Change Nameservers with Other Registrars

You can change nameservers with other registrars and have your website hosted by Bluehost. The update can typically be completed through your registrar's domain management settings or with assistance from their support team. Once your nameservers are updated and the changes have propagated across the internet, your website and other domain services will begin using the DNS settings provided by Bluehost.

Are you looking to transfer your domain to Bluehost? Bluehost offers domain name transfer services, allowing you to move your domain registration from another registrar to Bluehost. To learn more about the transfer process and current requirements, please see How To Transfer a Domain Name To Us for more details on transferring the domain name.

Note

If you wish to change the nameservers of a domain that is registered with us, you can refer to the article How to Change Your Name Servers for step-by-step instructions.

Tip

Domain transfers may be subject to applicable fees. Visit the Bluehost website for current transfer pricing and eligibility requirements.

What Happens When You Change Nameservers with Other Registrars?

When you change nameservers with other registrars to point to Bluehost, you essentially tell the domain to use a different set of DNS (Domain Name System) servers to handle DNS queries. Once the new nameservers have been set up and propagated, any requests for the domain will be directed to the new nameservers rather than the old ones. Changing nameservers changes which DNS records are used for your domain. As a result, your website, email, and other DNS-dependent services may begin pointing to different servers based on the configuration of the new nameservers. If the DNS records are not configured correctly, some services may become unavailable until the settings are updated.

How Does Changing the Nameserver with Other Registrars Affect the Website?

Changing nameservers with other registrars can affect your website in various ways. When you change your nameservers, it means that you are pointing your domain name to a different hosting provider or server. DNS updates typically propagate within 24 to 48 hours, although some networks and DNS resolvers may take longer to recognize the changes. During this period, visitors may temporarily reach either the old or new website depending on their local DNS cache.

How Does Changing Nameservers with Other Registrars Affect Email?

Changing a nameserver can affect email delivery. The nameserver contains information about the server that is responsible for handling email for a domain. Changing nameservers can redirect email to another server, which might lead to delays or failed delivery. Verify that the new nameservers support email for your domain and update client settings to avoid issues.

How to Change Nameservers with Other Registrars

Warning

Changing nameservers replaces the DNS zone currently being used by your domain. If your domain uses custom DNS records for services such as email, subdomains, newsletters, or third-party applications, those records may stop working unless they are recreated on the new DNS provider.

Before changing nameservers:

  • Record all existing DNS records, including MX, CNAME, TXT, A, and AAAA records.
  • Verify which records are required for your website, email, and other services.
  • Recreate any necessary records within the Bluehost DNS zone after the nameserver change.

If you are unsure which records are required, contact your current hosting or DNS provider before proceeding.

Here are links to specific registrars with instructions on how to change nameservers with other registrars.

Note

These are links to their sites to ensure the most accurate information on their process. If you need assistance, please get in touch with the registrar directly.

Please change your nameservers to the correct Bluehost nameservers.

Bluehost Nameservers
Nameserver IP Address
ns1.Bluehost.com 162.88.60.37
ns2.Bluehost.com 162.88.61.37

Note

Registrar interfaces and support documentation may change over time. The links below are provided for convenience and direct you to each registrar's official documentation. If you cannot locate the nameserver settings, contact your registrar for assistance.

Important

Google Domains has transitioned to Squarespace Domains. If your domain was previously managed through Google Domains, refer to Squarespace's domain management documentation for current instructions.

How Long Does It Take for Nameserver Changes to Propagate

Propagation is the interval during which DNS changes spread across the internet, allowing your site to resolve to the new hosting provider. Usually, this takes 24–48 hours, but updates are often noticeable sooner. The speed at which the changes propagate depends on various factors, such as the TTL (Time To Live) value set by your previous DNS provider, the DNS caching behavior of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and web browsers, and other factors.

Be patient during DNS propagation, as changes may take time to apply. Avoid making further updates to your site or DNS settings during this period to prevent issues and ensure a smooth transition.

Summary

When moving your website to a new web hosting provider, changing nameservers with other registrars is a critical step in the process. While it might look intimidating, the steps are easy to follow. During the propagation period, allow sufficient time for DNS updates to be recognized across different networks. Avoid making additional nameserver changes unless necessary, as repeated updates can increase complexity and make troubleshooting more difficult.

To change nameservers with other registrars, you'll need to log in to your current registrar account and locate the DNS settings. From there, you can update the information with the Bluehost nameservers. Make sure to double-check the information before saving the changes to avoid any errors.

However, you may encounter any issues or have questions about changing your nameservers. In that case, contacting your registrar's support team for assistance is always a good idea. They can provide the guidance and support needed to make the process smooth.

If you need further assistance, Bluehost Chat Support is available 24 hours a day, 7days a week while Bluehost Phone Support is available 7 days a week from 7 am-12 midnight EST. 

  • Chat Support -  While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
  • Phone Support -
    • US: 888-401-4678
    • International: +1 801-765-9400

You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.