Understanding the ServerHold Status in .IN and .CO.IN Domains: Causes, WHOIS Behavior & How to Resolve

When managing a domain name, especially under the .IN or .CO.IN extension, encountering the ServerHold status can be concerning. This article explains what ServerHold means, why it appears in WHOIS, and how to resolve it effectively to restore your domain's functionality.

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What is the ServerHold Status

ServerHold is a status code used by the domain registry (in this case, INRegistry/NIXI) to suspend a domain name from the DNS. When a domain is on ServerHold, it is:

• Still registered to the domain owner,

• NOT resolving on the internet (website and email will not work),

• Typically hidden from global DNS (not published in root zone files).

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How Does It Appear in WHOIS

When you perform a WHOIS lookup for a .IN or .CO.IN domain on ServerHold, you'll typically see:

Domain Status: serverHold https://icann.org/epp#serverHold

Additionally, the DNS records (Name Servers) may be removed or ignored during this state.

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Common Reasons for ServerHold in .IN Domains

1. KYC / e-KYC Non-Compliance

   • Failure to submit valid documents (PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, etc.) within the 7-day timeframe mandated by NIXI.

   • Foreign registrants failing to provide a declaration of business/personal connection to India.

2. False WHOIS Information

   • Mismatched or incorrect Registrant Name, Email ID, or Address.

   • Invalid or non-verifiable contact details.

3. Abuse Reports

   • Phishing, malware, or fraudulent activity associated with the domain.

4. Non-Responsive to Registry Notices

   • Ignoring registry emails requesting information, verification, or clarification.

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Impact of ServerHold on Your Domain

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How Long Does it Take to Lift ServerHold

Once valid documents are submitted:

• Typically lifted within 1 to 2 business days.

• Delays may occur if submitted documents are not clear or don't match WHOIS.

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Sample Use Cases

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How to Avoid ServerHold in Future

• Always complete e-KYC within 7 days of domain registration.

• Keep WHOIS information up to date and accurate.

• Respond to any verification emails promptly.

• Use a trusted registrar like Domain India for timely guidance and compliance support.

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Need Assistance

If your domain is under ServerHold, contact our support team immediately. We will guide you through the compliance process and help reinstate your domain's functionality.

Submit a Support Ticket

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Related Articles

• .IN Domain KYC Guide: Stay Compliant & Avoid Suspension

Registrar hold or registry hold? They need different things from you

Added August 2026. This is the distinction that most often sends people down the wrong path.

A .IN domain can be stopped by two different holds. They look identical from the outside — the website and email simply stop working — but what clears them is not the same. Doing the wrong one means waiting for something that will never happen.

Hold	Who applied it	What clears it	Who acts
Registrar hold clientHold	Us, as your registrar	Completing eKYC — nothing else. No documents need to be sent to anyone.	We release it ourselves, automatically, as soon as verification succeeds.
Registry hold serverHold	The registry (NIXI)	eKYC and a copy of your Aadhaar sent to us, which we submit to the registry on your behalf.	Only the registry can lift it, once the evidence is filed.

How to tell which one you have

• A new domain that has never worked is almost always a registrar hold. Complete eKYC in your client area and it will start working on its own.
• A domain that worked before and has now stopped, where eKYC is already complete, is almost always a registry hold. Send us your Aadhaar through a support ticket and we will file it.
• If you are not sure, raise a ticket with your domain name and we will tell you which it is. You do not need to work it out yourself.

One thing worth knowing: we cannot lift a registry hold by request, however urgent the situation. It is not a matter of authorisation — the registry controls that status and releases it only when the evidence has been submitted and accepted. What we can do is file it for you the same day we receive it.

Before you start verification — check the name matches

The name on your identity document must match the registrant name on the domain. If they differ at all — a missing middle name, a different spelling, initials rather than a full name — the check fails silently and the hold stays in place, usually with nothing to tell you why. Correct the registrant name first, then verify.

If you are outside India

The online verification is built around Indian identity documents and will not work from abroad. Your route is a signed declaration of your connection with India plus a copy of your passport, sent to [email protected], which we file with the registry for you. It is normally verified within one to three business days.

Please check Who Can Register a .IN Domain before purchasing — a .IN domain does require a genuine connection with India.