If I am using a custom domain, do I need to have the DNS nameservers pointing to my hosting?

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  peterdragontail · Member · Apr 14, 2020 at 3:09 pm

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  My client’s wordpress site is hosted with DreamHost. The domain name is with Name.com. I asked him to point the domain DNS to DreamHost’s servers and the frontpage works (because it’s a custom template) but then the links for the blog etc show the DreamHost hosting address, not the Name.com domain name.

  When I change the address to the Name.com domain name in the WordPress general settings, I get an error that says it has redirected to many times, which leads me to believe that pointing the Name.com DNS nameservers towards the DreamHost hosting address has created a redirect loop. Should I set the nameservers back to their defaults to fix this? I thought the DNS pointing was a required step in applying a domain name to different hosting but it seems like I am wrong.

  I know this is complicated. Basically all I want is to use a custom domain name. I pointed the Name.com nameservers to my DreamHost hosting because this is how I have done it with other sites. Do I only need to change the domain name in the General Settings?

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  gmisura · Member · Apr 14, 2020 at 8:15 pm

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  Does this apply to wordpress.com or wordpress.org?
  Seems like you’re using wordpress.org’s self hosting option, not wordpress.com’s hosting option.

  In any case:

  How long did you wait between updating the DNS and changing wordpress general settings? DNS takes a couple hours to propagate.

  Oh, I hope the change your client made with name.com wasn’t a redirect. What specifically was changed “I asked him to point the domain DNS to dreamhost’s servers”…?

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  peterdragontail · Member · Apr 15, 2020 at 4:07 pm

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  Hey thanks for responding.

  I am not using any form of WordPress hosting. The DNS nameserver change works because the landing page works. I am sure its not a redirect. The hosting is recognizing the domain change but WordPress isn’t. What I think is happening is when I change the domain in the WordPress settings it is doubling down on it for some reason.

  At this point I have tried all of the official troubleshooting stuff a couple times over.

  I am going to try setting the nameservers to default and see what happens. I just hate troubleshooting like this on a live site. Thanks again for your response and if you or anyone else has anything to add or suggest feel free!