An expired domain can usually still be renewed for a while. Renew it fast: later a restore fee applies, and in the end anyone can register it.
What happens after the expiry date
The exact timing depends on the extension (.com, .in, .uk and so on) and its registry. In general, an expired domain goes through these stages:
- Expired, renewal grace period. Your website and email usually stop working within days of the expiry date. The domain still belongs to you and can normally be renewed at the normal renewal price. How long this lasts differs per extension, and some country extensions have no grace period at all.
- Redemption period. The domain can no longer be renewed in the usual way, only restored. The registry charges a restore fee on top of the renewal, which is usually much more than a normal renewal. For .com and most other generic extensions this period lasts 30 days.
- Pending delete. For about five days the domain can't be renewed or restored at all.
- Released. The domain is free again, and anyone can register it, including people who buy expired domains to resell them.
Because the stages and prices differ per extension, don't wait: the earlier you renew, the cheaper and safer it is.
Get an expired domain back
Go to Domains > My Domains. The Expired tab lists your expired domains.
Click Manage next to the domain and click Renew Now, or use Domains > Renew Domains. Pay the renewal. The steps are the same as for a normal renewal: see Renew a domain.
If there's already an unpaid renewal invoice for the domain, pay that one instead (see Pay an invoice).
If renewing isn't offered any more, the domain may be in the redemption period. Open a ticket in Domains Support right away: we'll check with the registry whether the domain can still be restored and tell you what it costs.
After the renewal is processed, it can take some hours until your website and email work again everywhere. Clearing your DNS cache helps you see it sooner (see Clear your DNS cache).
Make sure it doesn't happen again
- Keep auto-renew on. With auto-renew, we create a renewal invoice before the domain expires (see Turn auto-renew on or off). Auto-renew doesn't pay for you: the domain is renewed once the invoice is paid.
- Keep your email address current, so renewal invoices and reminders reach you (see Update your profile and billing address).
- Renew for several years. Renewing early doesn't cost you time: the years are added to the current expiry date.
Common problems
You paid, but the domain still shows as expired
The renewal is sent to the registry after payment and can take a little time. If the status hasn't changed after a day, open a ticket in Domains Support.
Your website shows a parking page or ads
Many registries show a parking page for expired domains. It goes away after the renewal.
The domain was registered by someone else
Once a domain has been released and registered by another person, it belongs to them. You can try to contact the new owner, or choose a new name (see Register a new domain).
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Still stuck? Open a support ticket and we'll help.
