Knowledgebase

A registrar lock is a security feature applied to many domain extensions, including .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz. Its purpose is to help prevent unauthorised changes to your domain and to stop the domain being transferred to another registrar without the lock first being removed.

If you are preparing to transfer your domain away from Hosting Ireland, you may need to disable this lock before the transfer can proceed.

How can I check if my domain is locked?

You can check the current status of your domain using the ICANN Lookup service:

https://lookup.icann.org/en/lookup

Enter your domain name and review the Domain Status section.

If you see a status such as:

• clientTransferProhibited
• clientUpdateProhibited

This indicates that a registrar lock is currently active on the domain.

How to disable the Registrar Lock

To remove the registrar lock from a domain in your Hosting Ireland account:

1. Log in to your Hosting Ireland Client Area.
2. Go to My Domains > My Domains.
3. Find the domain you want to manage and click the spanner icon beside it.
4. From the Manage menu on the left, select Registrar Lock.
5. Review the current Registrar Lock Status.

Are you transferring the domain to another registrar?

If you are unlocking your domain because you intend to transfer it away from Hosting Ireland, removing the registrar lock is only one part of the process.

You will also need the domain's EPP code, sometimes referred to as an Authorisation Code or Auth Code. This code is provided to the new registrar to authorise the transfer.

Under the Manage section, use the Get EPP Code button.

Need help?

If you are unsure whether your domain needs to be unlocked, or you have difficulty changing the registrar lock status, please open a support ticket through your Hosting Ireland Client Area and a member of our team will be happy to assist.