If you see "An issue was encountered while updating the domain lock status" on a .co.tz or other .tz domain, nothing is wrong with your domain. The .tz registry does not support the registrar lock.
Overview
A registrar lock is a setting that blocks a domain from being transferred to another registrar. Global domains such as .com support it. Tanzanian domains (.co.tz, .or.tz, .ac.tz, .go.tz and other .tz names) are managed by TZNIC, and the .tz registry does not offer this lock.
Why it happens
- The lock switch in the client area is a standard control that appears for every domain, but the .tz registry has nothing to switch on.
- SakuraHost cannot enable the lock on our side either, because the setting does not exist at the registry.
What it means
The error is expected and harmless. Your domain is still protected: a transfer cannot be completed without the domain's EPP authorization code, and that code is only issued to the account holder. Your nameservers are not changed by this error.
How to fix it
- Ignore the lock error. There is nothing to fix.
- Keep your client area login secure and turn on two-factor authentication, because access to your account is what protects the EPP code.
- Keep the contact email on the domain up to date, so you receive any transfer or renewal notices.
- If you want to move the domain to another registrar, see how to get the EPP code to transfer a domain.
Still need help? Get support
Open a support ticket
A ticket is the best way to get this fixed: it keeps your details, and we reply in the ticket.
Prefer to talk? Call 0758 309 999 (fastest line). If that line is busy, call 0753 930 000 (longer wait).
Related articles
- How to Get Your EPP Code to Transfer a Domain Away
- Domains in Tanzania: Start Here (.co.tz, .tz and .com Help)
- "Error Retrieving DNS Records" on a .tz Domain: How to Fix It
- Two-Factor Authentication: Securing Your SakuraHost Account
- Why a .TZ domain matters
- Read the full guide: protect your .co.tz domain from theft
Frequently asked questions
Does the registrar lock work on .com domains?
Yes. Global domains support the registrar lock and you can switch it on in the client area.
Is my .co.tz domain less safe without the lock?
No. Transfers still need the EPP authorization code, which is only issued to the account holder.
Written by Jumbe Nylon, Founder & CTO, SakuraHost. Updated October 2026.