Pre-requirements
- Root access to the server via SSH or WHM Terminal.
- Basic knowledge of cPanel user accounts and Dynamic DNS domains.
- Familiarity with Linux commands.
Introduction
When attempting to add an addon domain in cPanel, you might encounter the error "subdomain.domain.tld is already a dynamic DNS domain". This error occurs because the subdomain you are trying to add has already been created as a Dynamic DNS domain. To resolve this issue, you will need to remove the Dynamic DNS domain first. This guide explains the steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
Error Description
When you create an addon domain in cPanel, a subdomain is automatically created for the account's primary domain. The error happens when this subdomain has already been set up as a Dynamic DNS domain. Since cPanel prevents duplicate DNS zones for the same subdomain, the addon domain cannot be created until the Dynamic DNS domain is removed.
Steps to Resolve the Error
| Step | Description | Linux Command | Windows Command (via SSH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Access the Server via SSH or WHM Terminal | Log into the server as the root user either via SSH or using the "Terminal" interface in WHM. |
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| 2. Locate the Dynamic DNS ID | Find the Dynamic DNS ID for the cPanel user account using the following command. Replace $cpusername with the cPanel user's username. |
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| 3. Remove the Dynamic DNS Domain | Use the UAPI command to delete the Dynamic DNS domain. Replace $cpusername with the cPanel username and $ddnsid with the Dynamic DNS ID found in the previous step. |
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| 4. Verify Removal | After running the UAPI command, check the output to ensure the Dynamic DNS domain was successfully deleted. If the process was successful, you should see a confirmation message in the terminal output. | No specific command. The UAPI command will return a result indicating success. | |
| 5. Add the Addon Domain | Once the Dynamic DNS domain is deleted, return to the cPanel interface and add the addon domain without encountering the error. | No specific command. Perform this step via the cPanel interface. | |
Gotchas to Avoid
- Incorrect Username or DNS ID: Ensure you are using the correct cPanel username and Dynamic DNS ID when running the commands. An incorrect ID will result in failure to delete the Dynamic DNS domain.
- DNS Cache Propagation: If the DNS settings have recently changed, you may need to wait for DNS propagation before successfully adding the addon domain.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve the "subdomain.domain.tld is already a dynamic DNS domain" error and successfully add your addon domain in cPanel. Removing the existing Dynamic DNS domain is the key to resolving this issue. If you continue to experience issues, contact your hosting provider for further assistance.
