Most Common Domain Errors

Seeing an error on your domain is frustrating. This comprehensive guide will give you the tools and steps to solve the most common issues, from SSL errors to browser warnings.

Your Digital Troubleshooting Toolkit

These free websites are essential for diagnosing any domain problem. Bookmark them!

DNS Checker

Use it to see: "Has my domain updated around the world yet?" Perfect for checking propagation.
Visit DNS Checker

WHOIS Lookup

Use it to see: "Who owns this domain, is it active, and when does it expire?" It's the deed to your digital property.
Visit WHOIS

SSL Checker

Use it to see: "Is my security certificate (the padlock) installed correctly?" This confirms your site is secure.
Visit SSL Checker

Common Errors & How to Fix Them

⏳ Error: SSL Pending

What it means: "Your security certificate is being installed."

  • Common Cause: This is almost always normal. It can take up to 48 hours for your domain to be recognized across the internet and for the SSL to install.
  • The Fix: Patience is the best solution. Wait a few hours. If it's still pending after 48 hours, contact Shopify Support.

🚨 Error: SSL Failed / SSL Unavailable

What it means: "The security certificate could not be installed correctly."

  • Common Causes: For third-party domains, you may have an incorrect A record or a conflicting AAAA (IPv6) record that needs to be deleted. It can also be a temporary glitch.
  • The Fix:
    1. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings → Domains, click your domain, and try to "Renew Certificate."
    2. If that fails, check your DNS settings at your domain provider and ensure your A record is 23.227.38.65 and that any AAAA records are deleted.
    3. Wait an hour, then try renewing again. If it still fails, contact Shopify Support.

🛠️ Status: Setup Incomplete / Action Required

What it means: "Your domain isn't pointing to Shopify correctly." (This is for third-party domains like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)

  • Common Causes: The A record or the CNAME record in your domain provider's DNS settings are missing or incorrect.
  • The Fix: Log in to your domain provider, find the DNS settings, and ensure they match Shopify's requirements exactly: the A record must point to 23.227.38.65 and the 'www' CNAME record must point to shops.myshopify.com.

🔗 Error: A store with this domain already exists

What it means: "This domain is connected to another Shopify account somewhere."

  • Common Causes: An old trial store you forgot about, or a developer attached it to their account.
  • The Fix: Try to log into any old Shopify accounts to remove the domain. If you can't find it, contact Shopify Support to begin the process of proving ownership to get it released.

🛑 Browser Error: "Your connection is not private"

What it means: "Your browser sees your site, but the security certificate is not valid for the address you're using."

  • Common Causes: The SSL certificate is still pending, or you haven't set up a redirect from the non-www to the www version (or vice-versa) in your domain settings.
  • The Fix: First, wait. If it persists after a few hours, go to Settings → Domains in Shopify, click your domain, and ensure your primary domain is set correctly and redirects are enabled. You can also use the SSL Checker tool to diagnose the issue.

Important Domain Concepts & Issues

⚠️ Problem: My Emails Aren't Arriving!

If you set up email forwarding but aren't receiving emails, it's almost always a DNS issue. If you use a third-party email host like Google Workspace, ensure your MX records are set up exactly as they require at your domain provider. Remove any old or conflicting MX records.

🔒 The 60-Day Domain Transfer Lock

When you register a new domain or change its contact info, industry rules lock it from being transferred to another provider for 60 days. This is a security feature. You can still use the domain on Shopify perfectly, you just can't move it away until the lock expires.

💸 My Domain is in the "Redemption Period"!

If you forget to renew your domain, it enters a "redemption period" for about 30 days where you can still buy it back, but often for a high fee. Always check your domain's expiry date on a WHOIS lookup and set a calendar reminder to renew it!

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