Why a domain is locked or suspended, and how to fix it
Print"My domain is blocked" can describe several quite different problems. Sometimes the domain works but refuses to transfer; sometimes it stops resolving altogether because it expired, because the holder's email was never confirmed, or because the registry put it on hold. Find out which one you have before you try to fix it.
Start with the domain status
The status is part of the WHOIS record. Check international domains at lookup.icann.org and .md domains at nic.md. The values you will meet most often:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
clientTransferProhibited | Registrar lock. The domain works; only transfers are blocked |
clientHold | Put on hold by the registrar, for example for an unconfirmed email or non-payment. The website does not load |
serverHold | Put on hold by the registry that runs the extension |
redemptionPeriod | Expired; recovery is only possible with a penalty |
Fixes by cause
The domain expired
This is the most common case. Pay the renewal invoice under Invoices. If the domain is already in redemption, follow the steps in the renewal article.
The transfer is refused because of the lock
- Open Domains and select the domain.
- Find the Registrar Lock setting and turn it off.
- Once the transfer is complete, turn the lock back on at the new registrar.
The lock stops anyone from moving your domain without your consent, so leave it on the rest of the time. If the setting is not shown for your domain, contact us. For .ro domains this client-area lock does not apply, so a message saying the domain is unlocked is not a fault.
An international domain stopped after registration or a contact change
ICANN rules require the holder's email address to be confirmed within 15 days, otherwise the domain can be suspended. Look for the verification message in your inbox and spam folder and click its link. Wrong address? Fix it in the domain's contact details and ask for the message again. The domain normally resolves again a few hours after confirmation.
A .md domain was blocked, suspended or revoked
Under ANRCETI Regulation No. 42/2020, a .md domain can be blocked, suspended or revoked if it infringes trademark or other intellectual property rights, if infringing content is not removed after a complaint, or if there is an alternative dispute resolution (SAL) decision or a court ruling. The registry makes that decision, not TopHost. Open a ticket and we will tell you what we know and whom to contact.
A .ro domain with unvalidated data
RoTLD, the .ro registry, may ask the holder to validate their details. Do not put this off: without validation the domain can be suspended and later deleted.
- Sign in to the RoTLD panel. Without a password, use the reset option with the domain name; the link goes to the holder's email.
- Open the data validation section.
- Upload the documents requested for your type of holder (individual or company).
Frequently asked questions
I can no longer access the holder's email address
Confirmations and password resets only go there. Open a ticket from your client area and we will explain how the address can be changed.
Why do the contact details matter so much?
The holder must keep the domain data current, complete and accurate for the whole registration period, and some extensions also require identity document details. Outdated contacts are the most common cause of suspensions that could have been avoided.
