Why Nameservers Dont Update for a Domain
The main reasons why Nameservers dont update for a domain are because either:
- they are non-authoritative nameservers OR
- there is no DNS zone file active on the nameservers that you are updating to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why did my .CO.ZA. Domain Nameserver Not Update
The .co.za Registry, also known as ZARC (https://www.registry.net.za/) does Nameserver checking on .co.za domains when a Nameserver update is done.
During these Nameserver checks, the Registry ensures that the new Nameservers are in fact configured correctly for the domain name and are answering authoritatively for the domain name. If any of the checks should fail, to any Nameserver specified in the Nameserver update, ZARC will decline the update.
This gives the appearance that the Nameservers for the domain are reverting back to their previous values. Should this issue occur, you should check if your new Nameservers have been configured correctly by contacting your provider.
Additional Information
What are Authoritative Nameservers?
Authoritative Nameservers are servers that contain and send the official DNS records for a domain, when a DNS lookup is completed on a domain. If you are attempting to use nameservers or create your own, and the nameserver cannot retain or hold a DNS zone file for that domain, then the nameserver update will fail.
What is a DNS Zone File?
A DNS zone file, is a file that contains different DNS records for a domain. These records will globally advise on where each record is pointing to, or being managed from. For example, when a search is done on Domains.co.za, the search first has to establish the correct IP address that Domains.co.za belongs to, then only can it serve the website to the searcher’s browser.
If an attempt to update Nameservers for any domain fails – you may then need to contact the owner of that nameservers (i.e. the company or individual that provided the nameserver) to confirm if there is an active DNS zone file on that nameserver.
Should they confirm that there is, and that everything is in order on from their side, then you can send a Support Ticket, ensuring that you provide the nameservers that you are attempting to update to, and including the domain name in question, and our expert support team will assist you further.
