The default DNS records are the typical records used to show a WordPress.com site when visiting your domain. In this guide, you will learn how to check and restore default DNS records for your WordPress.com-registered domain.
In this guide
The default DNS records for WordPress.com-hosted domains will look something like this:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | Handled by WordPress.com |
| CNAME | www | yourgroovydomain.com (replaced with your domain) |
| TXT | _domainconnect | public-api.wordpress.com/rest/v1.3/domain-connect |
If you have added DNS records for email hosting or verification, those will also be listed.
Some records are created by default, and their value fields show a “Handled by WordPress.com” message. Depending on their type (A, CNAME, or MX), these records behave differently.
The default A records ensure your domain displays your WordPress.com site. To replace the default A records, add a new A record, and the default A records will automatically be replaced.
If your domain is pointed to another host and you want to point it back to WordPress.com, you can restore the default records. You can restore these default A records by either deleting the custom A records or by following these steps:
- In your site’s dashboard, navigate to Upgrades → Domains (or Hosting → Domains if using WP-Admin).
- Select your domain.
- Click on “DNS Records” and then click the “Manage” button.
- Click the three dots at the top of the page.
- Select the “Restore default A records” option from the action menu.
The default wildcard CNAME record ensures that subdomain requests are redirected to the root domain, if a specific subdomain has not been set. This includes the www subdomain. In specific cases, such as connecting your domain to Shopify, you may be advised to delete this record. You can restore the default CNAME record by following these steps:
- In your site’s dashboard, navigate to Upgrades → Domains (or Hosting → Domains if using WP-Admin).
- Select your domain.
- Click on “DNS Records” and then click the “Manage” button.
- Click the three dots at the top of the page.
- Select the “Restore default CNAME record” option from the action menu.
If you have set up email forwarding from WordPress.com, you’ll find a default MX record. If you delete this record, it will disable email forwarding for your domain.
If you have added email to your domain (for services like Professional Email or Google Workspace), those MX records will be listed in your DNS.
If your domain is using WordPress.com’s name servers, you will see a particular DNS record called “_domainconnect”.
This record is enabled by default and lets you connect to other services (like Office365) without manually editing DNS records.
You can disable this record by clicking on the three dots next to it and selecting the “Disable” option, and vice versa.
