How to Delete DNS Records in Plesk (Linux & Windows) Make it Rain Paper

Pre-requirements

• Administrator access to the Plesk control panel (Linux or Windows).
• For command-line operations: Root or sudo access to the Linux server.
• Basic understanding of DNS records and zone management.

Introduction

Managing DNS records is a crucial part of website administration. In Plesk, you can delete DNS records either via the Plesk UI (Linux & Windows) or through the command line (Linux only). This guide provides detailed instructions on both methods, helping you efficiently manage your DNS settings.

Method 1: Deleting DNS Records via Plesk UI

This method works for both Linux and Windows Plesk environments.

Steps to Remove DNS Records via Plesk UI

1. Log into Plesk as an administrator.
2. Navigate to Domains > example.com > DNS Settings.
3. Select the DNS record you want to remove by clicking the checkbox next to it.
4. Click the Remove button to delete the selected record.
5. In the pop-up window, click Update to confirm and apply the changes.

Gotchas to Avoid

• Ensure you are removing the correct DNS record to avoid breaking your domain’s DNS functionality.
• If you delete an important record (e.g., an A or MX record), your website or email services may become inaccessible.
• Always take a backup of the DNS zone file before making changes.

Method 2: Deleting DNS Records via Command Line (Linux Only)

The command-line method is available only for Linux users. It allows for more advanced DNS zone management and can be useful for automating changes across multiple domains.

Steps to Remove DNS Records via CLI

1. Log into your Linux server with root or sudo privileges.
2. Get a list of DNS records for the domain using the following command:

plesk bin dns --info example.com

1. To delete a specific DNS record, use the appropriate syntax. Below are examples for different record types:

Example: Remove a Nameserver (NS) Record

plesk bin dns -d example.com -nameserver ns2.example.com. -ns ""

Example: Remove an A Record

plesk bin dns -d example.com -a ns2 -ip 203.0.113.2

1. Verify the deletion by running the DNS zone information command again:

plesk bin dns --info example.com

Gotchas to Avoid

• Double-check the DNS record you are deleting, especially for mission-critical services like MX (email) or A (IP address) records.
• Ensure that the DNS changes are properly propagated by checking the domain’s DNS status using a tool like dig or nslookup.
• For large-scale DNS changes, consider using the server-wide DNS template to avoid manual deletions across multiple domains.

Linux Commands for DNS Zone Management

• List all DNS records for a domain:

plesk bin dns --info example.com

• Delete a nameserver (NS) record:

plesk bin dns -d example.com -nameserver ns2.example.com. -ns ""

• Delete an A record:

plesk bin dns -d example.com -a ns2 -ip 203.0.113.2

• Check the status of DNS records after deletion:

plesk bin dns --info example.com

Whether you're using the Plesk UI or the Linux command line, deleting DNS records is a straightforward process. Just be sure to double-check the records before removing them to avoid disrupting domain services. For more advanced users, command-line management offers flexibility and the ability to automate DNS tasks efficiently.

For additional details, visit our Knowledge Base for related articles on DNS management.