Internet Domains Lifecycle Overview

Web2 domains do not last forever without action. Each domain has an expiration date, after which registries and registrars apply a series of status changes that determine whether you can still renew, how much it costs, and whether your website and email continue to work.

The exact timelines vary by TLD (e.g., .com, .net, and country-code TLDs), but the lifecycle usually includes three key stages after expiry: Grace Period, Redemption, and Pending Delete. Enabling auto renew and keeping payment details current is the safest way to avoid downtime.

Key Terms at a Glance

• Expiration date: The end of the paid registration term.
• Grace Period: A short window after expiry when you can still renew at the standard price. Services may stop during this time.
• Redemption: A recovery window after Grace when renewal is still possible, but an additional redemption fee applies.
• Pending Delete: The final state before deletion; renewal or recovery is no longer possible.
• Auto renew: A registrar feature that attempts to renew your domain automatically before expiry.
  
  

Typical Timeline (for Many gTLDs, Your TLD May Differ)
Day 0 → Day 1–45 → Day 46–75 → Day 76–80 → Day 81+
Expiry → Grace Period → Redemption → Pending Delete → Available

• Day 0: Expiry
• Day 1–45: Grace Period (renew at standard price; services may be paused or disabled)
• Day 46–75: Redemption (renewal still possible with an extra fee)
• Day 76–80: Pending Delete (renewal not possible)
• Day 81+: Available (deleted, and anyone can register it)

These windows are indicative. Some TLDs have shorter or longer periods, and a few ccTLDs replace or rename stages. Always rely on the dates shown in your dashboard.

What Happens at Each Stage

1) Grace Period – renewal still possible, services may stop
What it is: Immediately after the expiration date, many TLDs offer a Grace Period. You can still renew the domain at the standard renewal price. However, your registrar may pause DNS or place the domain on hold, which can stop the website and email.

What you can do:

• Renew the domain from your dashboard.
• If auto-renewal failed, update your payment method and retry.
• If DNS was paused, it usually returns once the renewal posts.

Common reasons for trouble:

• Expired or blocked card, insufficient funds, billing address mismatch.
• Forgotten login email, contact email no longer accessible, verification pending.
• Nameserver or clientHold status applied after expiry (normal at many registrars).

Good to know: Renewing during Grace usually keeps the original name and configuration; no extra recovery fee is charged.

2) Redemption – recovery possible, additional fee applies
What it is: If not renewed during Grace, the domain usually moves into Redemption. The registry flags the domain for deletion, but you can still recover it by paying the standard renewal plus a redemption fee. DNS is typically disabled.

What you can do:

• Start a Restore or Redeem request in your dashboard.
• Pay the renewal plus redemption fee (varies by TLD).
• Expect registry processing time (minutes to days).

Common reasons for trouble:

• Waiting too long to start the restore (time-bound).
• Assuming transfers avoid fees (they don’t during Redemption).
• Budgeting only for renewal; the fee is separate and required.

Good to know: Once restored, your domain returns to normal active state. Enable auto-renew to prevent repeats.

3) Pending Delete – no recovery possible
What it is: After Redemption, the domain enters Pending Delete, a short final window before permanent deletion. No renewals, restores, or transfers are possible.

What you can do:

• Plan for loss: back up data, change logins, notify stakeholders.
• If you want the domain again, monitor availability, but popular names are often backordered.

Good to know: After deletion, anyone can register the domain. No guarantee you’ll reclaim it.

Impact on Your Services, Website and Email

• Website: During Grace, DNS may pause. During Redemption/Pending Delete, DNS is usually disabled. Sites stop until renewal and propagation.
• Email: MX depends on active DNS. If paused or disabled, email fails or bounces. Providers may delete mailboxes after a retention window.
• Search and SEO: Temporary downtime causes crawl errors; long downtime risks ranking loss and broken links. Renew early.

Auto Renew: the Best Protection

Why it matters: Auto renew attempts renewal before expiry. If the first attempt fails, systems retry, but don’t rely on retries alone.

How to set it up:

• Enable Auto Renew for important domains in your dashboard.
• Add a valid recurring payment method.
• Keep billing info current.
• Whitelist renewal notices in your inbox.

Safety checklist:

• Check auto renew 30–15 days before expiry.
• For critical domains, renew for multiple years.
• Keep registrant + backup admin contacts on file.

Special Cases and Variations You Should Know

• Premium names: Same lifecycle but higher fees possible.
• Country code TLDs: Some use different terms or skip Redemption.
• Recent transfers/changes: ICANN can trigger a temporary transfer lock.
• Backorders/drop catching: Popular expiring domains may be taken fast at Pending Delete.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I transfer a domain while expired?
Sometimes, transfers are possible during the Grace Period, but policies vary by registrar and TLD. In practice, the safest option is to renew first, then transfer once the domain is active to avoid delays, failures, or unexpected restrictions.

Will DNS/site return immediately after I renew?
Usually your domain starts working again after the renewal posts successfully. However, if DNS was paused/held, you may still need to allow for DNS propagation, which can take hours. If your nameservers or DNS records were changed, propagation may take longer.

What is the redemption fee?
The redemption fee is a registry recovery fee added on top of the standard renewal cost when a domain is in Redemption. The amount varies by TLD and can be significant compared to normal renewal.

Can I skip Redemption?
Not reliably. If you do not restore the domain during Redemption, it will proceed to Pending Delete and then be deleted. You can try to re-register it after deletion, but there is no guarantee you will succeed—especially for popular names that may be backordered or drop-caught.

Does the timeline always match Day 1–45 / 46–75 / 76–80?
No. Those ranges are typical for many gTLDs, but timelines vary by TLD (especially ccTLDs). Always follow the exact dates shown in your dashboard for your specific domain.

Why did auto renew fail if it was enabled?
Common reasons include an expired/blocked card, insufficient funds, billing/address mismatch, or payment verification issues. Auto-renew systems may retry, but you should update the payment method and ensure your contact email can receive renewal notices.

What happens to my email during expiry stages?
Email depends on active DNS (especially MX records). If DNS is paused (Grace) or disabled (Redemption/Pending Delete), email may fail or bounce. Some email providers may delete mailboxes after a retention window, so renew early and monitor delivery.

Best Practices to Avoid Downtime

• Enable Auto Renew for key domains.
• Keep payment details updated.
• Maintain accurate contacts.
• Renew early, consider multi-year terms.
• Document DNS settings for quick recovery.
• If letting a domain lapse, plan the shutdown.