Domain disappeared after re-opening my store

Shopify Discussion
1

I reopened my store and my domain is for some reason gone, system is saying that it is taken, I can’t connect it. The domain was purchased through shopify and I bought it for a year (I am still owner of it). I contacted shopify support but they can’t give me a solution. What can I do? How can I get it back?

2

Hi @Jacobdss

Recovering a domain that is marked as “taken” despite your ownership can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to try and resolve the issue:

1. Verify Domain Ownership- Check Email: Look for any emails from Shopify or the domain registrar regarding your domain. These emails might contain crucial information about domain status or renewal.

  • Domain Manager: Log in to your Shopify admin panel and navigate to the “Domains” section to see if the domain is still listed there. Ensure it’s not expired or disconnected.

2. Contact Shopify Support Again- Request Escalation: Explain your situation in detail and request that your case be escalated to a higher level of support or a domain specialist.

  • Provide Proof: Gather any proof of purchase or ownership (emails, invoices, transaction records) to support your claim.

3. Check WHOIS Database- WHOIS Lookup: Use a WHOIS lookup tool to check the current status of your domain. This will show you who the current registrar is, the registration status, and the expiration date.

  • You can use sites like WHOIS.net or ICANN WHOIS.

4. Contact the Registrar Directly- Registrar Support: If the WHOIS lookup shows a different registrar, contact that registrar’s support team directly with your ownership proof to resolve the issue.

5. Domain Recovery Services- Recovery Services: Consider using a domain recovery service if the domain was mistakenly released or acquired by someone else. These services can help negotiate the retrieval of your domain.

6. Legal Actions- Legal Advice: If all else fails, you may need to seek legal advice to explore potential actions for reclaiming your domain.

7. Temporary Workarounds- New Domain: As a temporary solution, consider purchasing a new domain and redirecting your old domain traffic (if it still receives traffic) to the new one once you regain access.

Summary Checklist:1. Verify domain ownership and renewal status.

  1. Request escalation from Shopify support.
  2. Check WHOIS database for current domain status.
  3. Contact the current registrar if different.
  4. Consider domain recovery services if needed.
  5. Seek legal advice for potential reclaim actions.
  6. Use a temporary domain or subdomain as a workaround.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify the issue with your domain and take the necessary actions to recover it.

3

Hello, I already tried most of the methods. The domain is on Tucows Domains which should be hosting company for shopify domains, I see that there was action on that domain today, so maybe the shopify support worked and they are actually trying to do something about it.