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How to Remove a Domain from Cloudflare

Cloudflare is a popular content delivery network (CDN) and web application firewall that helps improve website performance, security, and reliability. However, there may come a time when you need to remove your domain from Cloudflare, such as if you are switching CDN providers or no longer need Cloudflare’s services. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly remove a domain from Cloudflare.

Before Removing Your Domain

Before removing your domain from Cloudflare, there are a few preparatory steps you should take:

  • Disable DNSSEC (if enabled): In your Cloudflare dashboard, go to DNS > Settings and disable DNSSEC under the DNSSEC section. This prevents issues later when changing nameservers.
  • Download invoices or domain information: If needed, navigate to Account Home > Billing > Invoice History and download copies of past invoices for your records.
  • Change automatic renewal settings: If your domain uses Cloudflare Registrar, consider disabling automatic renewals or transferring the domain away from Cloudflare Registrar, depending on your needs.
  • Export DNS records: Export your existing DNS records from Cloudflare to make reconfiguring your DNS simpler.

Removing a Domain from Cloudflare

Once you have completed the preparatory steps above, you can now remove the domain from your Cloudflare account:

  1. Log in to the Cloudflare dashboard and select your account and domain.
  2. On the Overview page, scroll down and click on Remove Site under the Advanced Actions section.
  3. Confirm that you want to remove the site from Cloudflare.

After removing the domain, Cloudflare will no longer proxy or manage traffic for that domain. However, it will still handle DNS resolution.

Updating Nameservers

Since Cloudflare still controls your domain’s DNS after removing the domain from your account, you need to update your domain’s nameservers to complete the removal process:

  • Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
  • Change the nameservers for your domain to non-Cloudflare nameservers, such as your web host’s nameservers or another DNS provider.
  • This stops Cloudflare from handling DNS traffic and fully removes Cloudflare functionality.

It can take up to 48 hours for nameserver changes to fully propagate across the internet. You can use a tool like WhatsMyDNS to check propagation status.

Other Helpful Tips

Here are some other things to keep in mind when removing a domain from Cloudflare:

  • Temporarily pause service: If you are unsure about completely removing your site from Cloudflare, you can temporarily “Pause” it from the Cloudflare dashboard. This disables Cloudflare while keeping your settings intact in case you want to resume service later.
  • Re-add the domain: If you change your mind after removal and want Cloudflare services again, simply re-add your domain like normal as if it was a new domain. Your previous settings are not saved when removing a domain.
  • Troubleshoot issues: If your site has problems after removing from Cloudflare, double check that your domain’s nameservers are properly changed at your registrar and given time to fully propagate.

Removing a domain from Cloudflare is straightforward, but can disrupt your website if the removal steps are not completed properly. Carefully follow the instructions above and allow sufficient time for changes to propagate across the worldwide DNS system to avoid issues accessing your site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I temporarily pause Cloudflare instead of completely removing a domain?

A: Yes, Cloudflare has a “Pause” option that disables their proxy and CDN functionality but keeps DNS pointing to Cloudflare. This lets you easily resume service later if needed.

Q: What happens to my SSL certificate if I remove my site from Cloudflare?

A: Your SSL certificate will no longer be valid since it is issued by Cloudflare instead of an independent certificate authority. You will need to purchase and install a new SSL certificate from another provider.

Q: Do I need to change nameservers if Cloudflare is not my domain registrar?

A: Yes, even if Cloudflare is not your registrar, their nameservers are still handling DNS traffic. You need to change to new nameservers at your registrar to fully remove Cloudflare.

Q: What is the Cloudflare “Moved Away” status after I remove my domain?

A: This is an intermediate status that lasts for 7 days before Cloudflare permanently deletes all domain records. Your domain will not function during this period.

Q: What happens if I don’t correctly change my domain’s nameservers after removing it?

A: The domain will still route traffic through Cloudflare’s network and servers, meaning removal was incomplete. This often causes site errors or accessibility problems.

I hope this guide gives you a better understanding of properly removing domains from Cloudflare. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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