How to Fix the Google Workspace “Review and Checkout” Loop

Are you trapped in an endless “Review and Checkout” loop?

You can’t log in, you can’t finish the setup, and Google won’t let you start over because it insists your domain is already in use.

In this guide I walk you through how to break out of this loop using Google’s domain recovery tool. You’ll prove you own your domain, cancel the half-baked setup, and free up your domain to start fresh—all in less than 10 minutes of active work.

Step 1: Open the Google Admin Recovery Form

Go directly to the Google Admin Toolbox Domain in Use Recovery form:

1. Enter the exact domain name you are trying to setup (e.g., yourbusiness.com.au).
2. Provide a contact email address that you currently have access to so Google can send you progress updates.
3. When asked if you have signed up before, select “No, this is my first time to sign up with this domain”.
4. Complete the reCAPTCHA (“I’m not a robot”) and click Continue.

Step 2: Add the TXT Verification Record to Your DNS

Google needs proof that you actually own the domain before it goes any further:

1. Select the TXT record option when Google asks for verification.
2. Copy the generated verification value exactly as shown.
3. Open a new browser tab and log into your domain registrar or hosting provider (where your website DNS is managed—e.g., VentraIP, Digital Pacific, or Crazy Domains).
4. Head to your DNS Management screen (often listed as DNS Records, Manage DNS, or Zone Editor).
5. Add a new record with these details:
   • Type: TXT
   • Host / Name: @ (If your DNS manager throws an error when entering @, simply leave this field blank).
   • TTL (Time to Live): Set this as low as possible—300 seconds (5 minutes) is ideal to speed up detection.
   • Value / TXT Content: Paste the exact verification string you copied from Google.

Step 3: Run the Verification Check

Switch back to the Google recovery form tab and click Check again.

If Google detects the new TXT record straight away, you can move directly to the next step. If it doesn’t find it on your first try, don’t worry—DNS updates can take a few minutes to spread across the web. Give it 5 minutes and click check again.

Step 4: Request the Domain Release

Once Google confirms your domain ownership, the form will present your recovery options.

Select Free up the domain for a new installation.

This explicitly tells Google to wipe out the stuck, half-created account and release your domain entirely. Google will display a confirmation screen and send a follow-up email to your contact address.

Important: The domain release process typically takes up to 24 hours. Wait for Google’s confirmation email before attempting to start a fresh signup.

Step 5: Start a Fresh Workspace Setup

Once you receive the confirmation email from Google stating your domain is released:

• Open an Incognito or Private Browsing window (this prevents your browser from holding onto old session cookies).
• Head back to the main Google Workspace site and run through your fresh setup from scratch.

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