Overview
The following provides answers to commonly asked questions about renewing domain registrations.
FAQs
Do I lose the remaining time when I renew?
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You never lose any time when you renew a domain, it just adds the renewal period to the existing time the domain has left. So, the expiration date never changes.
For example, if you registered the domain on May 1 but renewed it on April 12, the domain will renew from the original date of May 1, the next year.
When can I renew my DreamHost domain?
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Most domains can be renewed at any time throughout the year. However, some foreign or specialty domains (such as .de, .es, and .eu) have different renewal requirements from their respective registries. Any special renewal requirements for these domains are noted in your domain renewal reminder emails, which are sent to you starting four weeks before the domain's upcoming expiration date.
How long can I renew a domain for?
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View this article for renewal information.
What happens if I don't renew my domain in time?
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When your domain expires, any services associated with the domain (your website, email service, and so on) stop working.
- 30-day hold: For most extensions/TLDs, DreamHost holds the domain registration for 30 days to allow you to renew it in case the renewal date is missed.
- Expiration period: After this 30-day period passes, DreamHost releases the domain back to the national registry service, which starts the true expiration process at its level.
- Redemption period: The Registry will then place the domain in a 'redemption' period for another 30 days and will only release the domain back to DreamHost for a fee that it charges (in addition to a one-year renewal charge for the domain). To view the redemption fee chart, please visit the Domain Registration Terms page for further details.
- Release to the public: Once the redemption period ends, the national registry service schedules the domain for release back to the public.
Some foreign registries, such as .de, .es, and .eu, have different expiration time frames. If you own a domain with a different renewal and expiration process, these are noted in your renewal reminder emails, which are sent to you starting four weeks before the domain's upcoming expiration date.
What can I do with my domain while it is expired?
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You cannot do the following once it has expired:
- use any email or website services at that domain
- change the WHOIS contact info for your domain
- change the nameservers for your domain
Unfortunately, DreamHost doesn’t have control over this, as these restrictions are made at the Registry level.
If you need to do any of the abovementioned actions, you must renew your domain first.
Can I transfer my domain while it is expired?
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Yes. You can transfer a domain registration away from DreamHost if it’s expired, but some actions are blocked on expired domains.
- If your domain was locked when it expired, it cannot be unlocked from your panel. Please contact support for assistance with unlocking an expired domain.
- If your domain falls into redemption before the outgoing transfer is completed, the transfer will fail. Domains in the redemption phase cannot be transferred. If your domain has been expired for three (3) weeks or more, it's best to renew it with DreamHost before initiating the transfer.
Can I use PayPal to register or renew a domain name?
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You can use PayPal to make payments towards the amount of a pending renewal, either by AutoPay or by making a single payment, which results in a positive DreamHost account balance. This balance can then be used to renew (and Auto-Renew) domain name registrations.
To register using PayPal:
- Navigate to the Manage Payments page in your panel.
- See the Add PayPal to your account article and do one of the following:
- Enable AutoPay from your PayPal account, which automatically sets up recurring payments for DreamHost services.
- Make a single PayPal payment for specific DreamHost services.
Once your PayPal payment is processed, an email confirmation is sent to you.
- Renew your registration.
Are domain registration renewals refundable?
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See this article to learn more about how domain registrations are charged and billed.