The custom domain is already taken. Except it's not

[andreineculau]

Hi,
I’m faced with a weird situation where Github Pages complains that my domain ysoftware.se is already taken.

The story is that weeks ago I have created a repository, enabled Github Pages with ysoftware.se as a custom domain, worked fine, but realized I should have actually rename a github org instead of creating a new one and moving repos. So I have deleted the github pages repo (uncertain if i removed the custom domain first) and the organization.

Now, whenever I want to enable the custom domain, I get: The custom domain [ysoftware.se](http://ysoftware.se/) is already taken. Check out Troubleshooting custom domains and GitHub Pages - GitHub Docs for more information.

I have verified that ysoftwareab organization owns ysoftware.se and I’ve also verified the domain for github pages. I have even tried to push manually a CNAME file but I get the same error via mail.

Since I own ysoftware.se I can actually set up the A records etc so that github pages serves ysoftware.se, but when I request https://ysoftware.se I only get a 404 page from github . So it’s really pointing into the void, and not to some repository’s actual github pages’ content.

I contacted support last week, got a first reply that my DNS is not set up correctly, but that’s obviously not what the issue at hand is. It has been silent since then. I upgraded my account to Team, not sure if that escalates somehow my ticket, but 🤞.

While waiting for an update from github support, I was wondering if others faced similar issues, and after searching the support community, I see that a handful of people were as unlucky as I am, but it looks like many/all cases have been manually handled by github staff. So here I am pleading my case 🙏

Thanks in advance,
Andrei

[yoannchaudet]

Hello,

I just saw your support ticket and we may have an idea as to why the domain was not released how it should have.

An engineering on the team released the domain manually. Let us know if you still face issues.

[FANXING-0710]

Thank you for your answer, I've solved it.

[firstmover]

Hi @yoannchaudet, it seems that my GitHub page is also under a taken-over attack. Could you help me look into this issue? My ticket number is #2837558. I have messaged GitHub support for around a week but I did not get any reply. Thank you for your assistance!

[yashrajbains]

Hi @yoannchaudet , sorry to be another user tacking on but I am facing the same exact issue! Messaged GitHub support although no response yet. Thank you!

[ns-mkusper]

Hey @yoannchaudet , same issue here!

[JusperLee]

@yoannchaudet , same issue here! cslikai.cn

[andreineculau]

All green now. As they say in Swedish: tusen tack! = a thousand thanks!
If there’s any detail to share, to keep in mind for next time something like this happens, please do! Maybe I should have done X, then Y, etc. Stuff like this.

[rbeer]

Having the same issue. Added the domain to my personal account, but needed it on an origanization. Removed it from the personal account and added it to the organization, without issues. Both via Settings → Pages.

It does not work when I’m now trying to add the domain directly to a Repository via its Settings → Pages. I have removed the domain from both accounts before, but I’m still getting the error.

[yoannchaudet]

Hello!

Please reach out to the support with the custom domain in question. They will be able to assist you.

[yoannchaudet]

You are very welcome.

In that specific case I believe you hit a bug and contacting support was a great call. Last I checked it was still being investigated (some event remained in a queue instead of being processed, hence the absence of release on the custom domain).

[rbeer]

I already did and they made me aware that I had the domain linked to another repo. I uploaded a CNAME file 3 years ago and wasn’t aware back then that doing so links the domain; so I forgot about it.

[jrtib]

Just saw this thread and I'm currently having the same issue. I only have 1 repo that I've ever used this custom domain for but took the site down for maintenance. When I tried to re-publish my site with the custom domain used before only for the 1 repository for my website I have this error stating that the custom domain is already taken.

[kutyel]

I'm having the same issue as well, even after I deleted my whole kutyel.github.io repo (the one using previously the same CNAME file), the domain keeps getting rejected even when I followed the steps in https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/verifying-your-custom-domain-for-github-pages to verify my domain. Opened a github support ticket and hope they fix it soon 🤞🏻

[jrtib]

I actually discovered that my custom domain had been hijacked by another user before I had verified it with GitHub myself, so basically they were able to confirm it was my custom domain and then released it from the squatter repo to my repo. Once a custom domain is assigned to a repo apparently you get this error if you try to add it to another repo (or at least in my case).

Has your website had any unusual activity recently? I would check for a domain squatter and if there is someone using your custom domain then support will probably be able to release it to you since you mentioned you've already verified it.

[kutyel]

I checked github but could not find any other repo using my domain in a CNAME file, so hope support will be able to fix it 😬

[wndxlori]

I'll just add my gripe. Same thing happened to one of my custom domains. I have since verified the domain (personal and org), but it takes 7 days (?!?!?!?!) for the domain to be released? That's some serious BS process. Seconds to steal, a week to recover. Anyway, I submitted a ticket, to see if I can't get someone to fix it sooner.

[wndxlori]

Support responded, and I have my domain back again. What a PITA.

[firstmover]

A similar issue happened to my GitHub page and custom website as well. Sent a ticket to GitHub Support. And I hope they can help resolve this issue soon.

[Merrizee]

Is it solved? How long did it take

[firstmover]

I feel GitHub has helped me remove the malicious user who has taken over my domain (ie, if I go to my domain: yingchengliu.com, it is 404). But I still cannot add yingchengliu.com to my GitHub page. GitHub page still complains that it is taken. It's two month since I first report the problem.

[firstmover]

My problem was solved (3 months since I first reported the problem). GitHub now has a new process to verify your custom domain: https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/verifying-your-custom-domain-for-github-pages . We first verify the domain in the user profile. Then go to your IO repo and add the domain.

[drewpotter]

I am having the same problem. Please help me.

[shcherbakaite]

Yeah, if you are not on paid plan they will tell you to screw off...

[ianderrington]

Where did you file support?
I have that issue now too

[shcherbakaite]

Under Profile context menu, GitHub Support, My Tickets (top right), New Ticket. First, you will have to go through CoIdiot AI bot and convince that it's stupid. Once it gives up on you, it will let you file a ticket. https://support.github.com/tickets/personal/0

[iamprincechaudhary]

A similar issue happened to my GitHub page and custom website as well. Sent a ticket to GitHub Support. And I hope they can help resolve this issue soon.

[0xpsyduck]

I went through the same domain takeover when I made my repo private.
I have solved it for now by adding a verified domain under profile settings.

My question is how were the attackers able to verify my domain or anyone's domain as their own to Github?
Where is Github lacking?

[arxjei]

Solution that worked for me:

1. Turn off GitHub Pages in the old repository (where the domain was assigned)
2. Go to your Profile Picture → Settings
3. Under "Code, planning, and automation" → click Pages
4. Click "Add a domain" and enter your domain
5. Add the DNS TXT record they give you
6. Wait for verification (takes just a few seconds)
7. Go to your new repository and add the domain there

It worked! The domain verification at the profile level releases it from the old repo automatically.