A domain name lock is a method used by a domain name registrar or registry to disable a domain name. When a domain name is in the ClientHold or ServerHold status, its DNS resolution is paused and the website becomes inaccessible. This topic describes how to remove the lock status from a domain name.
Query the domain name status
Go to WHOIS Lookup. Enter your domain name and click Query Now.
On the query page, view the current domain name status.
Registry-related locks (serverHold or serverTransferProhibited)
The domain name has passed identity verification, but its status is still serverHold
Possible cause: After a domain name passes identity verification, the domain name status is not updated immediately. The update may take up to one business day.
Solution: Wait for one business day and then query the status again on the WHOIS page.
The domain name is locked by the registry due to a violation
Possible cause: The registry may lock a domain name if it is involved in prohibited activities or if it was purchased from a domain name marketplace while in a state of abuse or dispute.
Solution: To remove the lock, submit an appeal to the registry.
To obtain the contact information or find the appeal channel for the registry, contact Alibaba Cloud After-sales Support through Intelligent Online.
Registrar-related lock (clientHold)
Possible cause: If the domain name status is clientHold, your domain name may have violated registrar regulations. For example, the domain name may not have passed identity verification or it may use a public template.
Solution: Go to the . Click the locked domain name to go to its details page. Use the solutions in the following table to remove the lock.
Domain name status |
Solutions |
You received an Authentication Failed error because you used the public mailbox zyhl-admin@list.alibaba-inc.com. |
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An ownership transfer or domain name transfer was recently performed. |
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The identity verification status is Unverified. |
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A text message or email notification was received stating that the domain name is involved in illegal or non-compliant activities. |
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The domain name has expired. |
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The domain name was locked before it was transferred to Alibaba Cloud. |
The domain name is locked because the registrant mailbox is a public mailbox
Troubleshooting: In the Domain Names console, click Manage in the Actions column of the locked domain name. On the Basic Information page, check if the Contact Mailbox is the public mailbox for the Alibaba Cloud public template: zyhl-admin@list.alibaba-inc.com.
Solution:
Log on to the Domain Names console, and click Manage in the Actions column of the target domain name to open the basic information page.
On the Basic Information page, click Change (Transfer Ownership) to go to the ownership transfer page.
Select Quick Transfer, and then select a template for which identity verification and email verification are complete.
ImportantIf you do not have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you must create a template and complete identity verification. For more information, see Identity verification for a domain name.
After you obtain the CAPTCHA and select the related agreements, click Submit to complete the quick transfer.
The domain name is locked because email verification is not complete
Troubleshooting: In the Domain Names console, click Manage in the Actions column of the locked domain name. On the Basic Information page, check if the Contact Mailbox status is Verified. If the status is not Verified, the domain name may be locked by the registrar because email verification was not completed. Follow the instructions in this section to change the domain name status.
Solution:
If your domain name uses your own mailbox
Log on to the Domain Names console and click Manage in the Actions column of the target domain name to go to the Basic Information page.
On the Basic Information page, click Verification Failed, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification.
If you use the public mailbox of the Alibaba Cloud public template: zyhl-admin@list.alibaba-inc.com
Log on to the Domain Names console, and click Manage in the Actions column of the target domain name to open the basic information page.
On the Basic Information page, click Change (Transfer Ownership) to go to the ownership transfer page.
Select Quick Transfer, and then select a template for which identity verification and email verification are complete.
ImportantIf you do not have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you must create a template and complete identity verification. For more information, see Identity verification for a domain name.
After you obtain the CAPTCHA and select the related agreements, click Submit to complete the quick transfer.
Delay in domain name status synchronization
Problem description: Your domain name is locked due to an identity verification issue. You completed the domain name ownership transfer as instructed, but the domain name is still locked.
Solution: Wait two to three days for the data to be synchronized with the domain name registrar. The domain name status will then return to Normal.
If the domain name is still locked after two to three days, contact Alibaba Cloud After-sales Support through Intelligent Online.
The domain name is locked because identity verification information is incomplete
According to the requirements of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for comprehensive domain name identity verification in 2017, all existing and newly registered domain names must pass identity verification.
Troubleshooting: In the Domain Names console, click Manage in the Actions column for the locked domain name. On the Basic Information page, check if the identity verification information is complete. If information is missing in the Basic Information section, the domain name may be locked due to incomplete identity verification information. Follow the instructions in this section to change the domain name status.
Solution:
In the Domain Names console, click Manage in the Actions column of the target domain name. On the Basic Information page, click Change (Transfer Ownership) next to Registrant.
Quick Transfer: If you have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you can select Quick Transfer. For more information, see Modify registrant information (transfer ownership).
Standard Transfer: If you do not have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you can select Standard Transfer. For more information, see Modify registrant information (transfer ownership).
The domain name is locked because identity verification is not complete
Troubleshooting: You can view the status of a locked domain name on the Domain Names page. If the Domain Status is Pending Identity Verification, the domain name may be locked because it has not passed identity verification. Follow the instructions in this section to update the domain name status.
Solution:
In the Domain Names console, click Manage in the Actions column of the target domain name. On the Basic Information page, click Change (Transfer Ownership) next to Registrant.
Quick Transfer: If you have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you can select Quick Transfer. For more information, see Modify registrant information (transfer ownership).
Standard Transfer: If you do not have a registrant profile template that has passed identity verification, you can select Standard Transfer. For more information, see Modify registrant information (transfer ownership).
After the domain name passes identity verification, it is unlocked within one to two business days.
The domain name is locked due to a dispute or violation
Problem description:
If your domain name is in a state of arbitration, dispute, or conflict, it is disabled by the registrar during judicial or legal proceedings. The lock cannot be removed unless the registrar receives a legal enforcement document or a domain name enforcement document from a judicial authority.
ImportantIf a higher-level competent authority issues an explicit notice to stop DNS resolution, block access, or shut down a domain name, website, or host, you must obtain explicit permission from that authority before you can restore access.
If your domain name has a critical violation of information security rules, its DNS resolution is paused. During this period, you cannot delete or modify its DNS records.
Solution: Delete the illegal or non-compliant information from your website as required and commit to strengthening your website's information security management. After you complete these changes, contact Alibaba Cloud After-sales Support through Intelligent Online to request that the domain name be unlocked.
The domain name is locked due to expiration
Troubleshooting: Use WHOIS Lookup to query the expiration date of the domain name. If the domain name has expired, it may be locked. Follow the instructions in this section to change the domain name status. For more information about domain name expiration, see Redeem a domain name.
Solution:
If the domain name is in the renewal grace period (within 30 days after expiration), you can renew it to extend its validity period. For more information, see Renew a domain name.
If the domain name enters the redemption period after the grace period ends, you can redeem it at a higher price. For more information, see Redeem a domain name.
If the domain name has been deleted, you can register it again. For more information, see Basic procedure for registering a domain name.
The domain name is locked by the original registrar
Problem description: If your domain name was locked before you transferred it to Alibaba Cloud (for example, its status was clientHold or clientUpdateProhibited), the domain name may be locked by the original registrar. Follow the instructions in this section to change the domain name status.
Solution: You can submit the required materials to unlock the domain name. For more information, see How do I unlock a domain name that was locked by the original registrar before being transferred to Alibaba Cloud?.