Why Does WHOIS Still Show Old Contact Info After I Updated It? IntroductionAfter updating your domain’s contact information, you might notice that WHOIS still shows your old details. This is a common situation caused by how domain registries, registrars, and WHOIS services propagate updates. This article explains why that happens and gives practical steps you can take to ensure your WHOIS information reflects your latest changes. Why WHOIS May Show Old Contact InfoWHOIS Data Propagation DelayWhen you update domain contact info, the registrar sends changes to the registry. Public WHOIS services and global lookup caches can take time to sync with the registry. Typical propagation windows are 24–72 hours, depending on the registry and the WHOIS service.Registrar CachingMany registrars and third-party WHOIS providers cache WHOIS records to reduce server load. Even after your update is processed, cached data may still display old details until the cache expires or is refreshed.Registry Updates vs Public WHOISSome registries update their internal records immediately; however, public WHOIS mirror services or lookup tools might not reflect those updates until they next sync. Different WHOIS lookup tools may therefore show different results depending on when they last synced.Privacy / Proxy ServicesIf your domain uses a privacy or proxy service, WHOIS will display the privacy provider’s contact information instead of your personal details. Updating your personal contact info in the registrar control panel will typically be applied internally, but the public WHOIS output will continue to show the privacy service information until privacy is disabled. How to Ensure Your WHOIS Info is UpdatedWait 24–72 hours after updating your contact information. This window covers most propagation and cache expiry scenarios.Clear caches and check WHOIS from multiple sources — different lookup tools refresh at different times. Helpful lookup tools:ICANN WHOIS Lookup Verify with your registrar that the updates have been processed and that any required email verification has been completed. If the registrar requires you to confirm changes via an emailed link, the change will not be active until you confirm.Temporarily disable privacy/proxy service if you want your personal info visible publicly. Remember that disabling privacy will make your details public only do this if you understand the privacy implications.Tip: Changes are often live at the registry level even if public WHOIS mirrors still show old data. If your registrar confirms the update, it is usually applied even when some lookups still return older cached values. NotesPropagation delaysWHOIS data may take 24–72 hours to update across global lookup servers due to caching and sync delays.Pending verificationIf you haven’t confirmed the registrar’s verification email, the update will not apply.Privacy servicesWHOIS privacy services mask real details the public record may still show proxy information even after your internal details are updated.Cached lookup sitesSome WHOIS lookup sites cache old data. Always check multiple WHOIS tools for accurate results. Need Help?If you require assistance at any point while using this guide, our Support Team is here to help: Email: support@bigcloudy.com Submit a support ticket ConclusionSeeing old contact information in WHOIS after an update is normal due to propagation delays, caching, and privacy services. By waiting for updates to propagate, checking multiple WHOIS tools, and confirming with your registrar, you can ensure your domain contact info is accurately reflected. FAQ How long does it take for WHOIS to update?Usually 24–72 hours, depending on the registry, registrar caching, and the WHOIS service you check Can I force WHOIS to show my new info immediately?No. Public WHOIS propagation cannot be forced. Verifying with your registrar and waiting for caches to refresh are the standard steps. Why does WHOIS still show my privacy service info?Privacy or proxy services mask personal info. Updates are applied internally but won’t appear publicly until privacy is disabled. Should I worry if WHOIS shows old info?Not usually. As long as your registrar has processed the updates, the registry data is typically correct even if public WHOIS shows old information temporarily.
