serverHold status

The registry has removed the domain from DNS, so it does not resolve and its website and email stop working until the hold is lifted.

serverHold at a glance
EPP status codeserverHold
RDAP statusserver hold (per RFC 8056)
Set byRegistry
CategoryServer status (set by the registry)
Defined inRFC 5731
ICANN referenceicann.org/epp#serverHold

What serverHold means

serverHold means the registry is not publishing the domain's delegation (name server) information in the TLD's DNS zone. Resolvers can no longer find the domain, so websites, email and other services on it stop working. The domain itself remains registered. In RDAP it appears as server hold.

It has the same effect as clientHold, but it is set by the registry rather than the registrar, and only the registry can remove it.

Registries use it to suspend domains that break the TLD's policies, for example because of abuse or unmet registration requirements, and to comply with court orders. Some registries also use it for domains that are in the process of being deleted.

Official definition: ICANN, EPP Status Codes: What Do They Mean, and Why Should I Know? (serverHold)

Why a domain has this status

  • Abuse such as phishing, malware distribution or botnet activity was reported to, or detected by, the registry.
  • The domain does not meet the TLD's eligibility or registration requirements, for example missing documents or a local presence requirement. This is more common with country-code and restricted TLDs.
  • A court order or a request from law enforcement.
  • The domain is expired or being deleted, at registries that use serverHold for that.

What you should do

  • Contact your registrar first. Registrants usually can't deal with the registry directly, but the registrar can find out why the registry suspended the domain and what is needed to lift the hold.
  • Check your email for notices from the registrar or registry about abuse reports, document requests or verification.
  • If the domain was hacked or misused without your knowledge, clean up the compromised site or account and give the registrar evidence that the problem has been fixed.
  • Once the hold is lifted, allow time for DNS caches to update before the domain resolves everywhere again.

Check a domain's status

Look up any domain to see its current status codes, registrar, expiration date and name servers from the registry's RDAP or WHOIS service.

  • clientHold: The registrar has told the registry not to publish the domain in DNS, so the domain does not resolve and its website and email stop working.
  • inactive: The domain has no name servers delegated at the registry, so it is not published in DNS and does not resolve.
  • serverRenewProhibited: The registry won't allow the domain to be renewed, an uncommon status usually linked to a legal dispute or an upcoming deletion.
  • redemptionPeriod: The domain was deleted and no longer resolves, but its owner can restore it for a fee during the redemption period (30 days for gTLDs).
  • pendingDelete: The domain is being deleted. After the redemption period it can't be restored, and gTLD domains are released about 5 days later.

Frequently asked questions

What does serverHold mean?

The registry has suspended the domain in DNS. The domain is still registered, but it does not resolve, so websites and email on it do not work until the registry lifts the hold.

How do I remove serverHold?

Contact your registrar and ask why the registry placed the hold. Once the underlying issue is resolved, for example an abuse complaint, missing documents or a legal matter, the registrar asks the registry to lift it.

Further reading