Domain Status Codes Explained: Complete Guide to Domain Status Meaning

Understanding the domain status meaning is crucial for anyone managing a domain name.

When you perform a WHOIS lookup on your domain, you'll encounter various domain status codes that indicate the current state and restrictions of your domain.

These status codes can determine whether your domain is active and functional, locked for security, on hold due to issues, or in the process of expiration or transfer.

Whether you're troubleshooting website issues, preparing for a domain transfer, or simply monitoring your domain's health, understanding how to interpret these domain status codes will help you take the right action and prevent potential disruptions to your online presence.

What Are Domain Status Codes?

Domain status codes are standardized indicators that reveal the current status of a domain name within the domain registration system. ICANN describes them as EPP status codes, and notes that a domain can show more than one status at the same time.

When you check the registration details of a domain, the registry and registrar use these specific status codes to communicate important information about your domain's operational state, security settings, and any restrictions that may be in place.

Each domain status code serves as a signal that tells you whether your domain can be used for hosting a website, receiving email, or undergoing changes like transfers or renewals.

These codes are set by either your registrar or the central registry and follow established protocols to ensure consistent domain management across all top-level domains. This makes it essential for domain owners to understand what each status means for their domain's functionality.

If you want to find out what some status codes mean, try typing them in the search bar.

Domain Name Status Codes for COM and NET Domains

Here is the table explaining what are the 8 domain name status codes used for COM and NET domains:

Status Code	Explanation
ACTIVE	Domains are typically in this state. You can use the domain to host a website, use an email address, or register name servers.
REGISTRAR-HOLD	The registrar (Dynadot) has placed the domain on hold and it cannot be used.
REGISTRY-HOLD	The central registry has placed the domain on hold and it cannot be used.
REGISTRAR-LOCK	The registrar (Dynadot), has locked the domain so settings cannot be changed.
REGISTRY-LOCK	The central registry has locked the domain so that its settings cannot be changed.
RedemptionPeriod	The domain has expired and the central registry is waiting 30 days before releasing it.
PendingRestore	A domain that had expired is now being restored to ACTIVE status.
PendingDelete	The domain expired the registry is about to erase it. A domain remains in this status for five days before it is deleted.

 

Domain Status Codes for ORG, BIZ, US, INFO, and NAME Domains

These are the 15 domain name status codes used for ORG, BIZ, US, INFO, and NAME domains:

Status Code	Explanation
CLIENT_DELETE_PROHIBITED	The registrar (Dynadot) has locked the domain so that it cannot be deleted.
SERVER_DELETE_PROHIBITED	The central registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be deleted.
CLIENT_HOLD	The registrar (Dynadot) has placed the domain on hold; it cannot be used.
SERVER_HOLD	The central registry has placed the domain on hold; it cannot be used.
CLIENT_RENEW_PROHIBITED	The registrar (Dynadot) has locked the domain so that it cannot be renewed.
SERVER_RENEW_PROHIBITED	The central registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be renewed.
CLIENT_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED	The registrar (Dynadot) has locked the domain so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
SERVER_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED	The central registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
CLIENT_UPDATE_PROHIBITED	The registrar (Dynadot) has locked the domain to prevent its settings from being changed.
SERVER_UPDATE_PROHIBITED	The central registry has locked the domain to prevent its settings from being changed.
INACTIVE	The domain cannot be used because name servers have not been entered or there is a problem with the current name server settings.
OK	Domains are typically in this state. You can use the domain to host a website, use an email address, or register name servers.
PENDING_DELETE	The domain is about to be deleted by the central registry when the domain expires.
PENDING_TRANSFER	The domain is in the process of being transferred from one registrar to another. It's settings may not be changed during this period.
PENDING_VERIFICATION	The central registry is in the process of creating the domain record.

 

Conclusion

Understanding the domain status meaning is essential for maintaining a healthy domain name and avoiding unexpected website downtime.

By regularly checking your domain status codes through a WHOIS lookup using our online WHOIS check tool, you can proactively identify potential issues before they impact your online presence.

Whether your domain shows an ACTIVE status, is locked for security, or requires immediate attention due to expiration warnings, knowing how to interpret these status codes empowers you to take swift action.

Keep this guide handy as your reference for domain status codes explained, and remember that when in doubt, contacting your registrar promptly can help resolve most domain-related issues before they escalate into serious problems.

Get started with a domain name journey! Register your domain name with Dynadot.

 

FAQs

 

What does OK or ACTIVE mean for a domain?

OK is the standard status for a domain with no pending operations or prohibitions. In older .com and .net references, ACTIVE is used in a very similar way. In both cases, the domain is generally usable for websites, email, and name server configuration.

 

Why would a domain be on hold?

A domain may be on hold when the registrar sets clientHold or the registry sets serverHold. In either case, the domain is not activated in DNS, so it typically will not resolve. This can happen because of billing issues, disputes, deletion workflows, or other registrar or registry actions.

 

What is the difference between a registrar lock and a registry lock?

A registrar lock is usually applied by your registrar and often appears through client*Prohibited statuses such as transfer or update restrictions. A registry lock is stronger because it is enforced at the registry level and is often implemented through multiple server*Prohibited statuses.

 

Can a domain still be recovered during redemptionPeriod?

Usually, yes. ICANN describes redemptionPeriod as a roughly 30-day restore window after the registrar has asked the registry to delete the domain. If the registrar starts the restore process, the domain may then move to pendingRestore while documentation is completed.