What Registrar lock means
Registrar lock (also called transfer lock) prevents unauthorized transfers, a common step in domain hijacking. It is usually free and takes seconds to enable. Valuable domains can also use stronger registry-level locks.
Why it matters for your website
Your domain is the address for your website and email, and losing it can take your whole business offline. Registrar lock makes it much harder for someone to transfer it away without your approval. It's a free or low-effort setting that protects one of your most valuable online assets.
Example
A scammer gets into an old email account linked to a restaurant's domain and tries to transfer the domain. The transfer fails because registrar lock is turned on.
Tips
- Turn on registrar lock for every domain you own.
- Protect your registrar account with MFA and a unique password.
- Keep the registrar contact email current so you get transfer and renewal notices.
Common mistakes
- Removing the lock for a transfer and forgetting to turn it back on if plans change.
- Letting a former employee or vendor own the registrar account for your domain.
Questions about Registrar lock
What is Registrar lock?
A setting at your domain registrar that blocks the domain from being transferred or changed without extra steps.
How do I check if my domain is locked?
Log in to your registrar's dashboard and look for a domain lock or transfer lock setting. A WHOIS lookup may also show a status like clientTransferProhibited.
What is the difference between registrar lock and registry lock?
Registrar lock is a setting you control at your registrar. Registry lock is a stronger, often paid service that requires manual verification with the domain registry before changes.
