Fix domain suspensions and verification issues

Fix domain suspensions and verification issues

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Last updated October 06, 2026 22:06

Potential reasons your domain is suspended and how you can fix the issue.

Your domain can be suspended for several reasons, but a common one is failing to verify your domain via email after registering it.

Watch a video

This two-minute video walks through using the domains dashboard to identify whether your domain is suspended, and if it is, how to unsuspend it via email verification.

If you're not getting an error message but your domain still isn't working, it may be a different issue:

Can someone take my suspended domain?

No, ownership of a suspended domain can only change if we receive official documentation to do so, like a court order or Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) decision.

Even if you never verify your domain, it follows the standard domain cycle. It’ll renew at the next renewal date, or it will expire if your payment method can’t be charged. It’s then deleted by its respective TLD registry.

Why was my domain suspended?

You didn’t verify your domain ownership via email

When you register a domain, we’ll email you to verify ownership. If you don't click the verification link within 15 days of registration, we’ll temporarily suspend your domain.

You didn’t receive your annual registration summary email

Some domain registrars send an annual email to the domain's registrant contact to confirm that all current contact information is correct. If the registrant's email address isn't active, and that email bounces back to the registrar, they may assume the email is no longer valid and suspend the domain.

Your domain was placed in a Hold status

Review the ICANN status section to figure out why your domain is on hold.

Unsuspend your domain

To unsuspend your domain, follow these steps. While many domains reconnect within 15 minutes, it can take up to 48 hours for your domain to direct to your site.

Step 1 - Check your email and spam folder

If your domain needs verification, you'll receive an email with a link. Click the link to unsuspend your domain. To check for this email and follow the instructions:

Check your inbox and spam folder for an email from customercare@squarespace.com or no-reply@squarespace.com with the subject line “[Action Required] Verify your Squarespace domain contact” or “Request for email address validation.” It may have gone to your spam folder.
If you find the email, open it and click the verification link. If this works, your domain is unsuspended, and you can skip the rest of this guide.
If the link in the domain verification email doesn’t work or leads to a 404 page, your email provider may be changing the URL when you try to open it. Try viewing your email inbox in another browser or a mobile app, then click the link. If this works, your domain is unsuspended, and you can skip the rest of this guide.

Note: If you register multiple Key-Systems domains with the same registrant email address, the verification email will only list the first domain registered. Verifying that email will confirm the registrant information for all domains using that same email address.

Step 2 - Double-check the domain's registrant contact email

If you're still having trouble verifying your domain, check that we have the correct email address listed as the domain registrant. This email address could be different from the email address you use to log into your site.

Open your domains dashboard.
Click the suspended domain.
Click Edit in the Registration information section.
Check that the email address listed is correct. If there are any errors, click it to edit.
Click Save.

Step 3 - Resend the verification email

After verifying the registrant’s email address, click Resend Verification Email. This sends a new verification email from customercare@squarespace.com or no-reply@squarespace.com. Click the link in the email to verify. Check your inbox and your spam folder.

Step 4 - Try another email address

If you're still having trouble verifying your domain, use a different email address:

Open your domains dashboard.
Click the suspended domain.
Click Edit in the Registration Information section.
Change the registrant's email address to one you can regularly access and click Save.
Click Resend Verification Email.
Click the link in the email when you receive it.

Check your domain’s status through ICANN

If your domain is still suspended, you can check your domain status codes (technically called EPP codes). They act like a status report for your domain registration, telling you if your domain is active, locked, or on hold.

How do I find my status code?

For generic, or gTLDs, navigate to ICANN’s registration data lookup tool. For country code, or ccTLDs, use your country's specific lookup tool.
Search for your domain.
On the results page, look for the Domain status section.

Hold statuses

If your domain has a status that includes “Hold,” your domain has been suspended. This means it can't connect to your website or email until the issue is resolved.

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Who set this: Your domain registrar (like Squarespace).
Why it happens: Usually due to an expired payment method, a legal dispute, or a missed verification email.
How to fix it: Contact us, or if you have a third-party domain, your registrar’s support team.
Who set this: The registry (the organization that manages the entire domain extension).
Why it happens: This is less common and usually points to more serious issues, like a policy violation or a security concern.
How to fix it: Contact us or, if you have a third-party domain, your registrar’s support team. We’ll likely need to contact the registry on your behalf to find out what happened and how to get you back online.

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Fix domain suspensions and verification issues