cPanel Could not determine nameserver IP addresses error

cPanel, by default, is configured in WHM to prevent adding domains that are not currently registered to a cPanel account. You will encounter an error message from cPanel accounts as follows when attempting to add a domain that is not registered:

Error Message

Could not determine the nameserver IP addresses for “example.com”. Please make sure that the domain is registered with a valid domain registrar.

Solution

You can allow cPanel accounts to add unregistered domains by enabling Allow unregistered domains under Tweak Settings in WHM.

WHM Method

1. Log in to WHM as the root user.
2. Navigate to Tweak Settings.
3. Find the Allow unregistered domains setting under the Domains section and enable it.
4. Click Save to apply the changes.

SSH / Console Method

You can also enable this setting as root through SSH or console:

Command

whmapi1 set_tweaksetting key=allowunregistereddomains value=1

Output

---
metadata:
  command: set_tweaksetting
  reason: OK
  result: 1
  version: 1

This command sets the allowunregistereddomains tweak setting to 1 (enabled).