What Happens When Your Domain Expires?

A domain isn't bought once and kept forever; it is registered for a set period and must be renewed. A domain that isn't renewed first stops working and can then slip out of your hands entirely.

What happens first when it expires?

For most domains, the registrar suspends the domain shortly after it expires. At that point:

• Your website doesn't load, or a registrar notice page appears.
• Email sent to your domain isn't delivered.
• Your hosting account and files stay where they are; the only problem is that the domain no longer points to the server.

Can you get it back?

For generic extensions (.com, .net, .org and so on), there is a period after expiry in which you can renew at the normal price. After that, the domain usually enters a stage where it can only be recovered for a restore fee much higher than a normal renewal. Finally the domain is released and anyone can register it.

The length of these periods and the fees vary by extension and registrar. Country-code extensions can have very different rules. So waiting because "I can always get it back" is risky.

Why a domain passing to someone else is dangerous

Released domains that receive traffic are snapped up quickly by automated tools. The new owner could publish a fake page in your old site's name or receive email sent to your domain, including password reset links for your other accounts.

How to prevent expiry

1. Turn on auto-renew and make sure your payment method is valid.
2. Keep your contact email up to date (who can see these details is explained in WHOIS privacy and RDAP). Registrars send reminders before expiry; these must go to an address other than one on the expiring domain itself.
3. Renew for several years. Renewing important domains for longer reduces the risk of forgetting.
4. Put it in your calendar. Set a reminder a few weeks before the expiry date.

If you're thinking of moving the domain to another registrar

Do the transfer before it expires. Transfers can run into problems on domains that have expired or are about to. The difference between a domain transfer and moving your hosting is explained in this article.

You can see the expiry dates of domains bought from OrienHost in your client area. Looking for a new domain? Use our domain search or the idea-generating hosting advisor.