Cancelling hosting can also remove its active DNS zone
If the domain uses nameservers supplied by that Plesk hosting server, its DNS records are part of the hosting subscription. Terminating the subscription can remove that zone, so the website, email and connected services may stop even though the domain registration remains active.
Separate services
Registration, hosting, DNS and email perform different jobs
- Domain registration
- Keeps the domain registered to its holder. Cancelling hosting does not normally cancel the domain itself.
- Web hosting
- Stores website files, databases, scheduled tasks and configuration inside the Plesk subscription.
- DNS hosting
- Publishes the records that connect the domain to websites, mail systems and third-party services.
- Email hosting
- Stores mailboxes and messages when email is provided by the hosting subscription.
Find the DNS host
Check the domain's nameservers before cancelling
Nameservers such as ns.ukc01.uk through ns.ukc13.uk indicate that DNS is normally being managed with a UKC Plesk hosting service. The UKC parking pairs ns.ukc.uk / ns2.ukc.uk and ns.microlite1.com / ns2.microlite1.com use the separate UKC managed DNS platform. Other nameservers normally indicate another DNS provider.
Do not assume that an externally hosted website means DNS is external. A Plesk zone can still contain records for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, external websites, verification services and other providers.
Before cancellation
Move every required DNS record before the hosting service ends
- Save a complete copy or screenshot of the current DNS zone, including record type, host, value, priority and TTL.
- Choose the replacement DNS provider: UKC managed parking DNS, a new hosting provider or another external DNS service.
- Recreate the website records for the root domain and
www, plus any required subdomains. - Recreate mail records, including MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, autodiscover and provider-verification records where used.
- Copy CNAME, TXT and service-verification records used by shops, site builders, analytics and other connected platforms.
- Change the nameservers when necessary, allow caches to update and test the website, email and external services.
- Cancel the hosting only after the replacement DNS has been checked and is answering correctly.
Keep your data
Download anything you may need before termination
- Website files and a separate database export for every site.
- Mailboxes and locally stored messages that must be retained.
- DNS records, redirects, scheduled tasks and application configuration.
- Any certificates, reports or logs you are entitled and need to keep.
Confirm that each downloaded archive opens and contains the expected data. A backup that has not been tested should not be treated as the only copy.
Cancellation timing
Immediate and end-of-period requests have different risk
- Immediate cancellation
- The service may be terminated within the stated processing period. Complete DNS migration and backups before submitting the request.
- End of billing period
- The service normally remains available until its due date, giving time to move data and DNS. Do not leave the migration until the final day.
If hosting has ended
Contact UKC promptly and avoid replacing records from memory
Send support the domain, cancelled service, approximate cancellation time and the records or data you need. A recent backup may sometimes make recovery possible, but retention is limited and restoration cannot be guaranteed. Reactivating or ordering hosting does not by itself restore the former website, mailboxes or DNS zone.
If the domain remains registered with UKC, support can help identify the appropriate current DNS route. Restore verified records carefully; guessing old mail or website values can prolong the interruption.
You are ready to cancel when the replacement services work
The website opens from its intended host, incoming and outgoing email have been tested, important DNS records answer publicly, backups are stored away from the hosting account and the domain registration remains active.
Unsure whether your DNS depends on the hosting service?
Before cancelling, send the domain, hosting service, intended website and email providers, current nameservers and planned cancellation date. UKC can identify the current route, but you remain responsible for keeping copies of your data and confirming the replacement service works.
Ask the Hosting team