One warning if you want to use 1&1 for domain names: it takes forever to make any simple changes that every other registrar is able to make right away.
Let’s say you buy a domain name and then want to point it to your DNS servers. Simple enough, right? But with 1and1, it’ll say “updating” for about 8 hours, throughout which they’ll keep reporting their DNS servers as the authoritative ones. After about 8 hours, the status will change to “domain update done.”
But that’s a lie. I don’t know why it says that, because it’s not done at all. They still report their servers as authoritative (this is at the WHOIS level querying their server, don’t think I’m just checking my local ISP and that I don’t understand DNS TTL.) And the DNS button is greyed out if I select the domain that’s now supposed to be done updating, so I can’t make any changes to it.
Oddly enough, “domain update done” isn’t a status message that they explain. There’s a helpful question mark next to “status,” but that only gives you the following options:
- Ready – This domain’s settings can be changed by clicking on the available options in the toolbar.
- Update – This domain is currently undergoing an update. Please wait until the domain is ready before changing any settings.
- DNS settings incomplete with registrar – This domain cannot be configured until the DNS settings are complete.
- Waiting for approval – This domain is currently unavailable for configuration. Transfers usually take up to ten days once all the proper forms are received.
- Domain setup error – Please review the settings and correct any errors. You can also reset the domain by selecting it and then clicking on DNS in the toolbar. On the next page click on Reset.
- Other – If the status is not explained here, visit our FAQs for more information
Ok, so you can click through to the FAQs for explanations of other status results. But after much FAQ browsing, I don’t see anything about “domain update done.” They do have a question about being unable to change the DNS settings, but those all talk about errors with the setup. Some Google searching indicates that the message I’m getting just means they’re still working on making a simple DNS server change, and the right answer is to keep waiting, maybe up to 24 hours before they make their change. And then of course you have the DNS propagation delays while you wait for caches to expire all over the net. Good thing this is a new unused domain which shouldn’t have any caching issues (I’ve been careful not to lookup the name at my ISP until 1&1 gets the right info in there.)
Some day I’ll have to post about my scam experience with 1and1, from back when they were charging less for domain names than it cost them to get them, and they sent my account to a collection agency saying I hadn’t payed for a $6 renewal, even though they had my correct credit card information saved in their billing system. Nobody there was ever able to explain why I had to pay all kinds of outrageous fees to reactivate my account for non-payment, when they had all my billing information right there if they only wanted to use it (which they were supposed to do.)
Oops, I guess I just posted my 1&1 scam experience. There you go. My theory is that their attempt to use cheap domains as a loss leader for their expensive supplemental products (like hosting and crap) wasn’t working out, so they needed to pull billing scams like that one to make a profit on domain names. They increased their prices shortly afterwards.
1and1 is crap. i am currently waiting for a simple nameserver change. 72 hours and ticking……..
cheap hosting is not always good hosting. what a surprise!
Thanks for this. I thought I was going mad trying to pry my client’s domain name and DNS away from this awful Web hosting company.
hey you know i foound this where you can get hosting for free.
before everyone thinks i’m advertising and it’s some scam or something,
it really is free.
a few catches,it might be slower than most host and you’re only allowed 100megs of space.
I am going through tthe same experience. Been almost 24 hours with the status at “Domain Update Done” I called them and they told me that I should wait till it says “Ready” to make any changes. They are so slow. With my other domain registrars, as soon as I make a change, I can see changes within an hour.
what a mistake trying to save 2 dollars on a domain name, im in the same boat waiting and waiting for them to set a glue record. lesson learned. even tho go daddys a little more money, and private registration isnt free, atleast you know any changes you make to it will be done with in a reasonable amount of time.
Add me to the list of dissatisfied 1and1 customers. I used to have a dedicated server with 1and1, but it was too expensive so I moved my server elsewhere and kept the domains at 1and1, not realising that unless you have a server with them, they restrict your subdomains to 5, and won’t let you do wildcards. I am moving my DNS elsewhere, but in a similar position to those above. Waiting… waiting… ARGHH!
Ugh, it’s so great that I can search “Domain Update Done.” in Google to find this page. 1and1 sucks, I was looking for one of their FAQs which they wrote I’d find like the author explained above. Instead I find this page. Funny how things work out.
It makes sense in some sick way, thinking of all the people who don’t understand DNS that well. I’m sure much of them give up and buy 1and1 hosting to avoid the transfer.
They have cheap domains so they can sell people on other packages they offer. They have crap DNS timing because their most-likely losing money on their Domain deals. They charged me 7 bucks, I remember when they used to charge 3.. It doesn’t make sense their still trying to get the return with slow DNS…. Damn Corporate Scoundrels… I avoided 2 dollars for this?