Domain status code checker: what do this domain's EPP status codes mean?
In short: Paste domains and get every EPP status code in each registry record, explained: who set it, what it does, and what to do, with each domain read as Normal, Needs a look, On hold or Being deleted. Limit: It reads the registry record; a registrar's reason for a hold isn't in it, so the meanings give the usual causes.
A domain status code checker reads the EPP status codes in a domain's registry record and explains them. Paste one domain or up to 100 (500 after a Google sign-in): each code, such as clientTransferProhibited, clientHold, autoRenewPeriod or redemptionPeriod, comes back with who set it, what it means and what to do, and each domain is read as Normal, Needs a look, On hold or Being deleted.
Price: this tool is free. Checking a whole email list is from $9/mo, and the first 100 checks are free with Google, no card. See pricing
Sample result
acme.example has the routine registrar lock; globex.example is on clientHold and doesn't resolve.
- Domain
- globex.example
- clientHold
- Out of DNS
- clientTransferProhibited
- Registrar lock
What this means for you
Know what every status code on your domains means, and which ones need action now.
- Every code explained, with who set it
- Holds, redemption and pending delete flagged
- What the owner can do for each code
- 100 domains a run, 500 when signed in
- EPP
- Status codes
- RDAP
By SimpleVerifier Team · Last updated
Also in: Português (Brasil) · Español · Deutsch · Français
Checking a portfolio, or the domains on a mailing list?
- Over 500 domains? Run them in batches of 500 when signed in and download the CSV after each.
- Domains on hold or being deleted don't resolve, so mail to every address on them bounces. Remove them from your list or check it with the bulk email checker.
- Check the whole list at /verify. The first 100 email checks are free with a Google sign-in, no card.
How do I check a domain's status codes?
- Paste domains, one per line: up to 100 a run, or 500 after a free Google sign-in. Addresses and URLs work; subdomains are reduced to the registered name.
- Press Explain status codes. Each domain's record is read from its registry's RDAP server, 20 at a time.
- Read each domain's reading and its codes: who set each one (registrar or registry), what it means, and what the owner can do.
- Filter for On hold and Being deleted to find domains that don't resolve or are about to be released, and download the CSV.
Example
- You enter
- Three domains:
acme.examplewith clientTransferProhibited and clientUpdateProhibited,globex.examplewith clientHold, andinitech.examplewith redemptionPeriod. - You get
acme.exampleNormal: the registrar lock, the safe default.globex.exampleOn hold: the registrar took it out of DNS, often an unpaid renewal or an unverified contact email; contact the registrar.initech.exampleBeing deleted: restore it at the registrar within the 30-day redemption period. Each code is listed with who set it and what to do.- Limits
- Up to 100 domains a run without an account and 500 when signed in with Google. TLDs without RDAP show Unknown.
What are EPP status codes?
Every domain in a registry has one or more status codes, defined in the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (RFC 5731). Codes beginning with client are set by the registrar; codes beginning with server are set by the registry and take priority. Grace periods and redemption come from RFC 3915. ICANN's EPP status codes page explains each one for domain owners.
RDAP, the modern WHOIS, writes the same codes as words ("client transfer prohibited") under RFC 8056, and the checker reads both forms. A domain usually carries several codes at once; ok (or active) means no restrictions at all.
Which status codes are a problem?
clientHold and serverHold take the domain out of DNS, so its website and email stop working; the usual causes are an unpaid renewal, an unverified contact email, an abuse report or a dispute. inactive means no nameservers are set. redemptionPeriod, pendingRestore and pendingDelete mean the domain expired and is being deleted: restore it during the 30-day redemption period, or it's released after the final 5 days of pendingDelete.
Worth a look: autoRenewPeriod (the domain passed its expiry date and the registry renewed it; the registrar can still delete it within 45 days if the renewal isn't paid), pendingTransfer (a transfer to another registrar is under way; reject it if you didn't start it) and clientRenewProhibited or serverRenewProhibited (renewal blocked).
Are transfer and update locks normal?
Yes. clientTransferProhibited, clientUpdateProhibited and clientDeleteProhibited are the registrar lock most registrars switch on by default, and the server versions are a registry lock that many high-value domains pay for. They protect the domain from hijacking and show as Normal. Turn the transfer lock off only when you're moving the domain; the domain transfer checker says which domains can move now.
Who uses this tool, and for what?
- Domain owners
- A site or inbox stopped working: see whether the domain is on hold, and why that usually happens.
- Agencies
- Check every client domain for holds, pending transfers and expired renewals in one run.
- Domain investors
- Spot names in redemption or pending delete, and when they'll be released.
- Email marketers
- Find domains on a list that are on hold or being deleted, so every address on them will bounce.
What can’t this tool tell you?
- It reads the registry record; a registrar's reason for a hold isn't in it, so the meanings give the usual causes.
- TLDs whose registry publishes no RDAP, such as .io, .co, .me and .de, show unknown.
- Country-code registries may use their own codes or timings; unfamiliar codes are shown as published.
- Up to 100 domains a run without an account and 500 signed in.
Common questions
- What does clientHold mean?
- The registrar has taken the domain out of DNS, so it doesn't resolve. Common reasons: an unpaid renewal, a contact email that wasn't verified, or an abuse complaint. Contact the registrar to lift it.
- What does clientTransferProhibited mean?
- The registrar lock is on, so the domain can't move to another registrar. It's a normal safety setting; turn it off at the registrar only when you want to transfer.
- What does redemptionPeriod mean?
- The domain expired and the registrar asked for it to be deleted. For 30 days the owner can still restore it at the current registrar, usually for a fee; then it goes to pendingDelete and is released.
- What does autoRenewPeriod mean?
- The domain reached its expiry date and the registry renewed it automatically. The registrar has up to 45 days to delete it for a refund, which it does if the owner doesn't pay.
- What is the difference between client and server status codes?
- Client codes are set by the registrar, server codes by the registry. The owner can ask the registrar to change client codes; server codes need the registry.
- Is the domain status code checker free?
- Yes. 100 domains a run without an account and 500 after a free Google sign-in, no card. The registries' RDAP services are public.
Sources
You audited one domain. Cold outreach means thousands.
This tool checks a domain you type in. It will not tell you which addresses at that domain are real.
- Bulk mailbox verification with real SMTP checks
- The email finder — name plus company to a verified address
- Website enrichment for emails, owner names and socials
Plans from $9 a month, cancel anytime, no contract. Sign in with Google and your first 100 email checks are free, no card. The free tools stay free either way.