Renewing your domain (don't let it expire!)
How and when to renew your domain name, what the renewal process involves, and why letting it expire can be a costly mistake.
Your domain name isn't something you buy once and keep forever. It's rented on a yearly (or multi-year) basis, and if you forget to renew it, you risk losing your domain — and with it, your website and email. This guide explains everything you need to know about renewing your domain.
Quick summary
You need to renew your domain name before it expires — usually once a year. The simplest protection is turning on auto-renew with a valid payment method. If your domain does expire, there's usually a grace period to recover it, but acting fast is critical.
When does a domain expire?
Every domain has an expiry date — set when it was first registered. You can see this date in your registrar account or by doing a WHOIS lookup at lookup.icann.org. See How to find where your domain is registered.
Most registrars send email reminders before expiry — typically 60, 30, and 7 days in advance. But emails get missed. Don't rely on reminders alone.
How to renew your domain
Log in to your registrar account. This is where your domain is registered (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
Find your domain. It will be listed in your account's domain management area.
Click Renew (or the equivalent button in your registrar's interface).
Choose the renewal period. You can usually renew for 1–10 years. Renewing for 2+ years at a time means one less thing to remember each year.
Complete payment. The cost is similar to the original registration fee — typically $10–$20/year for a .com.
The better option: turn on auto-renew
The safest approach is to enable auto-renew so your domain renews automatically before it expires. See Turning on auto-renew for step-by-step instructions.
With auto-renew on, your registrar will charge your card on file each year. You just need to make sure:
- Auto-renew is turned on in your account settings.
- Your payment method is up to date.
- The email on your account is one you actively check.
What if you miss a renewal?
If your domain expires, it doesn't disappear immediately. There are several stages:
| Stage | Timeframe | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Expired | Day 0 | Domain stops working; your site and email may go offline |
| Grace period | ~0–30 days after expiry | You can still renew at the normal price |
| Redemption period | ~30–60 days after expiry | You can still recover the domain, but registrars charge a significant redemption fee ($50–$200+) |
| Deletion | ~75+ days after expiry | Domain is released and anyone can register it |
Don't wait if your domain has expired
If your domain has expired, log in to your registrar immediately and renew it. The redemption fee grows over time, and once the domain enters the deletion queue, anyone can buy it — including a domain squatter who may ask thousands of dollars to give it back.
Common questions
Related guides
- Turning on auto-renew
- What happens when a domain expires
- How to find where your domain is registered
- Who owns your domain (and why it matters)
- Domain privacy protection explained
Need a hand?
How to choose a good domain name
Practical tips for picking a domain name that is memorable, professional, and available — covering extensions, length, and common mistakes.
Turning on auto-renew
How to enable automatic domain renewal at the most common registrars so your domain never expires by accident.