Domain Status Codes Explained: A Beginner’s Cheat Sheet

During the first quarter of 2025, domain name registrations rose to 366.2 million from 368.4 million, a sign of worldwide growth. This represents about one registered domain name for every 22 individuals across the world, demonstrating its increasing significance in claiming digital identity and supporting worldwide communication.

Given this, it is no wonder that domain status codes have become more important than ever. This is due to the fact that these codes can be found on the WHOIS lookup and assist domain administrators in knowing why a domain is not working. The status codes also indicate when the domain will expire and if it is locked for transfers.

This blog describes the most prominent domain status codes, which will help you know what to focus on when you manage your domains.

9 Domain Status Codes You Should Know

Domain status codes indicate the status of the domain, whether active, locked, or pending deletion or renewal.

Furthermore, certain domain status codes may even impact the operation of your domains by deleting them from the zone file, leading to the cessation of the services of the website and emails.

ACTIVE/OK

This default domain status code is an indicator that there are no holdbacks or operations in progress. This status is assigned by the registry, enabling the registrar to update the domain.

In this status, the domain can be renewed, and it shows in the zone only when you delegate it to at least one name server.

Under this status, your domain is also available for updates and transfers, so you would want to enable update and transfer locks unless you are going to make modifications or transfer the domain in the immediate future.

REGISTRY-LOCK

The registry places this domain status code on your domain to keep you from changing or deleting your domain. Therefore, in order to make any changes, the registry first has to remove this lock.

Although your domain is in this state, you can renew your domain. But it will be included in the zone only if you delegate it to at least one name server.

REGISTRAR-LOCK

The sponsoring registrar places this status to keep you from changing or removing the domain. But, again, similar to the above code, you can renew the domain and get it added to the zone even when it is placed under this status.

REGISTRY-HOLD

Under this domain status code, your domain will not be added to the zone and cannot be deleted or changed. However, you can still renew the domain while it remains in this status.

REGISTRAR-HOLD

This domain status code is assigned by the sponsoring registrar, so you won’t be able to change or delete the domain. You can still renew it, but the domain will not be included in the zone while under this status.

REDEMPTIONPERIOD

This domain status code is used when the registrar initiates deletion of a domain name from the registry. Nevertheless, for this status code to be found, the domain has to be registered for at least five calendar days. This implies that if you make a request to delete your domain name within five days of the day you registered it, it will be removed instantly.

During this status, your domain cannot be changed, added to the zone, or deleted. You can still opt to restore it, though. This also implies that update requests will be denied, and the domain may stay here for up to 30 days.

PENDINGRESTORE

This status code is assigned when the registry requests restoration of a domain that has been in the status REDEMPTIONPERIOD. The domain is added to the zone in this state, but all other modifications or update requests are denied.

Your domain will be in this state until you submit all the documentation needed for restoration to the registry. You have seven days to do this, or the domain will be returned to REDEMPTIONPERIOD.

PENDINGDELETE

If your domain remains in REDEMPTIONPERIOD with no restoration request, the registry flags it. In this status, the domain is removed from the zone, and all requests for modification or update are denied by the registry. The domain will remain in this status for five days before being irrevocably removed from the registry database.

PENDINGCREATE

This domain status code simply means a request for the creation of your domain has been received and is being handled. In this case, your domain is registered but not yet delegated or active. This usually results from pending registry risk checks for new domains.

This can also be when the TLD is under a special registration period, such as a sunrise period, whereby your domain will come into effect and will be assigned at the end of this kind of period. This domain status code may end in some instances when the registry rejects the registration request.

Get Expertise Over Domain Status Codes

Domain status codes have now become the ticket to successful and precise domain management due to the information that they offer. With domain status codes, you will be able to know the exact reason why your domain is not performing like it is supposed to.

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