If you've tried to open a Telegram link and got a “server not found” error, it's not you. Since July 13, 2026, `t.me` links have stopped working in browsers worldwide. And if you monetize a Telegram community, this affects you directly: here's what happened, what did not happen, and what to do so your audience keeps reaching you.
What happened
The `t.me` domain —the one Telegram uses for all its short links to channels, groups and profiles— has been placed in a status called serverHold by the registry that manages `.me` domains. In practice, that removes it from the DNS (the internet's “phone book”): the browser no longer knows which server `t.me` points to, which is why you see errors like *server not found*, NXDOMAIN or ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED. The change was recorded on July 13, 2026 and affects t.me links worldwide.
What did NOT happen
Three important things so panic doesn't spread:
Telegram is not down. The app (mobile and desktop) keeps working normally and links open inside the app itself. What fails is opening a t.me link from the browser.
Telegram has not lost the domain. It's still registered in its name (until 2035); this is not an expiry.
It's not a hack or a data leak. It's a domain and DNS issue, not a problem with your account's security or your messages.
For now there's no official explanation from Telegram or the .me registry. A serverHold can happen for very different reasons —from a legal dispute or an internal review to a simple technical error—, so the sensible thing is not to speculate. Everything points to it being temporary.
What you can do right now
Open links from the app, not from the browser: copy the link and paste it into Telegram, or search for the channel or group by name.
Share your community through other channels while it lasts: the channel's @username, a QR code or, better still, your links page (hub) instead of a bare t.me link.
Tell your audience with a short message: “if the link doesn't open in the browser, open it inside Telegram.”
If you manage subscriptions or paid access on Telegram, share the invite link inside the app or from your hub, not just as an open `t.me` link. Here's how to manage subscriptions on Telegram without losing sales.
Using Kunfupay? You keep getting paid as normal
If you manage payments and access to your Telegram community with Kunfupay, we have good news: everything keeps working 100%. Access and subscriptions are managed inside the Telegram app itself —which is not affected by the t.me links going down in the browser—, so your customers keep joining your community and you keep getting paid without interruption.
The real lesson: don't depend on a single link
This outage makes one thing clear: if your whole business runs through a single link you don't control, an external failure can cut off your flow in seconds. The alternative is having your own hub —like Biolink, free inside the Kunfupay ecosystem— from which you direct your audience to your community, your website and your payment pages. If one channel fails, you change the destination without losing anyone. We explain it in detail in why the typical link in bio is a trap.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Telegram links open?
Because the t.me domain has been removed from the global DNS (serverHold status) and the browser can't resolve it. It's not a problem with your connection or your device.
Is Telegram down?
No. The app works normally; what fails is opening t.me links from the browser.
Is it dangerous for my account or my data?
No. It's a domain and DNS issue, not a security one. Your messages and your account are not affected.
When will it be fixed?
There's no official date. Everything indicates it's temporary; we'll update this article when it's resolved.
Does it affect me if I use Kunfupay for my Telegram community?
No. Kunfupay keeps working 100% for those who use Telegram: access and payments are managed inside the app, which works normally.
Related
Last updated: July 14, 2026.
