This article addresses domain issues. If you do not find a solution here, try the guides DNS – Troubleshooting and Webhosting – Troubleshooting.
In this article you will learn:
- How to find the cause of a domain problem
- How to solve domain problems during:
- Frequently asked questions
Domain problem diagnostics
You can often recognize a non-functional domain by the browser error page indicating that the page is unavailable. Usually you will find a prompt to check the address (or internet connection) and the Try again button, or a similar one. Some browsers display the error code DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.
If the domain displays incorrect content, it is probably a DNS problem or a webhosting problem.
For system domain diagnostics, you can use the tool in the customer administration. The instructions can be found in the article Domains – Diagnostics.
Domain troubleshooting
Domain problems most often occur in the context of changes, i.e. during registration, transfer, expiration, and DNS changes. The registry may also restrict or completely stop the domain’s operation based on its own rules.
Domain registration
After registering a new domain, it takes some time (usually several tens of minutes to hours) before its DNS records propagate across the entire Internet. Therefore, an error saying the domain is unavailable is common immediately after registration and will resolve on its own. If the domain cannot be found even several hours after registration, make sure that the registration was completed successfully, i.e. that the domain has been paid for and is listed as active in the customer administration.
Generic domains may require the domain owner’s email verification after registration. This verification is carried out via a link sent in a message to the verified address. More information can be found in the article Domains gTLD – Domain owner email verification.
Domain transfer
Transferring a domain has no effect on its DNS by itself. If the domain stops working after transfer, the most common reason is that DNS services for that domain were turned off by the original registrar.
After a domain transfer, we recommend:
- If you do not have DNS servers for the domain provided elsewhere (for example by a hosting provider), change the DNS servers (NSSET) to WEDOS.
- Check the DNSSEC settings.
Generic domains may require the domain owner’s email verification after transfer. This verification is carried out via a link sent in a message to the verified address. More information can be found in the article Domains gTLD – Domain owner email verification.
Domain expiration
The most common cause of domain problems is expiration. Expired domains are sooner or later disconnected from DNS by the registry and thus become non-functional. The exact time when this disconnection occurs depends on the domain extension and can be found in the following domain expiration table:
| Domain | DNS functional | DNS disconnected | Preparing for deletion*** | Deletion in progress | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ | Day 1 to 30 | Day 31 to 60 | – | – | Day 61* |
| SK | – | Day 1 to 40 | – | – | Day 41 |
| EU | – | Day 1 to 40 | – | – | Day 41 |
| PL | – | Day 1 to 30 | – | – | Day 31 |
| gTLD, nTLD** | Day 1 to 8 | Day 9 to 29 | Day 30 to 60 (deleted from administration) | Day 61 to 65 | Day 66 |
| Subreg domains | – | Day 1 to 7 | Day 8 to 37 (deleted from administration) | Day 38 to 42 | Day 43 |
** gTLD: generic domains COM, NET, ORG, INFO, BIZ; nTLD: new generic domains, e.g. NAME, ONLINE, WEBSITE…
*** During this period, the registry charges a renewal surcharge in addition to the standard renewal fee.
If you renew the domain by paying the payment request at a time when DNS is disconnected, but the domain is not in a later phase (preparing for deletion, deletion in progress, released), it behaves as a newly registered domain – propagation of DNS records again takes several tens of minutes to hours, but the problems will disappear on their own during this time.
If you do not have the payment request available, change the domain billing details (video guide). The system will immediately issue and send a new invoice.
If you do not see the domain in your customer account, move it according to the guide Domains – Transfer between accounts using the authorization password.
DNS changes
The most common DNS-related causes of problems are:
- DNS servers. Make sure you know which DNS servers the domain uses. If a change has occurred within the last 48 hours, for example due to a registrar or registry reconfiguration (DNS servers shut down due to expiration or for another reason), bear in mind that the change may not yet have propagated correctly across the entire internet. If the issues persist for more than 48 hours, check the status of the domain itself, or ask support via the form ⧉ to re-propagate the DNS servers. Include the domain name in your request.
Always set the domain’s DNS servers to a single provider. If you want to use a DNS provider other than WEDOS, remove all ns.wedos.net, ns.wedos.cz, ns.wedos.eu, and ns.wedos.com servers from the list.
- DNSSEC. Domain changes may negatively affect security using DNSSEC technology. If the domain uses this security, try turning it off according to the guide Domains – DNSSEC. After resolving the issue and completing other domain actions, you can turn DNSSEC back on.
- DNS records. Problems with DNS records, such as incorrect website or email routing, are handled in the guide DNS – Troubleshooting.
Registry traffic restrictions
In some cases, the registry itself may shut down (block) the domain. This typically happens for the following reasons:
- Violation of the registry’s domain terms. The most common breach of the registry terms is providing false personal details, for example in order to hide the owner’s identity. If this is your case, correct the details of the corresponding domain contact, contact the registry’s support, and ask for an inspection and restoration of the domain’s operation.
- Court decision or decision of another competent authority. Domain operation may be suspended, for example due to copyright infringement or other laws.
If a domain’s operation is blocked or suspended by a decision of the registry, court, or other authorized authority, the WEDOS registrar cannot intervene in or affect the matter. However, it is obliged to provide necessary cooperation, e.g. by passing on information or documents, in accordance with the requirements of the registry or the relevant authorities.
Frequently asked questions
How can I save a domain in the Preparing for deletion stage?
Generic domains (gTLD and nTLD) go through this phase and can be restored. However, in addition to the domain renewal fee, the registry also requires a special restore fee. You can find its amount in the price list of additional domain services.
What if nothing in the guide helped?
If you have not found a solution here, try the guides DNS – Troubleshooting and Webhosting – Troubleshooting.