Domain hold

A domain hold is a status that stops a registered domain from being published in the DNS. While the hold is active, DNS may not direct users to the domain's website or email service. The registration can still exist, even though internet users cannot reach services through the name.

What does a domain hold do?

The registry or registrar can apply a hold status to prevent the name from resolving. Two common status labels are serverHold, applied by the registry, and clientHold, applied by the registrar. Both can remove the DNS information pointing to the name's responsible servers so lookups no longer lead to the configured services. The status label indicates which side applied the hold; it does not by itself explain why.

For example, imagine a business domain is shown with serverHold in its registration status. Its hosting account may still contain the website, but browsers cannot reach it through the domain while the hold prevents DNS from finding services for the domain. The business should contact its registrar, which can explain the status and whether information or another action is needed. It should not assume from the status alone that the website host caused the problem.

Why might a hold be applied?

The reason depends on the registry, registrar, and situation. A hold may be related to a legal or policy process, inaccurate registration information, nonpayment, a security response, or a technical requirement. A registry may use serverHold after a security review; a registrar may use clientHold under its agreement or applicable requirements. The exact reason should come from the registrar or registry, not be guessed from the word “hold.”

If you see a hold, contact the registrar that manages the domain and ask what action is required and who applied the status. If you cannot identify the registrar, use an appropriate registration lookup service. Keep written notices and update any requested registration details through the registrar's official account or support channels.

Is a domain hold the same as a transfer lock?

No. A hold stops DNS from finding services for the domain. A transfer lock prevents the registration from moving to another registrar, but the domain may still resolve normally. These statuses can also appear together, so read each status separately.

Related terms

• Domain status — the status labels shown for a registration
• Transfer lock — a restriction that blocks changing registrars
• Domain expiration — the end of a registration period
• Domain registrar — the first contact for domain-management questions