Home Domain & DNS Management Understanding Domain Suspension: What to Do When Your Domain Is Locked

Understanding Domain Suspension: What to Do When Your Domain Is Locked

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

Understanding Domain Suspension: What to Do When Your Domain Is Locked

Last updated: August 2025

A suspended domain means your website and related services (like email) are offline and inaccessible. Domain suspension can occur for several reasons, but the good news is that most issues can be resolved quickly from your Eco Web Hosting client area. This article explains how to check your domain’s status, common reasons for suspension, and clear steps to get your site back online.

What Is Domain Suspension?

Domain suspension occurs when your domain registrar (or hosting provider) temporarily disables your domain name. When suspended, your website, email, and any other services tied to the domain will stop working. Common reasons include:

  • Expired domain registration
  • Outstanding invoices or unpaid renewals
  • Invalid or outdated WHOIS contact information
  • Breach of registry or hosting terms (e.g. abuse reports, policy violations)

Step 1: Check Your Domain Status

Before troubleshooting, confirm if your domain is actually suspended:

  1. Visit your websiteIf you see a holding page, suspension notice, or errors like “Domain not found,” your domain may be suspended.

  2. Log in to your Eco Web Hosting client area

    • Go to https://my.ecowebhosting.co.uk
    • Navigate to Domains > My Domains
    • Find your domain in the list and check its current status (look for terms like “Suspended,” “Expired,” or “Active”)

  3. Perform a WHOIS lookupUse a WHOIS tool (e.g. whois.domaintools.com) to check for suspension messages or expiry information.Look for lines such as:

    Domain Status: clientHold
Domain Status: suspended

Step 2: Identify the Cause of Suspension

Common Reasons & Solutions

1. Expired Domain Registration

  • **Solution:**Renew your domain in the client area:
    • Go to Domains > My Domains
    • Click Manage next to the affected domain
    • Select Renew Now and complete payment

2. Unpaid Invoices

  • Solution:
    • Go to Billing > My Invoices in your client area
    • Settle any outstanding invoices related to your domain or hosting

3. Invalid WHOIS Contact Information

  • Solution:

    • Go to Domains > My Domains
    • Click Manage and then Contact Information
    • Update your name, email, address, and phone number as necessary
    • Save changes

    Tip: Always use a valid email address. Some registries send a verification link—make sure to check your inbox (and spam folder) for these emails and complete verification promptly.

4. Registry Policy or Abuse Issues

  • Solution:
    • Check your email for any notifications from Eco Web Hosting or the registry
    • Read the message carefully and follow the instructions provided
    • If you’re unsure, submit a support ticket through your client area with details

Step 3: Reactivate Your Domain

Once you’ve resolved the underlying issue:

  1. **Allow up to 24 hours for changes to take effect.**DNS changes and domain reactivation may require some propagation time.
  2. **Check your website and email services.**Your site should become accessible again when the suspension is lifted.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why is my site still down after renewal?

  • **DNS Propagation:**It can take up to 24 hours for DNS changes to fully propagate worldwide.
  • **Browser Cache:**Clear your browser cache or try a different device/network.

I updated my WHOIS info but didn’t receive a verification email.

  • Check spam/junk folders.
  • Verify email address spelling.
  • **Resend verification:**In your client area, try updating your WHOIS info again or use the “Resend Verification” option if available.

Can I access my website files while suspended?

  • Yes, you can usually access your hosting control panel (e.g. cPanel or File Manager) to back up your files or make updates, unless your hosting account is also suspended for non-payment.

Example: Updating WHOIS Contact Information

  1. Log in to your Eco Web Hosting client area
  2. Go to Domains > My Domains
  3. Click Manage beside your domain
  4. Select Contact Information
  5. Update fields as needed
  6. Click Save Changes

Best Practices to Avoid Suspension

  • Enable auto-renewal for your domains
  • Keep your billing info and WHOIS details up-to-date
  • Check your email regularly for notices from your registrar or Eco Web Hosting
  • Set calendar reminders for domain expiry dates

Still Need Help?

If you’ve followed the steps above and your domain is still suspended, please submit a support ticket via your client area. Include:

  • Your domain name
  • Steps you’ve already tried
  • Any error messages or notices received

Our support team is here to help you get your website back online as quickly as possible!