How to solve common domain transfer problems

Transferring a domain name should be a straightforward task, but as many domain resellers, agencies, and IT service providers know, it rarely is. 

At Openprovider, we support a wide variety of domain professionals who face domain transfer problems daily. From small agencies working on tight deadlines to enterprise resellers handling bulk domain migrations, we’ve clustered the most common challenges and built solutions around them to help domain resellers offer exceptional services.

In this article, we’ll break down the most common domain transfer issues, explain why they happen, and provide actionable steps to resolve them quickly and efficiently.

Common domain transfer errors and how to fix them

Let’s dive into the top domain transfer issues that resellers and agencies face, along with clear troubleshooting steps you can take in the openprovider platform.

Domain is locked (clientTransferProhibited/ serverTransferProhibited)

A locked domain is a security measure put in place by domain registrars to prevent unauthorized transfers.

What’s happening

The domain you’re trying to transfer is locked at the current registrar, preventing any transfer requests.

Why it happens

Registrars use domain locks to prevent unauthorized transfers. By default, most domains are locked unless the owner manually unlocks them.

How to fix it

• Log in to the current registrar’s dashboard and check the domain’s status.
• Remove the transfer lock setting.
• If prompted, confirm your identity to authorize the status change
• Wait a few minutes for the change to propagate before retrying the transfer.
  

Pro tip for resellers:
If your end customers’ domain is locked, you can turn off the domain lock by accessing the Control Panel and confirming your identity

Invalid or missing authorization (EPP) code

Every domain transfer needs a valid EPP code (an authorization code issued by your registrar, think of it as the domain’s password for transfers).

What’s happening

The transfer fails because the authorization (EPP) code is incorrect or missing.

Why it happens

Every domain transfer requires a valid EPP or authorization code. If the wrong code is used (or if no code is provided) the registry will reject the transfer.

How to fix it

• Find your transfer code in the RCP platform, under the Domains Overview section 
• Double-check the code before submitting the transfer request in the control panel.
• If the code fails repeatedly, contact us to confirm the code’s validity.
  

Pro tip for API users:
Ensure your API integration validates EPP code formats before submitting requests.

Domain too new or recently updated (60-day ICANN lock)

ICANN enforces a 60-day lock after new registrations or contact updates to protect domain owners from hijacking.

What’s happening

You’re trying to transfer a domain that’s either newly registered or recently updated, triggering ICANN’s mandatory 60-day transfer lock.

Why it happens

ICANN policy prevents domain transfers within 60 days of registration or ownership contact changes to prevent fraud and hijacking.

How to fix it

• Check the domain’s creation and last update date in WHOIS.
• Wait until the 60-day period has passed before reattempting the transfer.
• If you believe the lock was applied in error, contact our tech support.

Transfer issues for quarantined domains

Expired or quarantined domains can’t be transferred until renewed or restored.

-We manage this resolution process directly via our customer support.

What’s happening

The domain has expired or entered the redemption period (quarantine), preventing a transfer.

Why it happens

Domains must be active to transfer. Once a domain expires, most registrars restrict transfer activity.

How to fix it

• Contact us at support@openprovider.com to initiate an explicit request for domain restore
• Provide the related identification documents and confirm the process completion with us (usually within one business day)
• If the domain is already in redemption, recovery will likely incur additional fees and must happen at the losing registrar.

Important:
Once a domain enters redemption, transferring it isn’t possible until it’s restored.

Mismatched or private WHOIS contact info

Domain contact details act as identity proof during transfers: mismatches or hidden data cause failures.

What’s happening

The transfer request gets rejected because the domain owner’s contact details are either outdated, incorrect, or hidden by WHOIS privacy.

Why it happens

ICANN requires that domain contact details match the information submitted during the transfer authorization process.

How to fix it

• Temporarily disable WHOIS privacy if enabled.
• Ensure the admin contact email address is valid and monitored (this is where transfer authorization emails are sent).

Tip:

For more info on updating reseller information in WHOIS, consult our dedicated guide

DNS or Nameserver errors post-transfer

If DNS settings aren’t preserved during transfer, websites and email can go down.

What’s happening

After a successful transfer, the website or email services linked to the domain stop working.

Why it happens

Nameserver settings may not automatically transfer with the domain, especially if the losing registrar deletes DNS records upon release.

How to fix it:

• Before initiating the transfer, record the current DNS and nameserver settings.
• After the transfer, update the DNS settings under the domain management section of the RCP.
• Test website and email functionality post-transfer.

Good to know
Cross-check the possible transfer errors listed here for similar scenarios

Transfer rejected by the losing registrar

Losing registrars can block transfers for unpaid invoices, fraud holds, or policy reasons.

What’s happening

The losing registrar actively rejects the transfer request.

Why it happens

Common reasons include pending payments, fraud holds, bulk transfer protection, or registrar-specific policies.

How to fix it

• Contact the losing registrar for the specific reason behind the rejection.
• Resolve any outstanding issues (like unpaid invoices or ownership verification).
• Resubmit the transfer request in Openprovider once the block is lifted.

Extra tip:
Consult also this guide for domain transfer charges without domain renewal.

Step-by-step troubleshooting guide with Openprovider Reseller Control Panel

No matter the domain transfer issue you’re facing, Openprovider gives you the tools to diagnose and resolve the problem efficiently, whether you work in the Reseller Control Panel (RCP) or via API.

Below is a clear, step-by-step guide for tackling some of the key domain transfer issues listed above directly inside the Openprovider platform.

1. Check domain status and unlock a domain

Where to go in RCP

Navigate to Domains Overview → Search domain. Enter the domain name.

What to look for:
Check the domain status section for clientTransferProhibited or serverTransferProhibited.

Steps:

• If locked, the domain holder needs to log in to their current registrar to unlock the domain.
• Openprovider doesn’t control this setting on incoming domains, but you can verify the status here.

Access our guide on clientTransferProhibited for a thorough breakdown.

2. Submitting a transfer with the correct EPP code

Where to go in RCP

Domains overview → Search domain. Enter the domain name.

Steps:

• Go to the domain details and find the authorization code
• Enter the domain name and EPP code when prompted.

Access our guide on finding and resetting your transfer code for a thorough breakdown.

3. Checking for 60-day ICANN transfer lock

Where to go in RCP

• In RCP, use the WHOIS Lookup tool inside the Domains section.
• Look at the domain’s creation date and last updated date.

Steps:

• If the domain was registered or updated in the last 60 days, the transfer will fail.
• Let your customer know they’ll need to wait until the lock period ends.

More info in this on transfer lock after registration in this support page.

4. Avoiding DNS downtime post-transfer

Where to go in RCP (after transfer completes):

Domains → DNS Management or Domains → Nameserver Management

Steps:

• Reapply DNS settings if necessary.
• Check and update nameserver records.
• Use the Openprovider API for bulk DNS updates if managing high volumes.

Check out how to update nameservers settings following this guide

Additional API troubleshooting tools for larger resellers

If you’re using Openprovider’s API for bulk domain transfers, we recommend:

• Using the Domain API services to verify domain status before initiating transfers.
• Handling API error responses with logging for faster debugging.

Reviewing our full API documentation for transfer-related endpoints:

Tips and tricks: prevent transfer problems

A smooth domain transfer starts well before you submit the request.

Here are five proactive steps to help prevent common transfer issues.

Check eligibility before initiating

Before starting any transfer, verify that the domain:

• Isn’t locked
• Hasn’t been registered or updated in the last 60 days (ICANN lock)
• Is in active status (not expired or in redemption)

Keep contact info updated

The domain owner’s WHOIS contact email must be valid and monitored. This is where critical transfer authorization emails will arrive. Encourage your clients to double-check and update their contact details before initiating a transfer.

Maintain domain validity

Domains must be active to transfer. Always renew domains before they expire if you’re planning a move. If a domain is already in redemption, resolve it at the losing registrar first.

Authenticate your admin contact

For most TLDs, the admin contact plays a critical role in transfer approval. Make sure your client knows to check their email (including spam folders) for the transfer approval request.

Keep DNS/email records on transfer

A transfer doesn’t automatically migrate DNS records or email settings.

Before transferring, back up all DNS configurations. Once the transfer completes, quickly reapply those settings via openprovider’s DNS management tools or API.

Make domain transfers stress-free with Openprovider

Domain transfer problems can create delays, confusion, and extra work for both resellers and their clients.

To manage portfolios at scale, avoiding slow, manual domain transfers is a no-brainer: consolidate now your domains with automated domain bulk transfers.

Have a question?

Explore our FAQs below for quick answers to the most common transfer-related questions.

FAQs