HOSTDOG sends renewal reminder emails before your domain expires. You can renew manually at any time or set up automatic renewal so you never have to think about it. This guide covers both options and explains what happens if a domain does expire.
How to renew manually
Navigate to the HOSTDOG homepage and click the Log in button in the top right corner of the page.
Click Domains in the top navigation, then select My Domains. You will see all domains in your account along with their expiry dates.
Locate the domain in the list. Domains approaching expiry may be highlighted. Click on the domain name to open its management page.
On the domain management page, click the Renew button. You will be prompted to choose a renewal period. Standard renewal periods are typically 1 year for most gTLDs, and 2 years for .gr domains.
Add the renewal to your cart, select your payment method, and confirm the order. Once payment is processed, your domain's expiry date will be extended immediately. You will receive a confirmation email.
How to enable auto-renew
Auto-renew automatically renews your domain before it expires, using the payment method on file in your account. To enable it:
- Log in to your client area and go to Domains → My Domains.
- Click on the domain you want to configure.
- On the domain management page, find the Auto Renew toggle and turn it on.
- Ensure your payment method is up to date in Account → Payment Methods — auto-renew will fail if your payment method is expired or has insufficient funds.
What happens when a domain expires
When a domain name expires, it goes through several stages:
- Expiry — the domain stops resolving. Your website and email on that domain stop working immediately.
- Grace period — most registries allow a short grace period (typically 0–45 days depending on the TLD) during which you can still renew at the standard price.
- Redemption period — after the grace period, many registries place the domain in a redemption hold (typically 30 days). Redemption usually incurs a significant additional fee.
- Deletion — after the redemption period, the domain is released back to the general public and becomes available for anyone to register.
Frequently asked questions
You can renew most domains up to several years in advance from your client area. Early renewal adds time to the current expiry date — it does not reset the clock. We recommend renewing at least 30 days before expiry.
HOSTDOG sends renewal reminder emails at 60 days, 30 days, and 7 days before expiry. Make sure your account email address is current so you receive these notices. [VERIFY — exact reminder schedule]
It depends on how long ago it expired. If the domain is still within the registry's grace period, you can renew it from your client area at the standard price. If it has entered the redemption period, additional recovery fees apply. Contact HOSTDOG support immediately for guidance. Open a support ticket and our team will check the domain's current status and advise you on the fastest path to recovery.