Domains - Troubleshooting

In this article you will read:

• How to find the cause of a domain problem
• How to resolve domain issues when:
  • registration
  • to re-register
  • expiration date
  • DNS changes
  • limitation of operation by the registry
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Diagnosing Domain Problems

You can often tell a broken domain by the browser error page that says the page is unavailable. Usually you will find a prompt to check the address (or internet connection) and a button Try againor similar. Some browsers print an error code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.

If the domain is displaying incorrect content, it is probably a DNS or web hosting problem.

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Troubleshooting Domain Problems

Domain problems occur most often in the context of changes, i.e. registration, re-registration, expiration and DNS changes. The domain registry may also restrict or stop the operation of a domain based on its own rules.

Domain registration

After registering a new domain, it takes a while (usually a few tens of minutes to hours) for its DNS to propagate across the Internet. Thus, an error where the browser reports an unavailable domain is common immediately after registration, and will resolve itself. If the domain is not traceable even a few hours after registration, make sure that the registration actually took place, i.e. that you have paid for the domain and it is listed as active in the customer administration.

Generic domains may require verification of the domain owner's email after registration. This verification is done via a link sent in a message to the address being verified. For more information, see gTLD Domains - Owner Email Verification.

Domain re-registration

The domain re-registration itself does not affect its DNS. If a domain stops working after it is re-registered, the most common reason is that the original registrar has turned off DNS services for the domain.

After domain re-registration we recommend:

• If you do not have additional DNS servers for the domain (for example, from your hosting provider), change the DNS servers (NSSET) to WEDOS.
• Check your DNSSEC settings.

Generic domains may require verification of the domain owner's email after re-registration. This verification is done via a link sent in a message to the address being verified. For more information, see gTLDs - Verifying the owner's email.

Domain Expiration

The most common cause of domain problems is expiration. Expired domains are sooner or later disconnected from the DNS by the registry and thus become dysfunctional. The specific time when this disconnection occurs depends on the domain endpoint and can be found in the following domain expiration table:

Domain	DNS functional	DNS disconnected	Preparing for deletion***	Lubrication in progress	Decommissioned
EN	1st to 30th day	31st to 60th day	-	-	Day 61*
EN	-	Day 1 to Day 40	-	-	41st day
EU	-	Day 1 to Day 40	-	-	41st day
EN	-	1st to 30th day	-	-	31st day
gTLD, nTLD**	1st to 8th day	9th to 29th day	Day 30 to 60 (deleted from administration)	Day 61 to 65	66th day
Subreg domains	-	1st to 7th day	Days 8 to 37 (deleted from administration)	Day 38 to 42	43rd day

If you renew the domain by paying the payment request at a time when the DNS is disconnected, but the domain is not at a later stage (preparing for deletion, in the process of deletion, scrapped), it behaves like a newly registered domain - it takes several tens of minutes to hours to re-provision the DNS, but the problems will disappear in this time.

DNS changes

The most common causes of DNS problems are:

• DNS servers. Make sure you know which DNS servers the domain is using. If there has been a change in the last 48 hours, for example due to a registrar or registry reconfiguration (shutting down DNS servers due to expiration or other reason), expect that the change may not have properly propagated across the Internet yet. If the problem persists for more than 48 hours, check the status of the domain itself, or ask support via the &boxbox form to re-provision the DNS servers. Please include the domain name in your request.

• DNSSEC. Domain changes can adversely affect the security of DNSSEC technologies. If your domain uses this security, try disabling it by following the Domains - DNSSEC instructions. After you have fixed the problem and completed other actions with the domain, you can turn DNSSEC back on.
• DNS records. Problems with DNS records, such as poor web or email routing, are addressed in the DNS Troubleshooting guide.

Restriction of operation by the registry

In some cases, the domain can be shut down (blocked) directly by the registry. Typically, this happens for the following reasons:

• Failure to comply with the terms of the domain registry. The most common violation of the terms of the registry is the provision of false personal information, for example to hide the identity of the owner. If this is the case, correct the details of the corresponding domain contact, contact the support of the registry in question and request a check and restoration of the domain.
• A decision of a court or other competent authority. The operation of the domain may be suspended for reasons such as copyright or other law violations.

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Frequently Asked Questions