# Reset a DNS zone to its defaults
Source: https://docs.webgee.com/en/domains-dns/how-do-i-reset-the-dns-zone-to-the-default-for-a-domain









Restore a domain's DNS zone to the defaults cPanel would create for a new
domain. Applies to shared and reseller hosting.

Useful when a migration or a manual edit has left the zone in a state that is
easier to rebuild than to unpick.

<Callout type="error">
  This **deletes every custom record** in the zone. SPF, DKIM and DMARC records,
  domain verification records, subdomains pointing elsewhere, and any MX records
  for external mail are all removed and replaced with cPanel's defaults.

  Write down what you need to recreate **before** you do this.
</Callout>

## Record what you have first [#record-what-you-have-first]

```bash
dig +short ANY example.com
dig +short TXT example.com
dig +short MX example.com
```

Or copy the record list from the Zone Editor. Pay particular attention to:

* **MX records**, if mail is handled anywhere but here — resetting them stops
  mail delivery immediately
* **TXT records** for SPF, DKIM, DMARC and any service verification
* **CNAME records** pointing at external services

## Reset it [#reset-it]

1. In cPanel, open **Zone Editor** under **Domains**.

   <img alt="The Zone Editor in cPanel" src="__img0" />

2. Select **Manage** beside the domain.

   <img alt="Selecting Manage for a domain" src="__img1" />

3. Select **Actions**, then **Reset DNS Zone**.

   <img alt="The Reset DNS Zone action" src="__img2" />

4. Confirm.

## Afterwards [#afterwards]

The zone now contains cPanel's defaults: `A` records for the domain and `www`,
local `MX`, and a basic `SPF`.

Recreate what you noted down. In particular:

* **External mail** — re-add the MX records and update SPF. See
  [Use Google Workspace for your email](/en/email/how-to-configure-email-routing-and-mx-records-for-google-mail).
* **Mail authentication** — SPF and DMARC. See
  [SPF records](/en/email/what-are-the-correct-spf-records-when-using-webgee-hosting)
  and [Publish a DMARC record](/en/email/publishing-dmarc-records-on-your-cpanel-domain).
* **Verification records** for Google, Microsoft or similar.

## If the domain uses external nameservers [#if-the-domain-uses-external-nameservers]

Resetting the zone here does nothing visible. A domain delegated to Cloudflare or
a registrar's DNS ignores this zone entirely — make the changes there instead.
Check first with
[Check which nameservers a domain uses](/en/domains-dns/how-do-i-check-what-nameservers-my-domain-is-using).

## Related [#related]

* [Check which nameservers a domain uses](/en/domains-dns/how-do-i-check-what-nameservers-my-domain-is-using)
* [Direct a domain to an external web service](/en/domains-dns/how-to-direct-a-domain-to-an-external-web-service)