How to Configure A and CNAME Records in Namecheap (When You Can't Find the Option)

Struggling to find where to add DNS records in your Namecheap dashboard? This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to access the correct page and configure your records.

Meta Description: Learn how to configure A and CNAME records in Namecheap with this clear guide. Fix the common "can't find DNS settings" issue and take control of your domain's DNS.

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If you've ever needed to point your domain to a new web host or set up a subdomain, you know you need to configure DNS records. The theory is simple: add an A Record to point to an IP address, or a CNAME Record to create a subdomain alias.

But when you log into Namecheap, the reality is often frustrating. You might find yourself on a page that offers no clear way to add these records, with confusing sections like "Server," "Access," and "Apps," and prompts that say:

"You can transfer DNS back to Namecheap BasicDNS to take advantage of our free Domain Redirect..."

If this looks familiar, you're in the right place. This guide will show you how to navigate this problem and successfully configure your DNS records.

Why You Can't Find the DNS Settings

The page you're seeing is not the DNS management panel. It's a general overview page. The reason you can't see the option to "Add Record" is almost always the same:

Your domain is not using Namecheap's default nameservers.

When your domain is set to "Custom DNS," Namecheap hides the standard DNS management tools because you're meant to manage your records elsewhere (like at Cloudflare, your VPS provider, etc.). To use Namecheap's built-in, user-friendly DNS editor, you must first switch to using Namecheap BasicDNS.

How to Configure Your Nameservers for DNS Access

Before you can configure A and CNAME records, you need to ensure you're on the right system. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to Your Domain List

1. Log into your Namecheap account.
2. From the top menu, click "Account" and then select "Domain List." You can also click "Domain List" directly from your dashboard if you see it.

Step 2: Manage Your Domain

1. In your domain list, find the domain you want to configure (e.g., yourdomain.com).
2. Click the "Manage" button next to it.

Step 3: Switch to Namecheap BasicDNS

1. On the management page, find the "Nameservers" section.
2. If it's set to "Custom DNS," change it to "Namecheap BasicDNS" using the dropdown menu.
3. Click "Save" or "Confirm" to apply the change.

Note: This change can take 4-24 hours to fully propagate, but it's often much faster. Your website and email might be temporarily affected during this transition if they were using the old nameservers.

How to Setup A and CNAME Records

Once you've completed the steps above, the DNS management panel will become available. Here's how to use it.

Step 4: Access the DNS Management Panel

1. After setting your nameservers to "Namecheap BasicDNS," a new tab or menu item called "Advanced DNS" will appear. Click on it.
2. You will now see the "HOST RECORDS" section. This is where you configure all your DNS records.

How to Configure an A Record

An A record points a hostname (like www.yourdomain.com) to an IP address.

1. In the "HOST RECORDS" section, click the "ADD NEW RECORD" button.
2. Select "A Record" from the type dropdown.
3. Fill in the fields:
   • Host: Enter the subdomain. Use @ for the root domain (yourdomain.com) or www for www.yourdomain.com.
   • Value: Enter the IP address provided by your hosting company (e.g., 192.0.2.1).
   • TTL: Leave this on "Automatic."
4. Save the record by clicking the checkmark or floppy disk icon.

How to Setup a CNAME Record

A CNAME record points a hostname to another hostname. It's commonly used for subdomains like mail.yourdomain.com pointing to a service like ghs.google.com.

1. Click the "ADD NEW RECORD" button.
2. Select "CNAME Record" from the dropdown.
3. Fill in the fields:
   • Host: Enter the subdomain prefix (e.g., mail, shop, blog).
   • Value: Enter the destination hostname (e.g., ghs.google.com).
   • TTL: Leave this on "Automatic."
4. Save the record.

Troubleshooting and Final Checklist

If you're still having trouble, run through this checklist:

• ✅ Are you on the right page? You should be at: Domain List → [Your Domain] → Manage → Advanced DNS.
• ✅ Are your nameservers correct? They must be set to "Namecheap BasicDNS" to see the "HOST RECORDS" section.
• ✅ Have you waited? If you just changed nameservers, wait at least 30 minutes and refresh the page.

By following these steps, you've learned not just how to add DNS records, but how to resolve the most common configuration issue that prevents users from managing their DNS in the first place. You now have the knowledge to point your domain wherever it needs to go.