How to Use the Domains Section in Hostinger Dashboard

This guide walks you through the Hostinger dashboard’s Domains section, where you manage domain registrations, renewals, DNS records, and email settings. You’ll learn how to navigate the interface, perform common tasks like pointing a domain to a website, and avoid pitfalls. Before starting, ensure you have an active Hostinger account and at least one domain registered or transferred to Hostinger.

What You’ll Need

• A Hostinger account with access to the dashboard.
• At least one domain registered through Hostinger or transferred to it.
• If you plan to change DNS records, have the IP address or hostname of your web server ready.
• For email setup, know the mail server details from your email provider.

Step-by-Step

1. Log in to your Hostinger account. Go to hpanel.hostinger.com and sign in with your email and password.
2. Access the Domains section. From the top navigation menu, click on Domains. This opens a page listing all domains associated with your account.
3. Select a domain. Find the domain you want to manage and click on it. This opens the domain management dashboard for that specific domain.
4. Review the overview. The main page shows your domain’s status (active, expired, etc.), renewal date, and nameservers. This is a good place to check the current configuration.
5. Manage DNS records. In the left sidebar, click DNS / Nameservers. Here you can:
   • Edit the nameservers (if you’re using external DNS, change them to your provider’s nameservers).
   • Manage DNS records: click Manage next to the record type (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) to add, edit, or delete records.
6. Add a new DNS record. Click Add Record, choose the type, fill in the name (e.g., @ for root, www, or a subdomain), the value (IP address or target), and set TTL (default is fine). Save your changes.
7. Set up email forwarding (if needed). In the sidebar, click Email Forwarding. Enter the email address you want to forward from and the destination address. Click Add.
8. Renew your domain. Go to Renewal in the sidebar. You’ll see the renewal date and cost. To renew early, click Renew and follow the payment steps.
9. Transfer a domain away. If you need to move your domain to another registrar, go to Transfer Out in the sidebar. Unlock the domain, get the EPP code (sent to your email), and provide it to the new registrar. Confirm the transfer when prompted.
10. Change domain privacy. In the sidebar, click WHOIS Privacy. Toggle the privacy protection on or off. This hides your personal contact information from public WHOIS lookups.
11. Set up subdomains. In the sidebar, click Subdomains. Enter the subdomain name (e.g., blog), and it will automatically create a DNS record pointing to your main hosting. You can then add a website or redirect it.
12. Contact support if needed. If you run into issues, use the live chat widget in the bottom right corner of the dashboard to reach Hostinger support.

Common Mistakes

• Changing nameservers incorrectly. If you set nameservers to an external provider, your DNS records at Hostinger will no longer be used. Make sure you’ve added the correct records on the external provider’s side.
• Deleting essential DNS records. Removing the A record for @ or www can make your website inaccessible. Always double-check before deleting.
• Forgetting to renew. Domains can expire and be released to the public. Set auto-renewal or add reminders.
• Using wrong TTL values. Very low TTLs (e.g., 60 seconds) can cause slower response times. Default TTL (usually 3600 or 14400) is fine for most cases.
• Not waiting for DNS propagation. After changes, DNS can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate globally. Don’t panic if changes don’t appear immediately.

Tips

• Use the DNS lookup tool in the dashboard to verify your records are correct before making changes.
• Set up auto-renewal to avoid accidental domain expiry. Go to Renewal and toggle auto-renewal.
• Keep your WHOIS contact email up to date. Hostinger sends important notices (like renewal reminders) to that address.
• When adding multiple records of the same type, use distinct names (e.g., mail, ftp) to avoid conflicts.
• For websites hosted on Hostinger, the default nameservers (ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com) are usually sufficient. Only change them if you’re using a third-party CDN or email service.
• Take a screenshot of your DNS settings before making major changes, so you can revert if needed.

Troubleshooting

• Changes not taking effect. Wait at least 30 minutes for changes to propagate. Clear your browser cache or use a different device to test. Use online DNS checkers to see if the record has updated.
• Website not loading after changing nameservers. Verify that the nameservers are spelled correctly and that you’ve added all required DNS records (A record for @ and www). Check that your hosting server is active.
• Cannot add a DNS record. Ensure the record name is valid (no spaces, only letters, numbers, hyphens). If the record already exists, you need to edit it instead of adding a duplicate.
• Email forwarding not working. Check that the forwarding address is correct and that you’ve verified the destination inbox. Some providers block forwarded emails; try a different destination.
• Domain renewal failed. Check your payment method on file. If the payment failed, update it and manually renew from the Renewal section.
• Transfer out is stuck. Ensure the domain is unlocked and the EPP code is correct. Contact Hostinger support if the transfer hasn’t completed within 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I point my Hostinger domain to a different website?

In the DNS / Nameservers section, edit the A record for @ and www to the IP address of your new hosting provider. If you’re using a different nameserver, change the nameservers to your provider’s.

Can I use Hostinger’s DNS for a domain registered elsewhere?

Yes. Update the nameservers at your current registrar to ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com. Then manage your DNS records in Hostinger.

How long does DNS propagation take?

Typically 1-48 hours, though most changes propagate within a few hours. It depends on your ISP and the TTL set on the records.

What is WHOIS privacy and should I enable it?

WHOIS privacy hides your personal contact information from public WHOIS lookups. It’s recommended to prevent spam and identity theft. Enable it in the WHOIS Privacy section.

Can I have multiple domains on one Hostinger account?

Yes, you can register and manage multiple domains from the same dashboard. Each domain has its own management page.

How do I cancel a domain renewal?

Go to the Renewal section and disable auto-renewal for that domain. You can also contact support to cancel an upcoming renewal before the payment date.

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