When you register a domain name, you’re essentially leasing it for a set period—most commonly one year at a time. If you forget to renew it or let it lapse, several things kick in. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Your Website and Email Go Offline
As soon as your domain expires, any websites, email addresses, or services tied to it will stop working. Visitors will see an error message or a notice that the domain is available.
2. Grace Period (Renewal Grace Period)
Most registrars give you a short window—often 0 to 30 days—called the “grace period.” During this time:
- You can usually renew your domain at the regular price.
- Your website and email may still not work, but the domain isn’t gone for good yet.
3. Redemption Period
If you don’t renew during the grace period, the domain enters the redemption period (usually 30 days).
- You can still get your domain back, but you’ll often pay a higher “redemption” fee on top of the usual renewal cost.
- Your domain is removed from the zone file, so nothing connected to it works.
- The domain is marked for deletion, but is not yet available for others to register.
4. Pending Delete
After the redemption period, the domain enters a “pending delete” status (typically lasting 5 days).
- You can no longer renew or restore the domain.
- The domain is about to be released to the public.
5. Domain Becomes Available to the Public
Once it passes through all these stages, your domain is released and anyone can register it. Sometimes, domain resellers or “domain squatters” will quickly register expired domains—especially if they are short, catchy, or tied to a popular brand.
What Should You Do If Your Domain Expires?
- Act fast: The sooner you notice and renew, the better your chances of getting it back easily and cheaply.
- Check your registrar’s policies: Grace and redemption periods can vary.
- Enable auto-renew: To avoid this situation, set your domain to auto-renew and make sure your payment info is up-to-date.
- Monitor your email: Registrars typically send several reminders before and after expiration.
In summary:
When your domain expires, your website and email go offline, but you usually have a window to renew it before it’s lost for good. Don’t wait too long—after a few weeks, it could be gone forever!
