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Managing your domain renewals: everything you need to know
Stay in control of your domains by understanding auto-renewal, cancellation, renewal periods, and what happens if a domain expires.
Whether you want to set your domains to auto-renew, cancel the ones you no longer need, or adjust your renewal period, this guide covers everything you need to know to stay in control, avoid unnecessary costs, and make sure you never lose an important domain by accident.
And if you've ever thought an expired domain is harmless, this real-life example of how a lapsed domain became a child safety concern is a reminder of why renewals really matter.
TL;DR - keep your domains in check
- Auto-renewal keeps your domains safe (provided you have a valid card on file)
- Turning off auto-renewal is how you cancel a domain - no extra steps required
- Renewal reminders are mandatory, even if you are not renewing
- Locking in a longer renewal period can save you money and hassle
- If you don't renew on time, recovery might be costly - or impossible
Auto-renewal: set it and (almost) forget it
Auto-renewal is your safety net. When enabled, your domain renews automatically before it expires. If you have a card on file, we'll use that, because it's the only payment method that supports fully automated billing.
If you don't have a card on file, auto-renewal will still generate an invoice, but you'll need to log in and pay it manually.
How to check and manage auto-renewal
- Log in to your Client Area.
- Go to Domains > My Domains.
- Click Manage on the domain you want to update.
- Find the Auto Renewal toggle and turn it on or off.
We'll remind you ahead of time. Auto-renewal is on by default because keeping your domains active is important. We'll send you a reminder before we process any renewal, so there are no surprises.
Heads up: If your card expires or is removed, auto-renewal will only generate an invoice - we won't be able to process your payment automatically.
How to cancel a domain (turning off auto-renewal)
Not using a domain any more? The simplest way to let it go is to turn off auto-renewal. This prevents automated invoicing and ensures the domain won't be renewed unless you do so manually.
If auto-renewal was enabled and there is an unpaid invoice outstanding, turning off auto-renewal will prevent further payment requests for that invoice.
To cancel your domain
- Turn off auto-renewal by following the steps above.
- If the domain has already been invoiced, that invoice will be cancelled automatically once auto-renewal is turned off. If multiple domains are on the same invoice, only the specific domain is removed.
- No further action is needed - just let it expire.
About renewal reminders (even if you've turned off auto-renewal)
You've turned off auto-renewal - so why are we still emailing you about renewal? It's not because we enjoy filling your inbox. It's actually a requirement.
Domain regulations require us to send renewal notices when a domain is approaching expiration. Even if you've decided not to renew, you'll still receive reminders both before and after expiry.
Changing your renewal period (and why you should consider it)
You can change your renewal period to register a domain for multiple years at once.
Why consider a longer renewal period?
- Avoid future price increases - domain prices generally go up, not down. Renewing for 2, 5, or even 10 years means you pay today's rates.
- Less expiry stress - the longer the registration period, the fewer renewal reminders in your inbox.
How to change your renewal period
- Go to Domains > Renew Domains.
- Select the domains you'd like to renew and choose your preferred Renewal Period if available.
- Complete checkout - your domain will be renewed for the chosen period.
- We'll use the same renewal period next time, unless you reduce it.
Limits: Not all domains can be renewed for long periods. Most allow up to 10 years, but some have shorter maximum registration periods. If your domain is already registered for 8 years, for example, you can only renew for a maximum of 2 more years.
What happens if you don't renew?
If you don't renew, your domain will expire - and what happens next depends on the extension. Some people assume they can let it expire and re-register it as if nothing happened, but that's a dangerous gamble.
For most domains, expiration means your website and email go offline immediately. The exception is some country-code domains, such as .uk, which have a short buffer period.
Many domains have a renewal grace period where you can still renew at the standard price. If you miss that window, your domain could enter redemption, where renewal costs significantly more. Some extensions - including .eu, .de, and .es - skip the grace period entirely and go straight to redemption. That means if you don't renew on time, your domain could be immediately lost or require an expensive recovery process.
If it goes past redemption, your domain might be auctioned off, picked up by a competitor, or grabbed by a domain investor looking to resell it at a much higher price.
The best move is to renew on time and avoid the stress altogether.