Your domain on its own doesn't "know" where your website lives. What connects it to your hosting server, your email, or any other service are the DNS servers — also called nameservers. Changing them is the step that gives the order: "from now on, this domain points over here".
It's a safe, reversible operation that you can do yourself. In this guide we explain what they are exactly, when you need to change them, and the step-by-step inside the Capa7 client area.
What DNS servers (nameservers) are
When someone types your domain into a browser, the internet asks "who manages the information for this domain?". The answer is the nameservers: two (or more) addresses that look like ns1.capasiete.com and ns2.capasiete.com. Those servers hold the records that say where your website is (A record), where your email goes (MX record), and so on.
Changing your domain's nameservers is, in practice, deciding which provider is in charge of your domain. That's why it's the first step when you sign up for new hosting: you tell the domain to use that host's nameservers.
Mind the difference: changing the nameservers is not the same as editing individual DNS records (an A record, a CNAME, a TXT). The nameservers decide who manages the DNS; the records are the details that provider stores. This guide covers the first: changing nameservers.
When you need to change them
You move your site to another host
The most common case. Your new provider gives you their nameservers and you set them on the domain so it starts loading from the new server.
You move to a VPS or dedicated server
If you set up your own panel or server, you point the domain to that server's nameservers (or use external DNS, depending on the case).
You use external DNS
Some services (like a CDN or a managed DNS) ask you to use their nameservers so they can handle the traffic.
You want to roll back
If something didn't work out, you put the previous nameservers back. It's fully reversible — nothing is lost when you change them.
Step by step in your client area
Have the new nameservers you'll use at hand (your hosting provider usually gives them to you; at Capa7 they tend to look like ns1.capasiete.com and ns2.capasiete.com). Then:
-
Log in to your client area
Sign in to the Capa7 client area with your email and password. It's the same portal where you see your invoices and services.
-
Open the Domains → My Domains menu
In the top bar expand Domains and go to My Domains. You'll see the list of every domain registered in your account.
-
Go to manage the domain
Click the domain you want to change (or the Manage button on that row). The management screen for that domain opens.
-
Open Nameservers
In the left sidebar find the Nameservers option and open it. There you'll see which nameservers the domain has right now.
-
Choose "use custom nameservers"
Select Use custom nameservers and type in the new ones: the first in Nameserver 1, the second in Nameserver 2, and so on with the ones you were given (usually two, sometimes four).
-
Save with Change Nameservers
Press the Change Nameservers button. Done: the change is recorded on the domain. Now the internet just needs to notice — that's propagation.
If the "custom" option is not enabled or the field looks locked, it may be because the domain has the transfer lock on (normal) or the registration is still being provisioned. Message us and we'll check it with you right away.
Propagation: why it's not instant
When you save the change, it doesn't apply everywhere at once. Internet providers cache DNS information for a while, so the change spreads little by little. This is called propagation.
How long it takes
Usually anywhere from a few hours up to 24–48 hours in the worst case. Often it's visible much sooner.What you may see meanwhile
During propagation it's normal for some devices to already load the new site and others still the old one. It's not "broken": it's transitioning.What NOT to do
Don't change the nameservers over and over thinking it'll go faster. Leave it alone and give it time — changing them again only resets the clock.
Before you change, one tip
If your email is with the current provider, make sure email is ready at the destination before changing the nameservers — that way you don't miss messages during propagation. Not sure? We'll walk the migration with you so nothing gets lost.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the nameservers delete my website or email?
It deletes nothing on the domain itself. What it does is point the domain to another provider. If that new provider doesn't have your website and email loaded yet, that's where "it doesn't show up" — which is why it's best to set everything up at the destination before changing.
Can I go back to the previous nameservers?
Yes, whenever you want. You return to the same screen, type the previous nameservers, and save. It's completely reversible.
I changed the nameservers and the site still looks the same, what's going on?
Almost always it's propagation: give it a few hours. If after 48 hours it still doesn't show, check that you typed the nameservers correctly (no spaces or typos) and message us to review it.
Where do I get the nameservers I should enter?
The provider of the service you're pointing the domain to gives them to you. If your hosting is with Capa7, we tell you which ones to use — or we set it up for you directly.
I only want to change a record (A, MX, TXT), not the provider.
Then don't touch the nameservers: edit the specific DNS record from the panel that manages your DNS. If Capa7 handles your DNS, tell us which record you need and we'll adjust it.
Capa7 Team
17 years managing hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers on our own infrastructure in Boca Raton, Florida. We write the way we'd like things explained to us: clear and no fluff.
Prefer that we do it for you?
If you don't want to risk it during a migration, we'll set it up with you step by step so not a single email is lost. Message us.
Ask on WhatsApp
