How to Fix the “Domain Already Used at Hostinger” Error

Learn what to do if you get the error “Already used at Hostinger”

Updated 2 weeks ago

When adding a website to your hosting plan, you may get the following message: Already used at Hostinger

Hostinger domain search field showing “Already used at Hostinger” badge in the dropdown

This error appears when the domain you’re trying to use is already associated with a website on Hostinger – either on a different account or on another hosting plan within the same account.

For technical and security reasons, each domain can only be connected to one website (and hosting plan) at a time. To connect the domain to your new website, you’ll need to free it up from its current hosting plan first. This is possible as long as your hosting plan is active or suspended due to non-payment.

Follow the steps below for your situation.

If the domain was purchased through Hostinger and registered to your account, you can now reclaim it directly — no need to contact support.

  1. When you see the Already used at Hostinger error, select the domain you want to use.
  2. A confirmation modal will appear explaining that the domain will be connected to your current website, and removed from the previous Hostinger account.
  3. Click Continue to reclaim the domain.

Hostinger domain use confirmation modal with Continue button highlighted

Note: This option is available for Hostinger-registered domains only.

What happens to the previous account? They’ll receive an email notification, and their website files will be automatically moved to a temporary domain — so their content is not lost.

The domain is on a different Hostinger account

If you manage multiple Hostinger accounts, the domain may be connected to a website on one of your other accounts. 

1. Log in to the Hostinger account where this domain is currently used.

2. Go to ‘Websites list’ and find the website this domain is connected to; you can use the search bar.​

Websites list menu item highlighted in Hostinger dashboard

3. Delete the website to free up the domain. P.S. Before deleting it, save a backup copy of the website if you need it.

Note: If you don’t have access to the other account and the domain was purchased through Hostinger, use the self-serve reclaim option described above instead.

 

4. Return to the account where your new website is and connect the domain.

The domain is on another hosting plan within the same account

The domain may already be associated with a website on a different hosting plan in the same account.

1. Go to ‘Websites list’ and find the website this domain is connected to; you can use the search bar.

Websites list menu item highlighted in Hostinger dashboard

2. Delete the website to free up the domain. P.S. Before deleting it, save a backup copy of the website if you need it.

Note: If you don’t have access to the other account and the domain was purchased through Hostinger, use the self-serve reclaim option described above instead.

3. Once freed up, connect the domain to your intended website