How to Fix A DNS Entry for the Domain Already Exists Step by Step Guide Print

If you encounter the error “A DNS entry for the domain already exists” while adding a domain or subdomain through cPanel or WHM, it means a DNS record for that domain is already present in the system.

This article will guide you through identifying and resolving the issue step-by-step.

 Why This Happens

This error occurs when:

• A DNS zone for the domain already exists in WHM or cPanel

• A conflicting DNS record is already created manually

• A subdomain has been added previously

• The domain was removed but the DNS zone wasn’t fully deleted

 Step-by-Step Fix

Step 1: Log in to cPanel or WHM

• If you are a reseller or admin: log in to WHM

• If you're a client: log in to cPanel via your StormHoster account

Step 2: Access DNS Zone Editor

For cPanel Users:

1. Go to Zone Editor from the main cPanel dashboard.

2. Click Manage next to the domain you're working with.

For WHM Users:

1. Go to WHM > DNS Functions > Edit DNS Zone

2. Select the domain from the list and click Edit

Step 3: Locate the Existing DNS Entry

Search for an existing DNS record (such as A, CNAME, or MX) matching the domain or subdomain you’re trying to add.

Examples:

• Trying to add subdomain.domain.com but an A record already exists

• Trying to re-add domain.com but its DNS zone still exists in WHM

Step 4: Delete or Modify the Conflicting Entry

1. If the record is not needed anymore, click Delete (in cPanel) or remove the line (in WHM).

2. If it's still needed, consider updating the record instead of adding a duplicate.

⚠️ Important: Only delete DNS records if you are sure they are not being used for email, websites, or redirects. When in doubt, open a support ticket.

Step 5: Re-attempt Adding the Domain or Record

Once the conflicting entry has been removed:

• Go back and try adding your domain/subdomain again.

• It should now proceed without errors.

 Optional: Clear Local DNS Cache

Sometimes, DNS changes may take time to reflect. You can:

• Use a tool like https://dnschecker.org to verify global DNS

• Flush local cache using:

  • Windows: ipconfig /flushdns

  • macOS/Linux: Use terminal commands to restart the DNS service

 Summary

???? Still Need Help?

If you’re unsure which record to remove, or if you're worried about breaking an existing setup, feel free to submit a support ticket. Our technical team will be happy to assist you.