I mean always, copy and paste the new nameserver values. If you try to type them out by hand, you're just asking for trouble. A simple mistake like
ns1.digtalocean.cominstead ofns1.digitalocean.comwill completely break the connection to your site.
After pasting in each nameserver, give them one last look to make sure they're perfect. When you're sure, hit the "Save" or "Continue" button. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm the change, usually with a checkbox.
Before you start clicking around, it helps to have a quick checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases. I've put one together to keep things on track.
GoDaddy Nameserver Change Checklist
| Phase | Action Item | Status (Checkbox) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Got new nameservers from my hosting provider | ☐ |
| Preparation | Backed up current DNS records (just in case) | ☐ |
| Execution | Logged into my GoDaddy account | ☐ |
| Execution | Navigated to the correct domain's DNS settings | ☐ |
| Execution | Copied and pasted the new nameservers accurately | ☐ |
| Execution | Saved the changes and confirmed the update | ☐ |
| Post-Change | Checked my email for a confirmation from GoDaddy | ☐ |
| Post-Change | Used a DNS propagation checker tool | ☐ |
This simple list can save you a lot of headaches by ensuring you don’t miss a critical step before, during, or after the update.
Dealing with Domain Protection
If you're using GoDaddy's Domain Protection or Privacy features, you might hit an extra verification step. This is GoDaddy’s way of stopping anyone else from messing with your domain settings.
It usually involves them sending a verification code to your email or asking you to re-enter your account password. Just follow the prompts on the screen. It might seem like a small annoyance, but it’s a security feature you’ll be glad is there.
Honestly, this extra step is a good thing. It makes sure that you're the only one who can make a change this important to your domain.
As the world's biggest registrar, GoDaddy manages over 84 million domains, giving it a massive 11% of the global market share. For the millions of us managing client sites on WordPress—the exact people WPJack is built for—knowing how to change GoDaddy nameservers to a better host is a core skill. If you're curious about these numbers, you can find more insights on domain name statistics over at Hostinger.com.
Verifying the Change and Troubleshooting Common Problems
So, you’ve clicked "Save" on your new nameservers. You're done, right? Not quite. Now comes the part that requires a little patience: DNS propagation. It’s the process of the internet catching up with your changes, but you don’t have to just sit and wait in the dark. You can actually watch it happen.
The best tool for the job is an online DNS checker. I personally use DNSChecker.org all the time. Just pop your domain name in, and it'll show you which IP address is being reported from servers all over the world. At first, you'll see a mix of old and new addresses. Over time, they'll all flip to your new host. It's a great way to confirm everything is pointing to the right place.
The process you just completed inside your GoDaddy account is pretty straightforward, from logging in to hitting that final update button.
This just breaks down the core journey—logging in, picking your domain, and swapping out the nameserver records.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Even when you do everything by the book, sometimes things get stuck. Propagation can be annoyingly slow, sometimes taking up to 48 hours to finish updating globally. But if it's been a few hours and your site is still acting up, it’s time to do some digging.
Here are the usual suspects I run into and how to fix them:
You Still See Your Old Website: This happens all the time and is almost always a caching issue. Your own computer or browser is clinging to the old DNS info. The fix is simple: clear your browser cache. If that doesn't work, flush your computer's DNS cache to make it fetch the new records.
The GoDaddy Status is "Pending": Seeing that "Pending" status in your GoDaddy dashboard can be frustrating. It usually means GoDaddy's Domain Protection feature is holding things up. It’s a security measure that wants to verify it’s really you making the change. Check your inbox for a verification email from GoDaddy.
Your Domain Isn't Resolving at All: If your site is completely down, showing a "server not found" error, the culprit is most likely a simple typo. A single misplaced character in a nameserver address will break everything. Head back into your GoDaddy DNS settings and double-check, character-for-character, that the nameservers match what your new host gave you.
Pro Tip: If you're in a pinch and just need the site back online now, you can always hit the reset button. GoDaddy lets you switch back to their default nameservers in one click. It's a lifesaver that buys you time to figure out what went wrong with your new setup without extended downtime.
How to Revert to GoDaddy Default Nameservers
If troubleshooting isn't getting you anywhere and you need a quick escape hatch, reverting is your best bet. Just go back to the nameserver settings for your domain in the GoDaddy Domain Portfolio.
Instead of entering your own, just select the option to "Use GoDaddy Nameservers (Recommended)."
This action restores your domain's original DNS settings, pointing it right back to GoDaddy's system. The change will have to propagate again, but at least your domain will be live while you sort out the issues with your new host. Think of it as an emergency stop button that gives you breathing room.
Got Questions About GoDaddy Nameservers?
Even with a walkthrough, it's normal to have a few lingering questions. Pointing your domain somewhere new is a big deal, and you want to make sure you get it right. I've rounded up some of the most common questions I hear to help you feel confident before you hit that save button.
How Long Does It Really Take to Change GoDaddy Nameservers?
Getting the nameservers updated in your GoDaddy account is the easy part—that takes maybe five minutes. The real waiting game is what's called DNS propagation.
While you'll often see your site come online at the new host within a few hours, you should always plan for a window of up to 48 hours. That’s how long it can take for the change to be recognized by every internet service provider across the globe. Just be patient and let the internet do its thing.
Will Changing My Nameservers Break My Email?
Yes, it absolutely can, and this is a critical one to get right. If your email is hosted with GoDaddy (like through a Microsoft 365 or basic email plan), switching your nameservers effectively hands over control of your DNS records to your new host. This means your email records, known as MX records, will stop working from GoDaddy's end.
To keep your emails flowing without interruption, you need to copy your existing MX records from GoDaddy before you make the switch. Once your nameservers are updated, you'll add those same records into the DNS editor at your new hosting provider. Most hosts have a simple interface for this.
Can I Change Nameservers Without Transferring My Domain?
Definitely. This is a super common point of confusion, but they are two completely separate actions.
- Changing Nameservers: This is just like giving the post office a change of address for your website. You're telling the internet where to find your site's files. GoDaddy still manages your domain registration, and you'll keep paying them for your yearly renewal.
- Transferring a Domain: This is the equivalent of moving your domain's ownership to a new company. The entire registration is moved from GoDaddy to a different registrar.
For most people just launching a site with a new host, all you need to do is change the nameservers.
Key Insight: Keeping your domain registrar separate from your web host is a smart move. It gives you the flexibility to switch hosting providers whenever you find a better deal or better performance, without the headache of transferring your domain every single time.
What Happens If I Enter the Wrong Nameservers?
Making a typo here is the number one cause of a website going offline after an update. If you enter the wrong nameserver addresses, your domain simply won't know how to connect to your new hosting server. Anyone trying to visit your site will just see an error page.
The good news is that it's an easy fix. All you have to do is log back into your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio, go back to the DNS settings, and carefully re-enter the correct nameservers your host gave you.
Managing WordPress on your own cloud servers shouldn't feel like you need a degree in system administration. With WPJack, you can spin up, manage, and secure WordPress sites on DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, and Hetzner with just a few clicks. You get automated backups, free SSL certificates, and a single dashboard to monitor everything. Give it a try for free at https://wpjack.com.
Free Tier includes 1 server and 2 sites.