What Happens When My Domain Expires and How Do I Renew It?

Discovering that your domain name has expired can be startling, but it's a common issue with a clear path to resolution. This guide explains the typical reasons for domain expiration, what happens to your website and email during this time, and the steps you can take to renew your domain and get back online.

In this article, we'll cover:

• Common Reasons for Domain Expiration
• What Happens After My Domain Expires?
• How Do I Renew My Expired Domain?
• How to Prevent Your Domain from Expiring

Common Reasons for Domain Expiration

Domain expiration can occur for several reasons, the most common being:

• Non-Renewal: The domain was not manually renewed before its expiration date. This often happens if renewal notices from your registrar go to an old or unchecked email address.
• Auto-Renewal Failed: The auto-renewal feature was enabled, but the payment method on file was no longer valid (e.g., an expired credit card or insufficient funds), causing the renewal to fail.
• Registrar Issues: In rare cases, there may be an issue with the domain registrar, such as technical errors or policy changes.
• Domain Holds or Locks: Sometimes, a domain might be placed on hold due to a legal dispute or a policy violation, which can prevent renewal until the issue is resolved.
• Incomplete Domain Transfer: An attempt to transfer the domain to another registrar was not finished before the expiration date.

What Happens After My Domain Expires?

Once your domain expires, it enters a lifecycle with several phases, affecting your services along the way:

Immediate Effects After Expiration

• Website Downtime: Your website will become inaccessible. Visitors will likely see a "parked" page indicating the domain has expired.
• Email Service Interruption: Any email addresses associated with your domain will stop working. You will not be able to send or receive emails.

Grace Period (Typically 1-45 Days)

Most registrars, including Network Solutions, provide a grace period after expiration. During this time, you can usually renew your domain at the standard price without any extra fees.

Redemption Period (Typically 30-45 Days After Grace Period)

If you don't renew during the grace period, the domain enters the Redemption Period. You can still recover the domain during this time, but you will have to pay a significant redemption fee in addition to the standard renewal cost. Your website and email will not function during this time.

Auction and Release

• Auction: After the Redemption Period, the domain may be auctioned off by the registrar.
• Release: If it is not sold at auction, the domain is eventually released back to the public, and anyone can register it.

How Do I Renew My Expired Domain?

If your domain has expired, your renewal options depend on its current status:

• If your domain is in the Grace Period: You can typically renew it through your Account Manager. Please see our guide on How Do I Make a Payment to Renew My Services?.
• If your Auto-Renewal failed: Please update your billing information first. For instructions, see How to Manage Auto-Renew.
• If your domain is in the Redemption Period: You must contact customer support to initiate the recovery process. Please be aware that redemption fees will apply.

How to Prevent Your Domain from Expiring

• Ensure the email address on file in your account is always up to date.
• Regularly check your spam or junk folder for important account notifications.
• Keep your billing information current and valid.
• Enable the auto-renewal feature for your domain in your Account Manager.

Review

To avoid service interruptions, it's crucial to be aware of your domain's expiration date. If your domain does expire, act quickly to renew it within the grace period to avoid extra fees or the risk of losing it permanently. The best way to prevent expiration is to keep your contact and billing information up to date and enable auto-renewal for your domain.