How to update your domain’s name servers

Name servers tell the internet which hosting provider is responsible for your domain. Updating them is typically required when you move your website or email to a new host. This guide walks you through updating your domain’s name servers via the client portal.

Before you begin

Make sure you have the following information ready before making any changes:

• Your new name server addresses (e.g. ns1.yourhostingprovider.com and ns2.yourhostingprovider.com). These are provided by your new hosting provider.
• Login credentials for the client portal where your domain is registered.
• Any DNS records you may need to recreate at your new provider (such as MX records for email, or A records for subdomains).

⚠️ Updating your name servers will disconnect your domain from the existing email & hosting services. Unless you are completely moving a domain away, it’s often better to make individual DNS record changes instead: Adding & Modifying DNS Records

How to update your name servers

Step 1 — Log in to the client portal

Navigate to Jolt customer area at my.jolt.co.uk and sign in with your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, use the Forgot Password link on the login page.

Step 2 — Go to your Domains

Once logged in, click on Domains in the main navigation menu. This will take you to a list of all domain names registered under your account.

Step 3 — Select the domain you want to update

Find the domain you wish to update and click on its name (or click the corresponding Manage button, or the row). This will open the domain management page for that domain.

Step 4 — Open the Nameservers section

On the domain management page, locate and click the Nameservers tab or section. You will see the name servers currently associated with your domain.

Step 5 — Enter your new name servers

Select Use custom nameservers (if prompted to choose between default and custom). Clear the existing name server entries and type in the new name server addresses provided by your hosting provider. Most domains require at least two name servers. Enter each one in its own field.

For example:

Nameserver 1: ns1.yourhostingprovider.com
Nameserver 2: ns2.yourhostingprovider.com

Step 6 — Save your changes

Click the Change Nameservers (or Save Changes) button to submit your update. You should see a confirmation message indicating the request has been submitted successfully.

After making the change

DNS propagation typically completes within a few hours, but may take up to 48 hours in some cases. Here are a few things you can do in the meantime:

• Check propagation status using a free tool such as dnschecker.org to monitor how widely your new name servers have spread across global DNS resolvers.
• Clear your browser cache or try accessing your site in a private/incognito window to avoid seeing a cached version of the old site.
• Avoid making further DNS changes until propagation has completed, as this can cause additional delays or conflicts.

Need help?

If you experience any issues or are unsure about any step in this process, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’re here to help ensure your domain transition goes as smoothly as possible.