An A record links a domain name to an IPv4 address, so visitors can find your website when they type in your domain. You set up an A record through the DNS management of your hosting package or domain registrar: you choose the type A, fill in the hostname (for example @ or www), and enter the correct IP address of your server. After saving, processing the change may take some time due to DNS propagation.
What exactly is an A record
The DNS system works like a phone book for the internet: people type in a domain name, but servers communicate via IP addresses. An A record records that link for IPv4 addresses. If you also want to support IPv6, you additionally use an AAAA record.
A domain can have multiple A records, for example one for the bare domain (@) and one for the www version. Both can point to the same or different servers, depending on your situation. You manage this together with your other DNS settings, such as the records for email.
Setting up an A record in Plesk
In Plesk, you’ll find DNS management under the DNS Settings tab within your subscription. There you’ll see an overview of all existing records and can easily add or modify new ones.
Log in to Plesk
Open the control panel of your hosting package and go to the DNS Settings tab.
Click on add record
Choose A as the record type, then choose the hostname for which you’re creating the record, for example @ for the main domain.
Enter the IP address
Enter the IPv4 address of the server where your website is running. You can find this address in your hosting account or receive it from your provider.
Save the change
Confirm the record. Plesk automatically updates the zone, but global propagation may still take some time.
Repeat for www
If needed, also create an A record for www, or use a CNAME that points to the bare domain.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is an incorrectly entered IP address, often due to a typo or the use of an outdated address after a server switch. Always check the address via your provider’s documentation or panel.
Another pitfall is forgetting the www variant, causing visitors who browse to your site with www. to get an error message. Having conflicting records coexist at the same time, for example an old and a new A record for the same hostname, also causes unpredictable behavior.
Also pay attention to the TTL value (time to live). A high TTL means changes propagate more slowly, which can be useful to lower just before a migration. This is also relevant when you switch to a new hosting provider, so the transition goes smoothly without downtime.
Checking your A record
After saving the record, you can check whether the change is active using an online DNS check tool or via the command line with a command like nslookup or dig, followed by your domain name. This shows the IP address currently linked to your domain.
Keep in mind that different locations and DNS servers may show the change at different times during the propagation period. Patience is more important here than repeatedly making changes.
If you work with multiple services on the same domain, such as a separate business email solution, also check that the associated MX records remain unchanged when you adjust the A record. These records are separate from each other but are managed within the same DNS zone. If you’re unsure about a setting, check the knowledge base for more background information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take before an A record becomes active?
This depends on the TTL value and DNS caching by providers worldwide. A change is often noticeable within a few hours, but full propagation can take longer.
Can I use multiple A records for the same domain?
Yes, this is used for load balancing across multiple servers. For a standard website with one server, one A record per hostname is sufficient.
What’s the difference between an A record and a CNAME?
An A record points directly to an IP address, while a CNAME points to another domain name that in turn has its own A record.
Do I need to do anything about my domain registration?
No, you manage the A record in the DNS zone, separately from your domain name registration. However, your domain does need to point to the correct nameservers.
What happens if I delete the A record?
Without an A record, your domain can no longer be linked to a server, and your website will be unreachable until you create a new record.
Conclusion
Setting up an A record is a matter of linking the correct IP address to the correct hostname in your DNS management, such as Plesk. Watch out for typos, duplicate records, and the TTL value, and always check after saving that the change has been applied correctly.