Skip to content

Route 53 UPDATE_NAMESERVER operation stuck IN_PROGRESS for 3 weeks — DuplicateRequest error blocks new update

0

Route 53 UPDATE_NAMESERVER operation stuck IN_PROGRESS for weeks — cannot submit new nameserver update

I have a domain (domain.com) registered via Route 53, and a nameserver update operation has been stuck in IN_PROGRESS for over three weeks now.

Operation details:

  • Operation ID: 86170f12-3d0f-4101-b0f8-f9685dbcd379
  • Type: UPDATE_NAMESERVER
  • Status: IN_PROGRESS
  • Submitted: 2026-05-13
  • Last Updated: 2026-05-14

When I try to submit a new nameserver update to fix it, I get:

An error occurred (DuplicateRequest) when calling the UpdateDomainNameservers operation: A request is already pending for the operation.

So I'm completely blocked — I can't cancel the stuck operation and I can't submit a new one.

Questions:

  1. Is there any way to cancel or force-complete a stuck UPDATE_NAMESERVER operation via the CLI or console?
  2. Has anyone else experienced this and did it eventually resolve on its own?
  3. Is there a way to escalate this without a paid support plan?

I'm on the free tier with no paid support plan. Any help appreciated.

2 Answers
0

I understand how frustrating it is to have a nameserver update operation stuck in progress for an extended period. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to cancel or force-complete a stuck UPDATE_NAMESERVER operation through the CLI or console. These operations are designed to complete automatically, and the system prevents duplicate requests while one is in progress to avoid conflicts.

When you use the update-domain-nameservers command, it returns an operation ID that you can use to track the progress of the request. However, if an operation remains in IN_PROGRESS status for an unusually long time like this, it typically indicates an issue that requires AWS Support intervention to resolve.

For your situation, I recommend the following:

  1. Contact AWS Support directly through the AWS Support Center at https://console.aws.amazon.com/support/. Even on the free tier, you have access to account and billing support, and domain registration issues often fall under account support. You can create a new support case explaining the stuck operation and the DuplicateRequest error you're encountering.

  2. Provide the operation details when you contact support, including the operation ID and the timeline, so they can investigate and manually resolve the stuck operation.

  3. Consider your support plan options - if you frequently need technical support or faster response times, you might want to review the available AWS Support plans for your needs.

The DuplicateRequest error is working as designed to prevent conflicting nameserver updates, but the underlying stuck operation needs AWS Support's assistance to clear.
Sources
update-domain-nameservers — AWS CLI 2.27.41 Command Reference

answered a month ago

EXPERT

reviewed a month ago

0

Yes, you cannot cancel or force-complete a stuck UPDATE_NAMESERVER operation in Route 53 yourself but AWS Support intervention. Even on the free Basic Support plan, you can escalate this via the “Account and Billing → Domain Registration Issue” path in the Support Center.

EXPERT

answered a month ago

You are not logged in. Log in to post an answer.

A good answer clearly answers the question and provides constructive feedback and encourages professional growth in the question asker.