🔍 What Is Causing This Error?
When you try to connect a registered domain to Search Atlas and receive an error indicating that the domain is already in use or cannot be connected, the most common cause is a leftover DNS record from a previous Website Studio project. Even if that project has been deleted or is no longer active, its DNS entry can remain and block any new domain connection attempts.
This is not an issue with your domain registrar or your DNS provider. The conflict exists inside Search Atlas, where an old Website Studio record is still associated with that domain.
⚠️ How to Confirm This Is Your Issue
You are likely experiencing this problem if all of the following are true:
- Your domain is fully registered and active with your domain registrar.
- You are attempting to connect the domain inside Search Atlas and receive an error indicating the domain is already claimed or in use.
- You do not see any active project in Website Studio currently using that domain.
- The domain was previously used in a Website Studio project that has since been removed or is no longer active.
🛠️ What to Do
Because this conflict involves an internal DNS record that may have been orphaned when a previous Website Studio project was deleted, it typically cannot be resolved through self-serve steps alone. The Search Atlas support team will need to manually remove the conflicting record on your behalf.
To help the team resolve this as quickly as possible, please have the following ready before reaching out:
- The exact domain name that is blocked (e.g., example.com).
- The name of any Website Studio project you believe previously used this domain, if known.
- The error message text you are seeing when attempting to connect the domain.
- The date and approximate time you first encountered the error.
- Your Search Atlas workspace name or account email.
🧹 Why Orphaned DNS Records Happen
An orphaned DNS record is created when a Website Studio project is removed without first disconnecting the custom domain assignment. Search Atlas retains the DNS mapping as a safeguard, but this can prevent you from reusing or reassigning the domain later.
✅ How to Prevent This in the Future
- Before deleting any Website Studio project, always disconnect your custom domain from the project first, then proceed with deleting the project.
- Confirm the domain no longer shows as connected before completing the deletion.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.