A domain transfer usually gets stuck because the lock is still on, the code is wrong or an approval email went unanswered. Less often, a 60-day restriction applies, the old registrar is using its five-day window, the domain has expired, or a .au name has an eligibility problem. Each has a simple fix. Your website and email keep working while a transfer is pending, as long as you don’t touch the DNS.
Key takeaways
- A pending transfer doesn’t take your site down.
- Most stuck transfers come down to a lock, a wrong code or an approval email sent to an old address.
- For .com and other global names, the old registrar has up to five days to respond before the move is approved by default.
- .au transfers usually take effect within three days of approval, and auDA charges no fee.
How long should a domain transfer take?
For a .au name, auDA says an approved transfer can take up to three days to take effect. For .com, .net and other global names, ICANN’s Transfer Policy gives the old registrar five calendar days to respond. If it doesn’t, the transfer is approved by default. So two or three days pending is normal. A week means it’s stuck.
If you haven’t started yet, our domain transfer checklist heads off most of the problems below.
What are the 7 common causes, and how do I fix each one?
1. The domain is still locked
Most registrars lock domains by default to stop theft. WHOIS shows this as clientTransferProhibited, and while it’s on, the transfer fails.
Fix: Log in to your current registrar and turn off the transfer lock (sometimes called “registrar lock” or “domain protection”). Switch off any paid protection add-on too, then restart the transfer.
2. The auth code is wrong or out of date
The auth code (EPP code or domain password) is unique to each domain. A stray space, a code for another domain or an outdated code will all be rejected.
Fix: Request a fresh code and paste it carefully. For .au names, auDA also lists the registry’s password recovery tool as a way to get the code without asking your registrar.
3. Nobody approved the confirmation email
The old registrar usually sends a confirmation email to the registrant contact. If that address belongs to a former staff member or your web designer, the email sits unread and the transfer stalls or is cancelled.
Fix: Look up the domain in WHOIS to see which contact is listed. Update the email at the old registrar, wait for the change to save, then start again.
4. A 60-day restriction applies
For global names, ICANN lets a registrar refuse a transfer within 60 days of the domain’s creation or a previous transfer. It also requires a 60-day lock after a change of registrant (a new owner name, organisation or email), unless you opted out beforehand, says ICANN’s guide for domain holders.
Fix: Check the creation and last-updated dates in WHOIS. If you’re inside the window, wait it out.
5. The old registrar hasn’t released it yet
Some registrars hold a transfer for the full five days. Others let you approve it early in your account or by replying to their email.
Fix: Look for an “approve” or “release” option in the old account. If you don’t find one, wait out the five days.
6. The domain has expired or there are unpaid fees
An expired domain doesn’t block a transfer by itself, but one in the redemption period must be restored by the current registrar first. That often costs a fee. A registrar may also refuse a transfer if a previous registration period was never paid.
Fix: Restore or renew with the old registrar, settle any balance, then transfer.
7. (.au only) Eligibility or a dispute is in the way
For .au names, you must still be eligible on the day, and the licence can’t be under a complaint, auDRP or court proceeding. A cancelled ABN will stop the move.
Fix: Check that the ABN or ACN in WHOIS is active and belongs to the registrant. If ownership itself needs to change, do a registrant transfer first. Our guide to how to transfer .com.au domain names covers the Australian rules in more depth.
Which cause is it? A quick diagnosis table
| What you see | Likely cause | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| “Domain is locked” or transfer rejected at once | Transfer lock | Turn the lock off at the old registrar |
| “Invalid auth code” | Wrong or old code | Request a new code |
| Pending, no emails received | Unread approval email | Check the registrant email in WHOIS |
| “Transfer not allowed within 60 days” | 60-day restriction | Check WHOIS dates, then wait |
| Pending for 2–5 days, global name | Old registrar’s window | Approve early, or wait |
| Transfer refused, .au name | Eligibility or dispute | Check the ABN or ACN on record |
What if the old registrar simply won’t cooperate?
For global names, a registrar must give you the code within five days, and it can’t refuse a transfer just because you haven’t paid its transfer fee. If you think a denial is wrong, you can lodge a transfer complaint with ICANN. For .au names, the registry’s password recovery tool gives you a way to get the code without the old registrar.
Will my website or email go down during the transfer?
Not on their own. A transfer changes who manages the domain, not where it points. Problems start when the old registrar hosted your DNS and it stops once the domain leaves. Copy every DNS record to the new host before the move completes. If you’re moving the website too, our free website migration handles that side for you.
When you’re ready to move, you can transfer your domain to WMS, or register your domain with WMS if you need a new name as well.
Still waiting on a code? Our explainer on domain auth codes (EPP codes) shows where to find one, and our guide to moving a domain away from GoDaddy and other registrars covers the steps at the losing end.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a pending domain transfer?
Often, yes. Many registrars let you cancel from your account or by declining the confirmation email while the transfer is pending.
Why did my transfer fail with no reason given?
The most common silent failures are an unanswered approval email and a transfer lock that was switched back on. Confirm the lock is off and start again with a fresh code.
Do I lose the time left on my domain when I transfer?
For .au names, full years remaining carry over, up to five years, and part years are dropped. For .com and most global names, a transfer normally adds a year to the existing expiry date.
Is it safe to update my contact email right before a transfer?
For global names, changing the registrant email can trigger a 60-day transfer lock unless you opt out, so make the change well ahead or choose the opt-out if your registrar offers it. For .au names, updating the email is often the only way to receive the code.
Sources
- Transferring a .au domain name to another registrar, auDA
- Transfer Policy, ICANN, updated February 2024
- FAQs for registrants: transferring your domain name, ICANN
- .au domain password recovery, .au Registry (Identity Digital)