Domain Status Codes Reference
Reference for EPP domain status codes you may encounter in your YWT account or WHOIS lookups, with explanations and recommended actions.
Domain Status Codes Reference
Every domain has one or more status codes that describe its current state. These are formally known as EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) status codes and are set by either the registrar (client) or the registry (server). Understanding these codes helps you know what actions are available for your domain and whether any issues need attention.
Check your domain's status. You can see your domain's current status codes in two places: the domain detail page in your YWT account, or by performing a WHOIS lookup at whois.nic.ch for .ch/.li domains or any standard WHOIS tool for other TLDs.
Status codes overview
Status codes are divided into two categories:
- Client statuses (prefixed with
client) are set by the registrar on behalf of the domain owner. If one appears and you need a change, contact YWT support unless the UI explicitly exposes the action. - Server statuses (prefixed with
server) are set by the registry (e.g. SWITCH for.ch/.li). These are enforced by the registry and cannot be changed by the registrar directly.
Common status codes
Active / normal statuses
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
ok | Registry | The domain is active and functioning normally. No pending operations or restrictions. | No action needed. This is the healthy default state. |
active | Registry | Equivalent to ok in some registries (including SWITCH for .ch/.li). The domain is registered and operational. | No action needed. |
When a domain has the ok or active status and no other statuses, it means there are no locks, holds, or pending operations. This is the ideal state for a domain in regular use.
Transfer protection
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
clientTransferProhibited | Registrar | The domain is locked to prevent unauthorized transfers to another registrar. | Contact support if you need the status changed. |
serverTransferProhibited | Registry | The registry has locked the domain against transfers. | Contact YWT support or the registry if you believe this status is unexpected. |
Update protection
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
clientUpdateProhibited | Registrar | Prevents changes to the domain's registrant contact, nameservers, and other settings. | Contact support if you need the status changed. |
serverUpdateProhibited | Registry | The registry has locked the domain against updates. | Contact YWT support for assistance. |
Deletion protection
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
clientDeleteProhibited | Registrar | Prevents the domain from being deleted by the registrar. | Contact support if you need the status changed. |
serverDeleteProhibited | Registry | The registry has locked the domain against deletion. | Contact YWT support for assistance. |
Renewal protection
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
clientRenewProhibited | Registrar | Prevents the domain from being renewed. Rarely used intentionally. | Contact YWT support if this is unexpected. |
serverRenewProhibited | Registry | The registry has blocked renewals for the domain. | Contact YWT support. This may indicate a dispute or policy enforcement. |
Hold statuses
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
clientHold | Registrar | The domain is suspended by the registrar. It will not resolve in DNS. | This is typically set due to unpaid invoices or a policy violation. Check your billing status and contact YWT support. |
serverHold | Registry | The domain is suspended by the registry. It will not resolve in DNS. | This can be due to registry policy enforcement, a WHOIS data accuracy issue, or a legal dispute. Contact YWT support for guidance. |
Domains on hold do not resolve. If your domain has a clientHold or serverHold status, your website, email, and all DNS-dependent services will stop working until the hold is lifted. Address the underlying issue immediately.
Pending operations
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
pendingCreate | Registry | The domain registration is being processed. | Wait for the registry to complete the registration. This usually resolves within minutes. |
pendingTransfer | Registry | A domain transfer is in progress. | Watch for any transfer-related email from the current registrar, new registrar, or registry. See Transfer a domain. |
pendingUpdate | Registry | A change to the domain's settings is being processed. | Wait for the update to complete. |
pendingDelete | Registry | The domain has been marked for deletion and is in a waiting period before it is released. | If the deletion was unintentional, contact YWT support immediately. The domain may still be recoverable during this period. |
pendingRenew | Registry | A renewal is being processed. | Wait for the renewal to complete. Check your billing to confirm payment was successful. |
pendingRestore | Registry | A request to restore a deleted domain is being processed. | Wait for the restore to complete. |
Expiration and recovery
| Status | Set by | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
redemptionPeriod | Registry | The domain is in a registry recovery phase after expiration. | Contact YWT support immediately. Recovery depends on registry state and may carry additional cost. |
pendingDelete (after recovery) | Registry | The domain is queued for final deletion and release to the public. | Recovery may no longer be possible. If you need the domain, monitor availability and register it again if it is released. |
autoRenewPeriod | Registry | The domain has been auto-renewed by the registry but the renewal has not yet been confirmed or paid by the registrar. | Ensure your payment method is up to date. The renewal will be finalized once payment is confirmed. |
Domain lifecycle
Understanding how status codes change throughout a domain's lifecycle:
- Registration:
pendingCreatethenok/active. - Normal operation:
okwith optional locks likeclientTransferProhibited. - Transfer:
pendingTransferthenokat the new registrar. - Expiration: the domain may move through registry-specific expiry and recovery states.
- Deletion: the domain may eventually be released to the public pool.
The exact expiration, recovery, and deletion timelines vary by TLD. For .ch and .li domains, SWITCH publishes their specific lifecycle policies. For other TLDs, check the registry's documentation.
SWITCH-specific statuses for .ch / .li
The SWITCH registry for .ch and .li domains may use slightly different terminology or additional statuses:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
active | Equivalent to ok. The domain is registered and functioning. |
inactive | The domain is registered but has no nameservers configured. It will not resolve. |
If you see a status you do not recognize, check the SWITCH documentation or contact YWT support for clarification.
Next steps
- Learn how to request or use transfer authorization codes in Transfer a domain.
- Check your domain's current status in your YWT account under Domains > [Your domain].
- Read about WHOIS lookups for more information about querying domain data.