Understanding EPP Domain Status Codes: What They Are and Why They Matter

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When you register a domain, it’s not just a simple name on the internet. Every domain is monitored and managed by both registrars and registry operators, which assign specific status codes to your domain. These codes, called EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) Status Codes, are essential for understanding your domain’s current state, ensuring its security, and preventing unauthorized actions.

In this blog post, we’ll break down what EPP status codes are, why they matter, and explain all the common codes you need to know.

What are EPP Domain Status Codes?

EPP domain status codes are a standardized system used by domain registries to communicate the status of a domain. They tell you whether your domain is:

  • Active or inactive
  • Locked against unauthorized changes
  • In a grace period after registration, renewal, or transfer
  • At risk of deletion or in the process of restoration

There are two main types of status codes:

  1. Registry (Server) Status Codes – Set by the domain’s registry (e.g., Verisign for .com domains).
  2. Registrar (Client) Status Codes – Set by your domain registrar (e.g., FastHostCity).

Understanding these codes helps you manage your domain properly, prevent domain loss, and enhance security.

Registry (Server) Status Codes

Registry status codes are applied at the registry level. They control the domain’s behavior and reflect administrative actions. Here are the key ones:

1. AddPeriod / RenewPeriod / TransferPeriod

  • These are grace periods after registration, renewal, or transfer.
  • They allow the registry to provide a credit to the registrar if the domain is deleted within the period.
  • Action: Usually informational; no immediate action required.

2. AutoRenewPeriod

  • A temporary period after automatic renewal.
  • If you do not wish to keep the domain, contact your registrar immediately.
  • Action: Decide whether to continue ownership or cancel renewal.

3. Inactive / ServerHold

  • The domain is not active in DNS and will not resolve.
  • Could be due to missing delegation information or administrative holds.
  • Action: Contact your registrar to fix the issue and provide proper nameservers.

4. OK (Active)

  • Standard active status; no restrictions or pending operations.
  • Action: Optionally, apply security locks like clientTransferProhibited or clientDeleteProhibited.

5. PendingCreate / PendingUpdate / PendingRenew / PendingTransfer / PendingRestore

  • Indicates that a request for the domain (creation, update, transfer, renew, restore) is being processed.
  • Action: If you didn’t initiate this, contact your registrar immediately.

6. RedemptionPeriod / PendingDelete

  • Your domain has expired or is in the final stages before deletion.
  • Redemption period usually lasts 30 days. After this, the domain is purged and becomes available for registration.
  • Action: Contact your registrar immediately if you want to retain the domain.

7. Server Restrictions (Delete, Transfer, Update, Renew Prohibited)

  • Security locks applied by the registry to prevent unauthorized actions.
  • Usually used during legal disputes, redemption periods, or at your request.
  • Action: Contact your registrar to lift restrictions for legitimate changes.

Registrar (Client) Status Codes

Registrar status codes are applied by your registrar to control domain actions at their level. Common client codes include:

1. ClientHold

  • Domain is suspended by the registrar, often due to non-payment or disputes.
  • Action: Contact your registrar to resolve the issue.

2. ClientDeleteProhibited / ClientTransferProhibited / ClientUpdateProhibited / ClientRenewProhibited

  • Security locks to prevent deletion, transfer, updates, or renewals without authorization.
  • Action: Protects against hijacking and fraud. Request removal from registrar if legitimate action is required.

Why EPP Status Codes Matter

  1. Security: Protects your domain from unauthorized transfers, updates, or deletions.
  2. Domain Management: Helps you track your domain’s lifecycle and take action during grace periods or pending operations.
  3. Compliance: Ensures that domain registration rules and legal requirements are followed.
  4. Problem Resolution: Identifies issues quickly so they can be fixed with your registrar before affecting your website.

Tips to Keep Your Domain Safe

  • Monitor your domain regularly to ensure there are no unexpected status changes.
  • Enable security locks like clientTransferProhibited or clientUpdateProhibited.
  • Act promptly during grace periods, pending deletes, or redemption periods.
  • Work with your registrar to resolve any disputes or issues immediately.

Conclusion

Understanding EPP domain status codes is crucial for every domain owner. These codes provide insights into your domain’s current state, security, and potential risks. By knowing what each status means and how to respond, you can safeguard your domain, prevent unauthorized actions, and ensure your website stays live without interruptions.

At FastHostCity, we help our clients monitor domain status, implement security measures, and manage every step of the domain lifecycle.