# Renewing an expired domain

> Your domain expired? Here's how long you have to renew it, what it costs to restore, and when it's gone for good.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/renewing-an-expired-domain/

When a domain expires, it doesn't disappear straight away. You have time to renew it, but your website and email can stop working, and the longer you wait, the more it costs.

## How long you have

| Domain | Grace period: renew at the normal price | Redemption: restore for a fee | Then |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `.com` and most international domains | 30 days after expiry | Next 30 days | Pending delete, then released to the public |
| `.ng` and `.com.ng`, `.org.ng` etc. | 60 days after expiry (suspended from day 31) | Next 28 days, **₦150,000** restoration fee | Pending delete, then released to the public |

During the grace period the renewal costs the same as a normal renewal. In redemption, you pay a restoration fee on top of the renewal. Once the domain reaches **pending delete**, nobody can recover it, not even us.

## Renew in the grace period

1. Log in to the [client area](https://dashboard.ruachost.com).
2. Go to **Domains → Renew Domains**, or open **Domains → My Domains** and select the domain.
3. Choose the domain and how many years to renew, then click **Order Now**.
4. Pay the invoice.

Your domain is renewed as soon as the invoice is paid. If your website or email had stopped, they usually start working again within a few hours as DNS updates.

## Restore a domain in redemption

A domain in redemption can't be renewed from the client area. [Open a support ticket](https://dashboard.ruachost.com/submitticket.php) with the domain name and we'll send you an invoice for the restoration fee and renewal. We restore the domain once it's paid.

For `.ng` domains, the restoration fee is **₦150,000**. For `.com` and other international domains, [contact us](https://dashboard.ruachost.com/submitticket.php) for the current restoration fee.

## Never let it expire

- Turn on **auto-renew**: open the domain in **Domains → My Domains** and select **Auto Renew**.
- Keep a payment method on file, and make sure your account email address is one you check. Renewal reminders go there.
- Renew for several years at once. You can renew for up to 10 years for most international domains, and up to 5 years for `.ng`.

## Related articles

- [Renewing a domain purchased from Ruachost](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/guides/renewing-a-domain-purchased-from-ruachost-com/)
- [Domain life cycle for .com and other international domains](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/domain-life-cycle-for-com-and-other-international-domains/)
- [.ng domain name life cycle](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/ng-domain-name-life-cycle/)
- [All about .ng domains](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/ng-domains/)