Domain name statuses explained

After setting up Web Hosting, VPS, or a dedicated server with us, you'll get access to our DNS panel. Add your domain there, then update the nameservers at your registrar to:

ns1.fornex.com
ns2.fornex.com
ns3.fornex.com
ns4.fornex.com

When you look up your domain in any Whois tool (whois.icann.org, who.is или whois.com, etc.), you'll see a Status field. These codes tell you exactly what's happening with your domain — whether it's active, locked, expired, in redemption, or stuck in some process.

There are two main categories:

• Client statuses (client*) — set by your registrar (often for protection or at your request)
• Server statuses (server*) — set by the registry (the top-level authority) and override client statuses

Client statuses (set by your registrar)

These are the ones you (or your registrar) can usually turn on/off.

• clientDeleteProhibited
  The domain cannot be deleted. This is a common anti-hijacking protection.

• clientHold
  The domain is on hold — it's not delegated to DNS. Your website and email won't work.
  Usually caused by non-payment, policy violation, or a manual hold request.

• clientRenewProhibited
  Renewal is blocked. Often set when the domain is already extended to the maximum allowed period (typically 10 years).

• clientTransferProhibited
  Transfer to another registrar is locked.
  Automatically applied for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer to prevent unauthorized moves.

• clientUpdateProhibited
  No changes allowed to any domain data (owner details, contacts, nameservers, etc.).
  Protection against unauthorized updates.

Server statuses (set by the registry)

These are higher-priority and can't be removed by the registrar alone — they usually require registry approval or resolution of a dispute.

• serverDeleteProhibited
  Registry-level block on deletion. Common during legal disputes or redemption periods.

• serverHold
  Registry has disabled DNS delegation. Website and email are offline.

• serverRenewProhibited
  Registry blocks renewal. Typically during disputes or pending deletion.

• serverTransferProhibited
  Registry blocks transfer. Applied during disputes, non-payment, or protection periods.

• serverUpdateProhibited
  Registry blocks any updates to domain records. Used in disputes or legal holds.

Temporary & technical statuses

These indicate lifecycle stages or pending actions.

• addPeriod
  Grace period right after registration (usually 5 days). Deleting during this time refunds the registrar.

• autoRenewPeriod
  Grace period after automatic renewal (~45 days). Deleting refunds the renewal fee.

• renewPeriod
  Grace period after manual renewal (~5 days).

• transferPeriod
  Grace period after a successful transfer (~5 days). Deleting refunds the transfer fee.

• redemptionPeriod
  30-day recovery window after deletion. You can restore the domain for a fee.
  After that → pendingDelete (5 days) → fully deleted and available again.

• pendingCreate / pendingRenew / pendingTransfer / pendingUpdate
  A request (create, renew, transfer, update) is in progress. Usually resolves in 1–5 days.

• inactive
  No valid nameservers are set. Domain isn't delegated → website and email don't resolve.

• ok / active
  Everything is normal. No restrictions or pending actions.

What to do if you see a "bad" status

• clientHold / serverHold / inactive
  Check payment status, nameservers, and domain settings at your registrar. Fix it and wait 24–48 hours for DNS propagation.

• Prohibited statuses (delete/renew/transfer/update)
  Contact your registrar directly — most can remove client-level locks via support ticket. Server-level ones may require more steps.

• redemptionPeriod
  Act quickly — pay the redemption fee through your registrar. Prices vary by TLD and registrar.

• pending* statuses
  These are normal — just wait a few days for processing to complete.