How to Troubleshoot Common Domain Transfer Issues

Have you initiated a domain transfer but you're getting that "transfer failed' notification? You may find yourself in a concerning situation but don't worry. Failed domain transfers are often due to a few common reasons and can be resolved, in most cases.

This article explains several reasons why your transfer request may be unsuccessful and what you can do to fix it (whether you're transferring your domain to us or away from your Bluehost account).

Here are the topics we will discuss in this article:

• What is a Domain Transfer and Why You May Want To Do It?
• Transferring a Domain Name
• Troubleshooting Common Domain Transfer Issues
• ICANN Policies
• Summary

What is a Domain Transfer and Why You May Want To Do It?

A domain transfer refers to moving a domain name from one registrar to another, such as from GoDaddy to Bluehost. There are several reasons you might choose to do this. You may want to consolidate all your domains under a single registrar, obtain better pricing, take advantage of additional features offered by the new registrar, or simplify management by having both your domain and hosting in one account.

Transferring a Domain Name

To transfer a domain name to your Bluehost account, you need to follow several steps. This involves initiating the domain transfer and submitting your EPP code. Visit the How to Transfer A Domain Name To Us article for detailed instructions.

If you're looking into transferring your domain from your Bluehost account to another registrar, you will need to prepare your domain, get your EPP code, initiate the domain transfer, and then approve the transfer request. You can find more information on this process in the article How To Transfer a Domain Name To A New Registrar.

Troubleshooting Common Domain Transfer Issues

Here are some common roadblocks to why your domain transfer request fails and how to handle them.

• The domain is already in our system: Our system prevents you from initiating a registration transfer for domains assigned to another Bluehost account.
  
  Solution: If you want to transfer a domain between Bluehost accounts, you need to "move" the domain instead. While this process differs from transferring domain registration from one registrar to another, you can still complete it through your Account Manager. Check out the How to Transfer a Domain from One Account to Another article for more information.
   
• Incorrect registrant contact information: During the transfer process, registrars need to communicate with the Registrant associated with the domain, especially when sending the EPP code and validation emails. If the domain contact info is incorrect or outdated, it may cause delays or, eventually, failure.
  
  Solution: Make sure your contact details with your registrar are up-to-date and that you can receive emails to your Registrant's contact email address.
   
• Authorization code/EPP code issues: The Authorization code/key or EPP code is a unique code required for every domain transfer request.
  
  Solution: For incorrect or invalid EPP codes, you may do the following troubleshooting steps.
  • Double-check the code you entered. A minor typo will cause the domain transfer to fail. Make sure to remove extra spaces.
  • Request a new EPP code from your registrar. This is especially true for expired EPP codes. If you have access to your domain management panel, generate a new EPP code. Make sure you're requesting the EPP code for the correct domain name.
  • If you haven't received your EPP code from your registrar yet, you may want to check your domain's registrant email address. Check your Spam or Junk folders. You may also want to check your email filter settings.
     
• The domain has become locked: There are many possible events that can cause an unlocked domain to become locked again during the transfer process. These events include but are not limited to the domain expiring during the transfer, the domain entering the redemption period, or a Change of Registrant (COR) lock was placed on the domain, etc. Visit the The Different Types of Domain Locks article to learn more about domain locks.
  
  Solution: If you have access to your domain management panel, disable your domain lock again. If it's still locked, contact your domain registrar to restart the transfer.
   
• The domain has gone into redemption: Once a domain expires and enters the redemption period, it may no longer be eligible for transfer.
  
  Solution: The domain must be renewed before restarting the transfer process. Although it is technically possible to transfer an expired domain, this still often fails due to issues, such as the domain being locked or having outdated contact information, etc.
   
• A 60-day transfer lock was placed on the domain: There are many possible reasons why a 60-day transfer lock is placed on a domain. The domain could be recently registered or recently transferred. It is also possible that there are changes to the registrant's first name, last name, organization name, or email address.
  
  Solution: Check when the domain was registered or last transferred. If it's still within the 60-day range, you will likely need to wait until the 60-day transfer lock period expires. You may also want to avoid changing your registrant information if you're transferring your domain soon, as this will place your domain in a 60-day transfer lock as per ICANN policy.
  
  Check out the The Different Types of Domain Locks article to learn more about domain locks.
   
• Payment issues: If the payment for your domain transfer fees did not push through with your "gaining registrar," this can prevent the domain transfer from proceeding.
  
  Solution: You may want to verify with the gaining registrar what the issue could be. Check if your payment method has sufficient funds and if the billing information is correct.
   
• Issues with the gaining registrar: Your "new" registrar may encounter technical errors on their end, preventing your transfer from being initiated or completed.
  
  Solution: Contact your new registrar to report the issue and get assistance.
   
• The domain validation email was unsuccessful. If you do not follow the instructions provided in the email, the transfer will not succeed. This may occur if you did not receive the email.
  
  Solution: Make sure your registrant contact information is up-to-date and that you can receive emails at all your contact addresses. After verifying this, contact your current registrar and request to restart the domain transfer. Always check your emails. Once the validation email arrives, approve the transfer right away.

ICANN Policies

According to ICANN policy, there are several reasons why a registrar is permitted to deny a domain transfer.
 

60-Day Waiting Period

Per ICANN, a domain transfer cannot be initiated for domains registered within the last 60 days or within 60 days of a previous transfer. Unfortunately, we're unable to bypass this regulation, so you'll need to wait to initiate the transfer until the 60 days have passed.

60-Day Transfer Lock Period

After the prior registrant saves the new contact information, the domain would enter a 60-day transfer lock period following a successful Change of Registrant. Unfortunately, we're unable to bypass this regulation, so you'll need to wait to initiate the transfer until the 60 days have passed.

Before saving the updated registrant contact information for a domain, please note that domains cannot be transferred within 60 days of being registered, renewed, or transferred.

Redemption

You can transfer an expired domain, but the status changes and transfers are prohibited once a domain enters the redemption period. In addition, the domain registration needs to be renewed and restored out of redemption before the transfer is approved. Refer to Domain Redemption for more information.

Chargeback

When we receive notification of a fraudulent charge made on an account hosted with us, the hosting account, including any registered domains, is immediately deactivated until the issue is resolved to prevent further abuse. In addition, the registrar changes the status of any domain registrations on that account to "Registrar Hold," causing any and all transfer requests to fail.

If your account is deactivated due to a chargeback, please contact our Account Assessment Team for further information. You'll be able to transfer the domain once you resolve the chargeback.

Other Reasons

The other possible reasons ICANN policy says a registrar can deny a transfer include:

• Evidence of fraud.
• UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution) action.
• Court order by a court of competent jurisdiction.
• Reasonable dispute over the identity of the Registered Name Holder or Registrant.
• Express objection to the transfer by the authorized Transfer Contact. Objection can be a specific request to deny a particular transfer request or a general request to block all transfers, either temporarily or indefinitely. The objection must come from the authorized Transfer Contact and require their informed consent. If requested, the Registrar must remove the lock or allow a reasonably accessible method for the Transfer Contact to remove the lock within 5 days.

You're not required to transfer your domain's registration to us in order to host your website here. Instead, just assign the domain to your account and point your name servers to:

• Primary Server Hostname: ns1.bluehost.com
• Secondary Server Hostname: ns2.bluehost.com

Summary

Learn why your domain transfer might be failing. This article outlines frequent roadblocks during the domain transfer process, such as domains already in the system, missing EPP codes, invalid contact information, and locked domains. It also explains ICANN policies, including waiting and lock periods, redemption, chargebacks, and other reasons for transfer denial. It offers solutions to get your transfer back on track.