How to Change Nameservers in Cloudflare
How to Change Nameservers in Cloudflare (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)
If your domain uses Cloudflare Registrar, changing your nameservers is an important step when connecting your domain to a new web hosting provider. In most cases, domains using Cloudflare use Cloudflare-assigned nameservers. If your domain is registered with Cloudflare Registrar, you cannot manually change the authoritative nameservers unless you transfer the domain to another registrar. However, if you’re managing DNS through Cloudflare, you can simply update your DNS records instead.
This guide explains how nameservers work with Cloudflare and what to do when connecting your website to a new hosting provider.
How Cloudflare Nameservers Work
Unlike many domain registrars, Cloudflare automatically assigns two unique nameservers to every domain added to its network. These nameservers route your DNS traffic through Cloudflare’s global network, providing security and performance benefits.
Example:
alex.ns.cloudflare.com jane.ns.cloudflare.com
You cannot replace these nameservers while using Cloudflare’s DNS service.
Before You Begin
- Log in to your Cloudflare account.
- Ensure your domain has been added to Cloudflare.
- Have your hosting provider’s IP address or DNS records ready.
Step 1: Log in to Cloudflare
- Visit the Cloudflare Dashboard.
- Sign in to your account.
- Select the domain you want to configure.
Step 2: Open the DNS Section
- Click DNS from the left menu.
- Select Records.
Step 3: Update Your DNS Records
Instead of changing nameservers, update the DNS records to point your domain to your hosting server.
Example A Record:
Type: A Name: @ Content: 192.0.2.10 TTL: Auto
Example CNAME Record:
Type: CNAME Name: www Target: example.com TTL: Auto
Step 4: Save Your Changes
Click Save after updating each DNS record.
Your website will begin pointing to the new hosting server once the DNS changes propagate.
DNS Propagation
Cloudflare updates DNS records very quickly. Most changes become active within a few minutes, although some internet providers may cache records for a longer period.
How to Verify DNS Changes
You can verify your DNS records using:
- Cloudflare DNS Dashboard
- DNS Checker
- WHOIS Lookup
- nslookup command
- dig command
Common Issues
Website Not Loading
Verify that your A record points to the correct hosting server IP address.
SSL Errors
Ensure your SSL mode in Cloudflare matches your hosting server configuration.
Old Website Still Appearing
Clear your browser cache and allow DNS propagation to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change Cloudflare nameservers?
If your domain uses Cloudflare Registrar, the assigned Cloudflare nameservers cannot be manually changed. Instead, update your DNS records.
Do I need to change nameservers when switching hosting?
No. If you’re using Cloudflare DNS, simply update your DNS records to point to your new hosting provider.
How long do Cloudflare DNS changes take?
Most DNS updates are applied within a few minutes.
Does Cloudflare improve website performance?
Yes. Cloudflare provides CDN, DDoS protection, caching, and DNS optimization to improve website speed and security.
Conclusion
If your domain is managed by Cloudflare, you generally don’t need to change your nameservers when moving to a new hosting provider. Instead, update your DNS records to point to your new server. This keeps your domain protected by Cloudflare while allowing your website to use your new hosting account.
If you’re hosting your website with HostingTom, simply update your A record or other required DNS records using the server information provided in your welcome email. Our support team is always available to help you complete the setup.
