Overview
This article provides information about how to renew a domain registration.
Make sure you are aware of the following before proceeding:
- If your DreamHost panel access is restricted due to a past-due amount or account suspension, you must resolve any outstanding account balance or suspension before you can purchase, renew, or transfer-in a domain registration.
- It's currently not possible to renew multiple domains at once.
- By default, most domain registrations are not automatically renewed; you must set them to auto-renew in the panel. This is different from hosting plans, which are automatically renewed.
Viewing the status
The Manage Registrations page allows you to view and make changes to the renewal status of your domain(s). You can view the renewal status in the far right Auto Renew column for each domain, which includes the following options:
- Yes — sets the domain for auto-renewal. The notices are still sent as usual, but the notice states that the domain is automatically renewed when it is set to expire, and the charge for that automatic renewal is applied to your account instead of requiring payment upfront.
- Let expire — sets the domain to expire on its expiration date, but the notices for this will still be sent as per ICANN’s policy with regards to notifying the registration owner of this information.
- Ask — sends a notice asking if you wish to renew the domain. Manual renewals require payment upfront when clicking the Renew Now button for that domain on the Manage Registrations page.
You can also click the drop-down menu under the Renewal column to renew a domain for multiple years.
Regardless of how you set up the renewal process for your domain, the notices for the domain’s expiration are still sent even if it’s set to Let Expire. Starting 5 weeks before the domain’s expiration date, DreamHost sends you notices of the domain’s expiration and how you can renew it if you wish to do so.
How to renew a domain registration
There are two ways to renew a domain registered through DreamHost: either setting it to auto-renew or manually renewing it. The following sections explain both options.
Option 1 — Setting your domain to auto-renew
To set your domain to automatically renew, navigate to the Manage Registrations page and select Yes in the Auto Renew column for each domain you wish to auto-renew.
See the following articles to learn more about how auto-renew domains are renewed and charged at DreamHost:
Option 2 — Manually renewing a domain
- Navigate to the Manage Registrations page.
- Click the Renew Now button to the right of the domain name you wish to renew.
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The Order Summary page appears, which displays the domain and the renewal price.
The renewal price may show as $0.00. However, you must continue this process to renew the domain registration.
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The Order Summary page appears, which displays the domain and the renewal price.
- Click the Renew Domain Now button.
Your domain will begin the renewal process, which typically completes within 30 minutes. When you return to the Manage Registrations page, a Pending renewal message appears next to the renewing domain.
Paying for the renewal
If you owe an amount for the registration renewal, the cost is listed in the drop-down menu. This charge must be paid upfront for manual renewals. Auto-renewals are automatically charged to your account.
If a registration renewal price increases after you receive a renewal notice, DreamHost will honor the quoted rate in the notice. For example, if the quoted renewal is $9.99/year and the price then increases to $11.99/year, DreamHost will still bill you at $9.99/year.
FAQs
I'm not able to log into my account — can I get help with that?
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If you cannot log into your account, contact support for assistance.
Where can I find domain registration and renewal fees?
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The latest pricing can be found on this page, which provides dynamically generated pricing information for new domain registrations and domain renewals.
Where are domain renewal notices sent?
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Domain renewal notices are sent to the domain's registrant contact email address. See this article for more information.
Where can I find more information about domain registration renewals?
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See this FAQ article for more details on domain registration renewals.
Are there any domains that are auto-renew only?
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Yes. The following domains are known as Auto-Renew Only domains: .AT, .DE, and .JP. If you own one of these domains, see this article for more information.
Are domain registration renewals refundable?
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See this article to learn more about how domain registrations are charged and billed.
How long can I renew my domain?
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You can renew an active domain registration for up to 2 years, with payment required upon renewal. If the domain registration has already expired, a 3-year option is available.
How can I confirm my domain registration renewal was successful?
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You can confirm that your domain renewal was successful by verifying the domain expiration date on the Manage Registrations page. The expiration date appears under the Expires column. Once your domain is successfully renewed, you will also receive an email confirmation.