---
title: Why subdomain records start as DNS only
description: "When you point a subdomain to external hosting, the record needs to be set to **DNS only** (grey cloud) at first. **Why this happens.** With **DNS only**,…"
url: "https://homerunner.io/docs/why-must-a-subdomain-record-be-set-to-dns-only-initially-when-pointing-to-extern/"
updated: "2026-10-26"
category: Setup and plugins
---

# Why subdomain records start as DNS only

When you point a subdomain to external hosting, the record needs to be set to **DNS only** (grey cloud) at first.

**Why this happens.** With **DNS only**, SSL certificate validation can reach the hosting server directly.

**What you can do.** After your hosting provider issues the SSL certificate, you can switch the record to **Proxied** (orange cloud) if you want Cloudflare's proxy in front of it.

Still stuck? [Contact the HomeRunner team](https://homerunner.io/contact/) with your site address and what you tried, and we take it from there.