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Published: 2026-07-09 | Updated: 2026-07-09
60-day transfer restrictionWhy Your Domain Transfer Is Pending, Failed, or Delayed

A domain transfer may be pending, failed, or delayed for several common reasons.
Please check whether your domain is unlocked, whether the EPP / AuthInfo code is correct, whether the transfer approval email was confirmed, and whether the domain is under a 60-day transfer restriction.

Most Common Reasons
Your domain transfer may be delayed or failed because:
  • The domain is still locked.
  • The EPP / AuthInfo code is wrong or expired.
  • The transfer approval email was not confirmed.
  • The domain was registered, transferred, or updated recently and is under a 60-day restriction.
  • The domain is expired or on hold.
  • The current registrar has not released the domain yet.
  • The domain extension has special transfer rules.

1. Check Whether the Domain Is Locked
If the domain status shows: clientTransferProhibited
it means the domain is locked and cannot be transferred.
Please log in to your current registrar account and turn off:
Domain Lock
Transfer Lock
Registrar Lock  
Transfer Protection
After unlocking, wait for the status to update, then submit the transfer again.
Please note: NiceNIC cannot unlock a domain that is still managed by another registrar.

2. Check the EPP / AuthInfo Code
Most domain transfers require an EPP code.
The code may also be called:
  • AuthInfo Code
  • Transfer Code
  • Authorization Code
  • EPP Key
If the code is wrong, old, copied with extra spaces, or regenerated after you submitted the transfer, the transfer may fail.
Please request a fresh EPP / AuthInfo code from your current registrar and enter it exactly as provided.

3. Check the Transfer Approval Email
Some transfers require email approval.
Please check the inbox and spam folder of:
  • Registrant email
  • Admin contact email
  • Account email at the current registrar
If the current registrar provides an approval link, please confirm it as soon as possible.
A pending transfer does not always mean something is wrong. It may simply be waiting for approval or release from the current registrar.

4. Check the 60-Day Transfer Restriction
Some domains cannot be transferred within 60 days after:
  • New registration
  • Previous transfer
  • Registrant ownership change
  • Certain contact information updates
If the domain is under a 60-day transfer restriction, please wait until the restriction ends before resubmitting the transfer.
Submitting the transfer again during the restriction period will usually fail again.

5. Check Whether the Domain Is Expired or on Hold
A domain may not transfer normally if it is:
  • Expired
  • In redemption
  • Pending delete
  • On clientHold
  • On serverHold
  • Under dispute
  • Under registry or registrar review
In this case, the issue must usually be resolved at the current registrar before the transfer can continue.

6. Check Whether Your TLD Has Special Rules
Some domain extensions, especially certain ccTLDs, do not follow the same transfer process as .COM or .NET.
They may require:
  • Special forms
  • Registry approval
  • Local contact information
  • Manual review
  • Different transfer timing
  • Different transfer code rules
If you are transferring many domains, please separate special TLDs from standard transfers.

7. Do Not Confuse DNS Issues With Transfer Issues
Domain transfer and DNS are different.
A transfer may still be pending while your website and email continue working normally.
A transfer may also be completed while DNS settings are incorrect.
If your website or email is not working, please check DNS records separately, including nameservers, A records, MX records, and TXT records.

What Should I Do Now?
Please follow this order:
  1. Check the transfer status in your NiceNIC account.
  2. Unlock the domain at the current registrar.
  3. Request a fresh EPP / AuthInfo code.
  4. Check and approve the transfer email if required.
  5. Confirm the domain is not under a 60-day restriction.
  6. Make sure the domain is not expired or on hold.
  7. Resubmit the transfer only after the problem is fixed.

What Should I Send to NiceNIC Support?
If your transfer still fails, please submit a ticket and include:
  • Domain name
  • Transfer order number, if available
  • Current registrar
  • Current transfer status or error message
  • Screenshot of the error
  • Domain lock status
  • When the EPP code was requested
  • Expiration date
  • Whether you received or approved the transfer email
This helps us check the issue faster.

FAQ
1. Why is my transfer still pending?
It may be waiting for approval, release from the current registrar, registry processing, or special TLD handling.
2. Why did my transfer fail?
Common reasons include domain lock, wrong EPP code, missed approval email, 60-day restriction, expiration, hold status, or special TLD rules.
3. Can NiceNIC approve the transfer at my old registrar?
No. If approval is required at the current registrar, the domain owner or authorized account holder must approve it there.
4. What does clientTransferProhibited mean?
It means the domain is locked and cannot be transferred until the lock is removed.
5. What should I do if the EPP code is rejected?
Please unlock the domain first, then request a fresh EPP / AuthInfo code from the current registrar and submit the transfer again.
6. Can an expired domain be transferred?
It depends on the domain extension and the domain lifecycle status. Some domains must be renewed or restored first.

Conclusion
Most transfer problems can be fixed by checking these four things first:
Unlock the domain.
Use a fresh EPP / AuthInfo code.
Approve the transfer email.
Check for 60-day restrictions or hold status.
After the issue is fixed, you can submit the transfer again at NiceNIC.
Need help? We're always here for you. Submit a Ticket
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