Domain status codes, explained

Domains carry standardised status codes (EPP codes) that control what can happen to them. Here's what each one means in plain language.

Registrar locks (client codes)

Set by your registrar — usually protective, and removable by you through your registrar account.

• clientTransferProhibited — Locked against transfer to another registrar. Normal and protective.
• clientUpdateProhibited — Changes to domain records are blocked until unlocked.
• clientDeleteProhibited — The domain can't be deleted. Prevents accidental loss.
• clientHold — Serious: the domain is removed from DNS — site and email go offline. Often an expired or unverified domain.
• clientRenewProhibited — Renewal is being refused, often a billing issue.

Registry locks (server codes)

Set by the registry itself — your registrar can't always remove these directly.

• serverTransferProhibited — Registry-level transfer lock. Often auto-applied for the first 60 days after registration.
• serverUpdateProhibited / serverDeleteProhibited — Registry blocks changes or deletion, often during a dispute or legal hold.
• serverHold — Serious: the registry has pulled the domain from DNS. Site and email are down for a legal, financial, or compliance reason.

Lifecycle & grace periods

• pendingTransfer — A transfer is in progress. If you didn't start it, act urgently.
• redemptionPeriod — Expired but still recoverable, usually for a premium restore fee (~30 days).
• pendingDelete — Past recovery: scheduled for deletion, then drops to public availability (~5 days).
• addPeriod, autoRenewPeriod, renewPeriod, transferPeriod — Short grace windows after a registration, renewal, or transfer. They clear on their own.
• ok — No restrictions. (Worth noting: a domain with only ok has no transfer lock — most owners should add one.)