How to Manage DNS and Mail Settings in cPanel ?

Introduction

Managing DNS and mail settings is essential for properly configuring your domain and email services with Bigcloudy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of accessing and configuring DNS records and mail settings in cPanel, the control panel provided by Bigcloudy for managing your hosting account.

Understanding DNS and Mail Settings

Accessing cPanel

Open your web browser and navigate to your cPanel login URL (typically yourdomainname.com:2083 or your IP address:2083)
Enter your cPanel username and password
Click the Login button to access your cPanel dashboard
Once logged in, you will see the cPanel interface with various options and tools

Managing DNS Settings

Access the Zone Editor
Look for ‘Zone Editor’ in the cPanel Domains section
Select the domain for which you want to manage DNS records
The Zone Editor will display all your current DNS records

Understanding DNS Record Types

Managing Mail Settings:

When managing DNS in cPanel, you’ll encounter several record types:

A Records: Maps domain names to IPv4 addresses
AAAA Records: Maps domain names to IPv6 addresses
CNAME Records: Creates an alias for another domain
MX Records: Directs email to mail servers
TXT Records: Holds text information for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication

DNS settings are critical for pointing your domain to your web hosting. Here’s how to manage them in cPanel:

Creating and Managing Email Accounts

Navigate to the ‘Email Accounts’ section in cPanel
Click on ‘Create’ to add a new email account
Enter the desired email address and password
Click ‘Create Account’ to finalize the email setup

To set up email addresses for your domain in cPanel

Configuring MX Records for Email Delivery

Common DNS and Email Issues

Email not being received: Verify that MX records are correctly configured and pointing to the right mail server

Website not loading: Check that A records are pointing to the correct IP address of your hosting account

DNS changes not taking effect: Allow 24-48 hours for DNS propagation across the internet

MX (Mail Exchange) records are essential for directing incoming emails to the correct mail server. In cPanel:

Access the Zone Editor from the Domains section
Look for existing MX records for your domain
Ensure the MX record points to your hosting provider’s mail server

Best Practices for DNS and Email Management

Keep detailed records of all your DNS and email configurations
Regularly test email delivery to ensure everything is working properly
Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to enhance email security
Contact Bigcloudy support if you need assistance with DNS or email configuration

Key Notes

TTL (Time to Live): Most DNS records have a TTL of 14400 (4 hours). If you are planning a migration, lower this value to 300 (5 minutes) a day in advance to speed up changes.
Priority in MX Records: MX records use a priority system. The lowest number (usually 0 or 10) represents the primary mail server. If you use external mail like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you must delete the default cPanel MX records.
The “Dot” Rule: When adding CNAME or MX records manually, some systems require a trailing dot (e.g., ghs.google.com.). cPanel usually adds this automatically, but always double-check.
Authentication is Key: To prevent your emails from landing in spam, always ensure DKIM and SPF (TXT records) are enabled via the “Email Deliverability” icon in cPanel.

Conclusion

Mastering the Zone Editor and Email Accounts sections in cPanel is vital for any website owner. Proper DNS management ensures your domain connects seamlessly to your hosting, while correctly configured MX and TXT records guarantee that your professional communications remain secure and reliable. By following the best practices of regular testing and implementing security protocols like SPF and DKIM, you can maintain a high sender reputation and ensure 100% uptime for both your website and your mail services.

Need Help?

If you face any issues updating your nameservers or need further assistance, our support team is always available:

Email: support@bigcloudy.com
Submit a support ticket

FAQ

How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?

DNS changes typically undergo a process called propagation, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. You can use online tools like DNSChecker.org to track the progress globally.

What happens if I delete my A record?

The A record connects your domain name to your server’s IP address. If deleted, your website will stop loading immediately, and visitors will see a “Server Not Found” error.

Can I use cPanel to manage email if my DNS is hosted elsewhere (like Cloudflare)?

Yes. You will need to copy the MX records and SPF/DKIM TXT records provided by cPanel and paste them into your external DNS provider’s dashboard.

What is the difference between a CNAME and an A record?

An A record points a domain to an IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1), whereas a CNAME record points a domain to another domain name (e.g., pointing blog.mysite.com to mysite.com).

Why are my emails going to the spam folder?

This is often caused by missing SPF or DKIM records. These TXT records “sign” your emails, proving to recipients (like Gmail or Outlook) that the email genuinely came from your server and not a physical imposter.