# How to fix a domain suspended by serverHold or clientHold

**Author:** Anders Morley-Hagström

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`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:

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)

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