Observability

DNS credentials not displayed when editing HA pool DNS settings in SolarWinds Platform 2026.1

This article explains why the DNS User Name and Password fields appear blank on the Edit Pool → DNS Settings page in High Availability (HA) after pool creation and failover in SolarWinds Platform / SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted 2026.1, and clarifies how DNS credentials are stored and when they must be re-entered.

First published date

3/31/2026 8:18 PM

Last published date

3/31/2026 8:18 PM

Overview

In an HA multi-subnet pool that uses a virtual hostname and Microsoft or BIND DNS, you provide DNS credentials during the HA pool setup wizard so the platform can create and update the DNS A record for the virtual hostname.

After successful pool creation and failover validation, administrators may notice that when they reopen Settings → My Deployment → Pools → Commands → Edit Pool → DNS Settings, the User Name and Password fields are empty even though failover and DNS updates continue to work as expected.

This behavior can create the impression that DNS credentials were not saved or have been lost, even though they are still in use internally.

 

Product section

Hybrid Cloud Observability

Cause

Starting in SolarWinds Platform / SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted 2026.1, the HA DNS credential fields on the Edit Pool → DNS Settings step are intentionally not pre-populated for security reasons.

The DNS username and password you enter when creating or updating the pool are securely stored and continue to be used for DNS updates and HA failover; the UI clears the visible fields to avoid exposing stored credentials and to ensure that any DNS configuration changes require someone who knows the current DNS credentials.

Resolution

Resolution 1 – Understand the expected UI behavior

  1. When you open Edit Pool → DNS Settings for an existing HA pool in 2026.1, expect the DNS User Name and Password fields to appear blank even if valid credentials are already configured and being used for DNS updates and failover.
  2. Blank fields on this page do not indicate that DNS credentials were lost or removed; the previously saved credentials remain stored and active as long as you do not change the DNS configuration.
  3. DNS updates for the virtual hostname (for example, moving the A record to the active HA member during failover) will continue to work normally with the stored credentials.

Resolution 2 – Safely update DNS credentials or DNS settings

If you need to change the DNS account, password, or other DNS settings for the HA pool:

  1. In the SolarWinds Platform Web Console, navigate to Settings → My Deployment → Pools.
  2. Select the relevant HA pool and click Commands → Edit Pool.
  3. Proceed to the DNS Settings step.
  4. Enter the DNS User Name and Password you want the HA pool to use, along with any required DNS server and zone details for Microsoft DNS or BIND DNS, as documented in the HA pool setup guide.
  5. Click Test to validate the credentials and permissions, then complete the wizard to save the updated DNS configuration.