Use the guide below to understand what each EPP status code means and what action you need to take.
The most frequently seen EPP status codes on domain WHOIS records.
The domain is active and functioning normally. No restrictions or pending operations are in effect. This is the standard, healthy state of a domain.
The domain has no nameservers delegated. It will not resolve on the internet, meaning your website and email services will not work.
Set by the domain registrar to protect or restrict domain operations.
The registrar has locked the domain to prevent accidental or unauthorized deletion. This is a common security measure for important domains.
The registrar has suspended DNS resolution for this domain. The domain will not function on the internet even though it is registered.
The registrar has blocked renewal for this domain. This may be set during a dispute or at the domain holder's request.
The registrar has locked the domain to prevent unauthorized transfers to another registrar. This is a standard security measure applied to most newly registered or recently transferred domains.
The registrar has locked the domain to prevent changes to WHOIS contact information, nameservers, and other domain settings.
Set by the domain registry. These override client-level restrictions.
The registry has locked the domain to prevent deletion at the registry level. This cannot be overridden by the registrar.
The registry has suspended DNS resolution for this domain. This is typically applied due to legal disputes, court orders, or UDRP proceedings.
The registry has blocked domain renewal. This is typically set during legal disputes or when the domain is subject to regulatory action.
The registry has locked the domain to prevent transfers. This is commonly applied during the first 60 days after registration or a previous transfer, as per ICANN policy.
The registry has locked the domain to prevent any WHOIS data or configuration changes at the registry level.
Temporary states indicating an operation is in progress.
The domain registration request has been submitted and is being processed. The domain is not yet fully active.
The domain has been scheduled for deletion and will be released back to the public pool. Once deleted, anyone can register it.
The domain renewal request is currently being processed at the registry level.
A request to restore this domain from deletion (redemption) has been submitted to the registry and is being processed.
A transfer request has been initiated and is awaiting approval from the current registrar. ICANN allows 5 days for the transfer to be approved or denied.
Changes to the domain's WHOIS information or nameservers are being processed at the registry.
Time-limited states after registration, renewal, transfer, or deletion.
The domain was recently registered and is within the Add Grace Period (typically 5 days). If deleted during this period, the registrar receives a full refund from the registry.
The domain was recently renewed and is within the Renew Grace Period (typically 5 days). If the renewal is reversed during this period, a refund can be issued.
The domain was automatically renewed by the registry and is within the Auto-Renew Grace Period (typically 30-45 days). The renewal can still be reversed during this time.
The domain has been deleted by the registrar and is in Redemption Period (typically 30 days). It is no longer active but has not yet been released to the public.
The domain was recently transferred to a new registrar and is within the Transfer Grace Period. The domain has been extended by one year as part of the transfer.
Common questions about ICANN domain status codes and EPP lifecycle.
The "ok" status (also known as "active") means the domain is functioning normally with no restrictions or pending operations. This is the standard healthy state. If "ok" is the only status code, the domain is not locked and can be transferred, updated, or deleted freely.
Contact your domain registrar and request them to remove the transfer lock. You will typically need to verify your identity and receive an EPP authorization code (also called an Auth Code or transfer key) to proceed with the transfer.
Yes, but it is significantly more expensive than a normal renewal. During the 30-day Redemption Period, you can contact your registrar to initiate a domain restoration. Restoration fees typically range from $80 to $200 depending on the registrar and TLD.
Client codes are set by the domain registrar (the company you purchased the domain from) and can be modified by the registrar upon your request. Server codes are set by the registry (the TLD operator, e.g., Verisign for .com) and can only be changed by the registry, usually in response to legal or policy matters.
The "serverHold" status is set by the registry and suspends the domain's DNS resolution. Common causes include court orders, UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) proceedings, failure to verify WHOIS contact information, or non-compliance with registry policies. Contact your registrar for specific details.
ICANN domain status codes, also known as EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) status codes, are standardized indicators that describe the current state and restrictions applied to a domain name. These codes are set by domain registrars and registries to manage the lifecycle of a domain — from initial registration through renewal, transfer, and eventual deletion.
Every domain name in the global DNS system has one or more status codes visible in its WHOIS record. Understanding these codes is essential for domain administrators, IT professionals, and website owners because they directly affect whether a domain can be transferred, renewed, modified, or deleted.
Status codes serve two primary purposes: they inform domain holders about the current state of their domain, and they provide security mechanisms to prevent unauthorized changes. For example, the "clientTransferProhibited" code prevents someone from transferring your domain without your explicit approval. Similarly, "serverHold" indicates that a registry has suspended the domain's DNS, often due to a legal order.
There are three main categories of EPP status codes. "Client" codes are set by the domain registrar (the company you purchased the domain from), while "Server" codes are set by the registry (the organization managing the TLD). "Pending" codes indicate that an operation such as registration, transfer, or deletion is currently in progress. Additionally, grace period codes define time-limited windows after key lifecycle events where certain actions like refunds or restorations are available.
