Error when changing .DE domain nameservers

Do you have a .DE domain name? Great choice! This is the most registered country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) in the world. Germany is a giant market and it's a smart move to have a .DE domain name for your online presence.

Just remember, that the technical requirements to use a .DE domain name are a bit different compared to other domain name extensions. This article will help you understand why you might encounter errors when changing nameservers and how to resolve them.

The Common Issue

Often, our customers are trying to set different nameservers for their .DE domain name, and this results in an error. We understand that can be very annoying. You configured these nameservers for your other domain names, and they worked perfectly fine there, but now you're trying to configure them for your .DE domain name, and you're getting an error.

How does a .DE nameserver change work?

This is the general process:

1. You fill in the new nameservers in your Site.eu dashboard for your .DE domain name
2. We send these nameservers + your domain name to Denic, where we do a nameserver check
3. We check and see if we get any critical error from Denic for the new nameservers you're trying to configure
4. If Denic reports no errors, then we complete the nameserver change. It will take a couple of hours for the new nameservers to propagate over the internet once the change is successful.
5. If Denic says an error has occurred, the nameservers cannot be changed. Please read on below for instructions on what to do.

We need the thumbs up from Denic to complete your .DE nameserver check.

How to check for nameserver issues

Using Denic's Nameserver Check Tool

If you're getting an error, follow these steps to diagnose the problem:

1. Go to Denic's nameserver check tool: https://nast.denic.de/
2. Enter your .DE domain name
3. Enter the new nameservers you're trying to configure
4. Click the check button to run the test

Denic will provide a detailed report on whether the nameservers are configured correctly for your domain name. If any issues are found, they will be listed in the report.

The Most Common Issue

Pre-existing Domain Configuration Requirement

The most common issue is that the .DE domain name must exist in the new nameservers BEFORE you try to change the nameservers of the .DE domain name. This is one of the main requirements from Denic and differs from many other domain extensions.

Remember: Always add your .DE domain to the new nameservers before attempting to change the nameservers in your Site.eu dashboard. This is a crucial step unique to .DE domains.

To resolve this:

1. Contact your new nameserver provider (often your web hosting company)
2. Ask them to add your .DE domain to their nameservers
3. Once they confirm it's been added, try changing the nameservers again in your Site.eu dashboard

Other Potential Issues

Common Technical Problems

Here are some other reasons why you might encounter errors:

• Incorrect nameserver format: Ensure the nameserver addresses are entered correctly without any typos
• Nameserver not responding: Ensure the new nameservers are online and responding to queries

Who is Denic?

The Official .DE Registry

Denic (Deutsches Network Information Center) is the official registry for .DE domain names. Just like Verisign is the official .COM registry and EURid is the official .EU registry, Denic is responsible for managing all .DE domains.

They set the terms, conditions, and technical requirements for .DE domains. As a registrar, we comply with these rules to offer our customers .DE domain names that can be used for their websites, businesses, and email.

Perfect for your online needs

Changing nameservers for a .DE domain can be a bit more complex than for other TLDs, but understanding these requirements will help you navigate the process more smoothly. Remember, the key is to ensure your domain is set up on the new nameservers before attempting to change them in your Site.eu account.

If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. We're here to ensure your .DE domain works perfectly for your online needs!