What Happens When My Domain Expires?

Your domain name is your online identity, and like most services, it needs to be renewed regularly to stay active. If your domain expires, it can affect your website, email, and brand presence. Understanding what happens when a domain expires helps you avoid downtime and the risk of losing your domain.

What Happens Immediately After Expiry?

When your domain expires, your website and related services (like email) may stop working. The domain remains registered in your name for a short time, but it is no longer considered “active.”

This means:

• Your website may become inaccessible.
• Email accounts linked to the domain may stop sending or receiving messages.
• You lose the ability to update DNS records.

How to Recover an Expired Domain via Hosted.com®

1. Login to your Hosted.com® Account

2. In the dashboard, click the Manage Services dropdown menu and select Domains.

3. Renew Your Domain: Locate the expired domain in the list and click Renew Now to restore it.

The Domain Expiration Cycle

Most domains follow a standard expiration cycle:

1. Expiration Date (Day 0): Your domain name officially expires if not renewed by this date.

2. Grace Period (0–30 days): You can usually renew your domain at the regular renewal cost. Your services may still be down, but you can reclaim your domain without penalty.

3. Redemption Period (30–60 days): If you don’t renew during the grace period, the domain may enter redemption. At this stage, renewal is still possible, but it usually involves higher fees.

4. Pending Deletion (60–75 days): The domain is scheduled for deletion and cannot be recovered. After deletion, it becomes available for registration by anyone.

Risks of Letting a Domain Expire

• Loss of Ownership: Once deleted, anyone can register your domain.
• Service Downtime: Your website, emails, and DNS records cease to work.
• Increased Renewal Costs: If the domain enters redemption, costs are higher.
• Brand Impact: Losing your domain may damage your reputation and confuse customers.

How to Prevent Domain Expiry

• Enable Auto-Renewal: Hosted.com® allows you to set domains to auto-renew so you never miss a deadline.
• Keep Contact Details Updated: Renewal reminders are sent to the email address on file.
• Renew Early: You can renew your domain before the expiration date for peace of mind.
• Register for Multiple Years: Extend your registration period to reduce the hassle of yearly renewals.

Additional Information

• Check Expiry Date: You can view your domain’s expiration date in the Hosted.com® dashboard.
• Expired Domain Auctions: In some cases, expired domains may be auctioned before deletion.
• Recovering After Expiry: If your domain is in redemption, contact Hosted.com® support to discuss recovery options.
• High-Value Domains: Expired domains with strong SEO or brand value are often snapped up fast; renewing on time is critical.
• Best Practice: Always renew at least a few weeks before the expiration date to avoid accidental loss.