DNS 5 REFUSED vs 9 NOTAUTH
Both DNS 5 (REFUSED) and 9 (NOTAUTH) belong to the DNS Response Codes (RCODEs) category. 5 indicates that query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons. Meanwhile, 9 means that server Not Authoritative for zone, or Not Authorized. The server is not authoritative for the zone named in the Zone section.
Description
Query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons.
When You See It
The server rejected your query due to access control — for example, a recursive resolver that only serves its own network, or a zone transfer blocked by ACL.
How to Fix
Check the server's allow-query, allow-recursion, or allow-transfer ACLs. If you are not authorized to use this resolver, switch to a public DNS service.
Description
Server Not Authoritative for zone, or Not Authorized. The server is not authoritative for the zone named in the Zone section.
When You See It
You sent a dynamic update or zone operation to a server that is not the authoritative master for that zone, or the server rejected it due to TSIG authentication failure.
How to Fix
Send the update to the correct primary authoritative server for the zone. If using TSIG, verify the key name and secret match on both client and server.
Key Differences
DNS 5: Query refused. The name server refuses to perform the requested operation for policy reasons.
DNS 9: Server Not Authoritative for zone, or Not Authorized. The server is not authoritative for the zone named in the Zone section.
You encounter 5 when the server rejected your query due to access control — for example, a recursive resolver that only serves its own network, or a zone transfer blocked by ACL.
You encounter 9 when you sent a dynamic update or zone operation to a server that is not the authoritative master for that zone, or the server rejected it due to TSIG authentication failure.
When to Use Which
For 5 (REFUSED): Check the server's allow-query, allow-recursion, or allow-transfer ACLs. If you are not authorized to use this resolver, switch to a public DNS service. For 9 (NOTAUTH): Send the update to the correct primary authoritative server for the zone. If using TSIG, verify the key name and secret match on both client and server.