How to setup Dynamic DNS (DDNS) in cPanel

Use cPanel’s Dynamic DNS (DDNS) feature to map a hostname on your cPanel-hosted domain to a device on a remote network that uses a dynamic IP address (an IP that changes). This lets a router or device automatically update the DNS record whenever its public IP changes — ideal for home servers, CCTV, NAS, or remote access to office resources. cPanel & WHM Documentation

Step 1 — Access the interface

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. In the Domains section, click Dynamic DNS

Step 2 — Create a new DDNS domain

1. Click Create to open the Create Dynamic DNS Domain form.
2. In Dynamic DNS Domain, enter a unique subdomain (for example files or office) and select the parent domain you control. The full hostname will be subdomain.example.com.
3. (Optional) Click Manually Enter an IP Address and type a valid IPv4 or IPv6 address — this initializes the record and will be updated automatically later by your device.
4. (Optional) Add a Description to help identify this DDNS entry (for example: “Office File Server”).
5. If you’ll create more entries, enable Stay on this page after I click “Create”; otherwise click Create to save.
6. After creation, cPanel generates a unique webcall URL (a secure update URL) that your device or router will call to update the hostname when the IP change

Step 3 — Configure your router or device to use the webcall URL

1. Open your router or device’s web interface and find its DDNS, Dynamic DNS, or HTTPS update settings (often under WAN, Advanced, or Services).
2. Enter the full webcall URL exactly as shown in cPanel. If the device supports only username/password style DDNS providers, use the device’s ability to call arbitrary URLs (many advanced/open-source routers do).
3. If your device requires an SSL certificate, you can view and copy the DDNS domain’s SSL certificate from cPanel and paste it into the device’s certificate field (if supported). Using HTTPS is strongly recommended to keep updates secure.

Step 4 — Manage existing DDNS domains

1. In the Dynamic DNS table, select a domain’s checkbox to see actions.
2. Click Action and choose:

• • Recreate URL — generate a new webcall URL (invalidates the old one).
  • Delete — remove the DDNS domain (this does not delete its SSL certificate).

3. Review the Last Update Time and Last Run Time columns to verify the DDNS record is updating as expected.

Step 5 — SSL certificate management

• To view or copy the certificate for your DDNS hostname, click View SSL Certificate in the DDNS interface.
• Use the cPanel SSL/TLS or SSL/TLS Status tools to request or check certificates for DDNS hostnames if none are available. Using a valid certificate allows your device to update via HTTPS securely.

Step 6 — Verify the setup

1. Force an IP update from your router (many routers have a “Test” or “Update” button in DDNS settings).
2. In cPanel’s Dynamic DNS table, confirm the IP Address column changed and the Last Update Time shows the recent update.
3. From an external network, resolve the hostname (ping subdomain.example.com or use an online DNS lookup) to confirm it resolves to the router’s current public IP.

Notes & Best Practices

• Always use HTTPS for your webcall URL when possible — copying the DDNS domain’s SSL certificate into the device is recommended for secure updates.
• If your DNS is managed across a cluster, ensure your provider configured the nameservers for the domain to use the server’s DNS cluster.
• Keep the webcall URL private. If it is compromised, use Recreate URL to rotate it.

Need help?

If you have any problem setting up Dynamic DNS, reach Thamara.Cloud Support for assistance.

Updated on: 13/11/2025