Key takeaways:
- When a domain expires, all services associated with that domain will cease to function.
- Domain names enter a grace period (typically 1–45 days after the expiration date) and a redemption period (usually 30–45 days after the grace period) upon expiration.
- Domain names expire to ensure fairness and accessibility for everyone.
A common issue for many startups is finding out that their website is inaccessible or that their domain name no longer works, leaving them caught off guard. But why does this happen?
In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about domain name expirations, why domains expire, what happens when a domain expires, and how to prevent your domain from expiring.
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What happens when my domain expires?
When your domain name’s registration term ends, any services associated with that domain, like websites or emails, typically stop working. For the domain owner, you won’t be able to make changes or updates to it.
Domain expiration doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone for good or been deleted. The domain enters the post-expiration process. You can still renew it during the grace and redemption periods, though your site may show a parked/expired notice.
If you have Doman Expiration Protection, it can keep your domain registered to you even if renewal fails.
Domain expiration timeline: What happens after your domain expires?
When a domain name expires, it goes through three different stages:
- Grace period
- Redemption period
- Auction and release
To better understand the domain’s expiration, let’s break down each stage.
Grace period (Typically 1–45 days)
Your domain expires the day after its expiration date. That means your email stops working, and your website switches to a parked page that lets visitors know the domain has expired. During this phase, your DNS is usually disabled, but you can still renew your domain at a standard price without extra fees.
Important: Your domain may be purchased by a third party as early as 30 days after expiration. Once this happens, you won’t be able to renew or redeem it anymore.
Redemption period (Typically 30–45 days after grace period)
If you fail to renew your domain during the Grace Period, it enters the Redemption Period. During this phase, you can still redeem your domain name for its standard renewal price, but with an additional redemption fee.
Auction and release
Once the domain name is in ‘pending delete’ status, you cannot redeem it anymore. The registrar holds the domain for five days and releases it to the public for registration.
Note: This process applies only to top-level domains (TLDs) governed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Non-ICANN TLDs, such as country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), may have their own domain expiration processes.
When do domain names expire?
Domain names expire after their registration period ends, which lasts between 1 and 10 years. They’re usually marked as expired at midnight the day before the expiration date, and no further action occurs.
In most cases, the domain registrar notifies the domain owner or registrant before the expiration date. They send multiple reminders via email or account notifications days or weeks in advance. These alerts will give you enough time to renew your domain.
Why do domain names expire?
You can’t own a domain forever, and there are a few reasons why a domain name expires, such as:
- ICANN regulations
- Missed renewal reminder notices
- Disabled auto-renewal
- Outdated billing information
ICANN regulations
One reason why domain names expire is to prevent hoarding.
ICANN is an international body that oversees domain name regulations. It sets out rules for how registrars manage domain names, who can register them, and the domain expiration process.
ICANN helps ensure that no one can buy a domain to keep it off-limits forever. The bottom line is that domains expire to promote fairness and keep domain names accessible to everyone.
Missed renewal reminder notices
Auto emails and notifications may clutter your inbox, but they can be lifesaving. So, if you have switched off renewal reminder notices, you might be setting yourself up for disaster. Thirty days before the domain expires, your registrar will send you reminders through your listed email address. So, keep an eye on your inbox to ensure you don’t miss these important reminders.
Disabled auto-renewal
Go through your account information and enable auto-renewal. It automatically renews your domain name before it expires to prevent disruptions to your website.
Outdated billing information
When you lose a credit card or it expires, you may forget the sites and services that auto-bill it. In such cases, the last thing on your mind will be to update the billing information on a domain you rented years ago. This can lead to a failed domain name renewal even if you have set it to auto-renew.
Registrar issues
It’s very rare, but sometimes domain names expire due to a technical error on the registrar’s end. Sometimes, policy changes at the registrar can cause domains to expire or stop functioning.
Domain holds or locks
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have an expired domain, but sometimes a domain can lose functionality when it’s put on hold. Common reasons a domain is put on hold are legal disputes or policy violations.
How to protect your domain from expiring
There are a few simple ways to keep your domain from expiring unexpectedly and ensure it stays in your hands.
- Get Domain Expiration Protection: This domain add-on feature guarantees another full year of domain ownership and automatically renews your domain even if your card fails.
- Enable auto-renewal: Turn on auto-renewal to ensure your domain name’s registration auto-renews before the domain expiry date and avoid additional fees.
- Check your email regularly: This helps you avoid missing any domain renewal reminders. You’ll have enough time to prepare and consider your domain renewal.
- Update your billing information: Outdated payment information and expired credit cards are common causes of missed renewals. Updating it ensures a smooth payment process.
- Use a domain expiry checker: Consider using tools, like a domain expiry checker, to track a domain’s status, especially its expiration date.
- Consolidate your domains: If you have multiple domains, consider moving them to a single provider to streamline domain management.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can typically renew an expired domain name within the 45-day grace period. Once that period is complete, the domain enters a redemption phase, which can cost more because you’ll pay the registry to reinstate it. The redemption phase also includes a one-year renewal.
No, but you can try registering the same domain again when it becomes available to the public. Try to be alert and ensure no one takes it before you.
Many expired domains don’t immediately go public after their expiration date. Sometimes the registrar can put it up for auction, where expired domains are sold to the highest bidder before being deleted.
No, but a registrant can request to terminate its registration. This also depends on the registrar’s policies and the domain extension.
It’s good if the domain name has valuable backlinks and strong SEO records. However, it’s still an important step to research its past use to avoid any issues down the line.
Protect your domain today with Network Solutions
A domain could fall out of your control for many reasons, but with the reminders above, you can avoid the stress of losing your domain name.
Ensure efficient domain management with features like Domain Expiration Protection, Domain Privacy + Protection, and auto-renewal options, so you can sleep well at night knowing your domain is in good hands.
