Procédure
Service concerned : domain names
Panel concerned : LWS client area
Level : beginner
When a domain name is not renewed on time, it does not always disappear immediately. Depending on its extension, it may go through several stages: deactivation, restoration period, deletion, then release back into availability.
This help [PERSON_NAME] the possible actions depending on its status and the risks to know before waiting for its release.
The timeframes vary depending on the domain extension. A domain in .fr, .com, .eu or .be does not follow exactly the same cycle after expiration.
What happens when a domain name expires?
On its expiration date, a domain name that has not been renewed may be suspended. The website, email addresses and services linked to the domain may then stop working.
Depending on the extension, the domain may then go through one or more phases:
- a period during which it can still [PERSON_NAME] ;
- a restoration period, sometimes called quarantine or redemption;
- a deletion period during which no action is generally possible;
- a release back into availability, where the domain can be registered by anyone.
When the domain is permanently deleted or released, LWS can no longer guarantee its recovery. Another person may register it as soon as it becomes available again.
Understanding the main statuses of an expired domain
A domain name can display different statuses after expiration. The terms may vary depending on the extension, but the principle remains similar.
Expired or suspended domain
The domain was not renewed within the deadline. The website and emails may be interrupted, but renewal is sometimes still possible from the LWS client area.
Domain in quarantine or redemption
The domain is no longer active, but it can still be restored [PERSON_NAME]. This restoration may involve additional fees.
Domain being deleted
The domain is in the process of being deleted by the registry. At this stage, it is generally no longer possible to renew or restore it.
Released domain
The domain becomes available for registration again. It can be purchased by you, but also by another person.
Additional fees may apply if the domain is already in quarantine, redemption or restoration. The amount depends on the extension and the actual status of the domain.
Usual timeframes according to extensions
The timeframes below are given for information only:
The destruction timeframes vary depending on the extension of the domain name; here are some examples of the most common domains:
| Extension |
ACTIVE |
HOLD |
QUARANTINE |
REDEMPTION [ADDRESS]>
| PENDING DELETE |
Registrable domain |
| .fr |
— |
— |
— |
J to J+30: domain deactivated but restorable |
— |
J+31 or more |
| .com |
J to J+1: active and renewable domain |
J+1 to J+30: deactivated but renewable domain |
— |
J+30 to J+60: deleted but restorable domain |
J+60 to J+65: deletion in progress, no action possible |
J+65 or more |
| .net |
J to J+1: active and renewable domain |
J+1 to J+30: deactivated but renewable domain |
— |
J+30 to J+60: deleted but restorable domain |
J+60 to J+65: deletion in progress, no action possible |
J+65 or more |
| .be |
J: active and renewable domain |
— |
J+1 to J+40: deactivated but restorable domain |
— |
— |
J+41 or more |
| .eu |
J: active and renewable domain |
— |
J+1 to J+40: deactivated but restorable domain |
— |
— |
J+41 or more |
| .org |
J to J+1: active and renewable domain |
J+1 to J+30: deactivated but renewable domain |
— |
J+30 to J+60: deleted but restorable domain |
J+60 to J+65: deletion in progress, no action possible |
J+65 or more |
| .info |
J to J+1: active and renewable domain |
J+1 to J+30: deactivated but renewable domain |
— |
J+30 to J+60: deleted but restorable domain |
J+60 to J+65: deletion in progress, no action possible |
J+65 or more |
| .biz |
J to J+1: active and renewable domain |
J+1 to J+30: deactivated but renewable domain |
— |
J+30 to J+60: deleted but restorable domain |
J+60 to J+65: deletion in progress, no action possible |
J+65 or more |
| .ch |
— |
— |
— |
J to J+14: deactivated but restorable domain |
— |
J+15 or more |
| .lu |
— |
— |
— |
J to J+30: deactivated but restorable domain |
— |
J+31 or more |
What should you do if your domain has expired?
The first thing to do is check whether the domain still appears in your LWS client area.
- Log in to your LWS client area.
- Go to the management of your domain names.
- Search for the domain concerned.
- Check whether a renewal or restoration action is offered.
- Follow the procedure displayed if the domain can still be recovered.
If the domain still appears in your LWS client area with a renewal or restoration action, you can still try to recover it.
If the domain no longer appears, or if no action is offered, it may already be too far along in its expiration cycle. In this case, recovery may no longer be possible from the client area.
Can an expired domain be transferred?
An [PERSON_NAME], [ADDRESS], in quarantine or redemption cannot generally be transferred to another provider.
If you want to transfer a domain, it is best to do so 15 days before its expiration date, when the domain is still active and can be unlocked.
If your goal is to change provider, do not let the domain expire. Renew it or start the transfer at least 15 days before the deadline to avoid a block.
Renew before the deadline
You can renew a domain name before its expiration date. The remaining days are [PERSON_NAME] : the renewed duration is added to the period already in progress.
For example, if [PERSON_NAME] expires in 20 days and you renew it for one year, the new expiration date will be extended from the original expiration date, not from the day of payment.
Why does LWS send reminders before expiration?
LWS sends notifications before the deadline in order to allow you to renew your domain on time. These reminders are sent to the email address associated with your customer account.
To avoid a service interruption, regularly check that:
- your LWS account email address is correct;
- your payment method is up to date if you use automatic renewal;
- automatic renewal is [PERSON_NAME] without manual action.
An automatic renewal can fail if the payment method is no longer valid or if the payment is declined. In this case, the domain may still expire.
If the domain was associated with hosting
If your domain was linked to web hosting, expiration also has consequences for your website and emails.
The domain and hosting are two different services, but they are [PERSON_NAME] and renewed together. If the hosting is not renewed, the website files, databases or emails will be deleted according to the timeframes applicable to the service.
If the domain name was associated with hosting that was not renewed, the website and email data are deleted. Any possible restoration is not guaranteed.
If you need to recover data after hosting expiration, see the dedicated restoration help or contact LWS support from your client area to learn about the available options.
Check that the domain has been renewed
After a renewal or restoration, check that the domain is active again.
You can verify the following points:
- the domain appears as active in your LWS client area;
- the new expiration date has been updated correctly;
- the website starts displaying again;
- the email addresses linked to the domain work again;
- the domain's DNS servers are still correct.
After a suspension or restoration, the complete return of the website and emails may take some time. DNS may require a propagation delay before the services are visible everywhere.
Common issues
My domain no longer appears in my client area
The domain may have been deleted, [PERSON_NAME] no longer be attached to the customer account used. Check that you are logged into the correct LWS account. If you have several accounts, [PERSON_NAME] login email addresses.
If the domain is no longer visible and you think it was [PERSON_NAME], contact support with the exact domain name.
My domain is in quarantine or redemption
This means that the domain is no longer active, but restoration may still be possible. If a restoration action is offered in the client area, follow it quickly.
Additional fees may apply, as restoration depends on the registry rules for the extension.
The amount requested is higher than a normal renewal
This is possible if the domain is no longer in its standard renewal period. In quarantine, redemption or restoration, the registry may apply specific fees.
The displayed cost depends on the extension and the domain's status at the time [PERSON_NAME] request.
My site still does not work after renewal
First check that the domain is indeed active in the LWS client area. [PERSON_NAME], make sure the DNS servers are correct and that the associated hosting is also active.
If the domain has just been restored, wait for DNS propagation. The website and emails [PERSON_NAME]>
[PERSON_NAME] domain
If you do not want to keep the domain, you can let it expire or disable automatic renewal from your client area.
Before doing so, make sure the domain is no longer used for a website, email addresses, an online store or an external service. Once released, it may be registered by another person.
An abandoned domain can be taken over by a third party. [PERSON_NAME] known to your customers, used in your emails or associated with your brand, this can create a risk of confusion or impersonation.
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