--- title: How to fix a domain suspended by serverHold or clientHold description: What serverHold and clientHold mean, why they happen, and how to resolve them. url: "https://vercel.com/kb/guide/how-to-fix-a-domain-suspended-by-serverhold-or-clienthold" published: 2026-06-12 last_updated: 2026-06-12 authors: Anders Morley-Hagström install_vercel_plugin: npx plugins add vercel/vercel-plugin --- `serverHold` is an EPP status code set by the registry, not Vercel, that completely suspends the domain. The most common reason for this is that the domain has been flagged for abuse. A similar status, `clientHold`, can also suspend your domain - this is typically set by your registrar when ICANN's contact verification hasn't been completed. You can confirm the status by checking your domain on [whois.vercel.support](https://whois.vercel.support). The steps below walk you through how to clear them on your domain. In this guide, you'll learn how to: - Confirm your domain is in serverHold - Understand the difference between serverHold and clientHold - Check whether your domain has been flagged for abuse ### Step 1: Confirm the status You can either use your terminal and run “whois” followed by your domain name or use the Vercel WHOIS available at [whois.vercel.support](http://whois.vercel.support) and search for your domain. If it's in serverHold, you'll see `Domain Status: serverHold` in the results. The Vercel WHOIS page will also show a warning if your domain is suspended: ![CleanShot 2026-06-04 at 12.12.31@2x.png](https://images.ctfassets.net/hjgychtc108g/4tK5nSQLIwdsnB18TZmBKo/aafb036602b87c4feef9ea75bb901fbb/CleanShot_2026-06-04_at_12.12.31_2x.png) If you see `Domain Status: clientHold` instead, the suspension has been set by the registrar rather than the registry. This usually means ICANN's registrant verification email hasn't been completed. Check your inbox for a verification email from your registrar and follow the link to confirm your contact details. Once verified, the registrar should lift the hold automatically, though it can take a few hours to propagate. If you no longer have access to the registrant's email address, you can update it first. Go to **Domains** > select your domain > **Registrant Information**, update the address, and then complete the verification from there. If you don’t receive any email, check that the email address is spelt correctly before resending. ### Step 2: Check for abuse flags If verification is already complete but the domain is still suspended, check it on [VirusTotal](https://www.virustotal.com/). If it's flagged, remove the offending content and use VirusTotal's **Reanalyze** option to request a re-scan. Unfortunately, this isn't something Vercel Support is able to help with directly. When a domain is flagged for abuse, the flag is set by the registry, not by Vercel. You'll need to work with the registry directly and resolve whatever they have flagged before they'll remove it. Some registries also have their own process for suspension review requests. If your domain uses one of the TLDs below, submit a request directly with the registry after clearing any abuse flags: - **XYZ Registry** — [unsuspend form](https://gen.xyz/account/submitticket.php?action=unsuspend) (.xyz, .lat, .pics, .lol, .mom, .homes, .college, .rent, .auto, .car, .cars, .theatre) - **Radix** — [unsuspend form](https://abuse.radix.website/unsuspension) (.store, .online, .tech, .site, .fun, .pw, .host, .press, .space, .uno, .website) - **.ART NIC** — [unsuspend form](https://www.nic.art/unsuspend-request) (.art) - **DotKids** — [appeal process](https://www.nic.kids/dotkids-files/policies/KIDS-Objections-Take-down-Appeals-Policy--DRAFTv1-2--20221213.pdf) (.kids) ## FAQ ### What is a registry? A registry is the organisation responsible for managing a top-level domain (TLD) such as .com, .xyz, or .store. They maintain the authoritative database of all domain names under that TLD and set the rules for registering and using those domains. Registries can place a serverHold on a domain if it has been flagged for abuse. ### What is a registrar? A registrar is the company you register your domain through. Vercel is an accredited registrar, though registration is handled in the backend by [name.com](http://name.com). Your registrar is responsible for managing your domain's registration details, including contact information, and can place a clientHold on your domain if ICANN's verification requirements haven't been met. ### What is the difference between serverHold and clientHold? Both statuses suspend DNS resolution, meaning your domain will stop working. The difference is who set the hold and why. A serverHold is set by the registry, usually because the domain has been flagged for abuse. A clientHold is set by the registrar, usually because ICANN's contact verification hasn't been completed. ### How long does it take for the hold to lift after I verify? Once you complete the verification, your registrar should lift the clientHold automatically. The change can take a few hours to propagate across DNS. ### Why can't Vercel remove the hold for me? It depends on the type of hold. For a clientHold, Vercel can help once verification is complete. For a serverHold, the flag is set by the TLD registry, which is a separate organization that Vercel has no authority over. The registry will only lift the hold once the underlying issue, such as an abuse flag, has been resolved on your end. ## More Domains guides - [Can I use my domain on Vercel with A records?](/kb/guide/a-record-and-caa-with-vercel): Point your apex domain to Vercel with an A record (76.76.21.21 or your domain card's value), pair it with a www CNAME, and get SSL automatically. - [Troubleshooting Cross-Origin Errors (net::ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_ORB) with Deployment Protection](/kb/guide/troubleshooting-cross-origin-errors-neterr-blocked-by-orb-with-deployment-protection): Learn to resolve \`net::ERR\_BLOCKED\_BY\_ORB\` errors on protected Vercel deployments. This guide explains how cross-origin asset requests conflict with Vercel Authentication and shows the fix for Sitecore JSS apps using the \`PUBLIC\_URL\` environment variable. - [How to debug 404 errors](/kb/guide/how-to-debug-404-errors): Learn the systematic steps to identify and resolve 404 issues.