Home Domain & DNS Management Managing Domain Auto-Renewal: Preventing Unexpected Expirations

Managing Domain Auto-Renewal: Preventing Unexpected Expirations

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

Managing Domain Auto-Renewal: Preventing Unexpected Expirations

**Description:**Keeping your domain name renewed is essential for uninterrupted website and email service. This guide explains how domain renewal settings work, how to enable or disable auto-renewal, and practical steps you can take to avoid unintended domain expirations or service interruptions. This article is designed for shared hosting customers with basic technical knowledge.

Why Domain Renewal Matters

A domain name is your website’s address. If it expires:

  • Your website and email may go offline
  • Visitors won’t be able to access your site
  • The domain could be registered by someone else

Proactive renewal management is critical to avoid downtime or loss of your domain.

Understanding Domain Renewal Settings

  • **Auto-Renewal:**Automatically renews your domain before it expires, using your saved payment method.
  • **Manual Renewal:**You must log in and renew the domain before the expiry date.
  • **Renewal Reminders:**Eco Web Hosting will send reminder emails ahead of expiration, regardless of your renewal setting.

How to Check and Manage Domain Auto-Renewal

Step 1: Log Into Your Client Area

  1. Go to Eco Web Hosting Client Area
  2. Enter your login credentials.

Step 2: View Your Domains

  1. Click on Domains > My Domains in the top menu.
  2. You’ll see a list of all your domains, their expiry dates, and renewal status.

Step 3: Edit Auto-Renewal Settings

  1. Find the domain you wish to manage.
  2. Click Manage next to the domain.
  3. Look for the Auto-Renewal section (usually in the sidebar or near the expiry date).
  4. Toggle the setting to:
    • Enable Auto-Renewal (recommended to prevent expiry)
    • Disable Auto-Renewal (you will need to renew manually)

> **Tip:**Domains with auto-renew enabled will attempt renewal several days before the expiry date.

Example: Enabling Auto-Renewal

  1. Domains > My Domains
  2. Click Manage next to mywebsite.com
  3. Under Auto-Renewal, click Enable
  4. Confirm your choice

How to Manually Renew a Domain

  1. Follow the steps above to Manage your domain.
  2. Locate the Renew Now button.
  3. Choose the renewal period (e.g., 1 or 2 years).
  4. Complete the payment process.

Best Practices to Prevent Expiration

  • **Keep Auto-Renewal Enabled:**This is the simplest way to avoid lapses.
  • **Maintain Up-to-Date Payment Details:**Ensure your saved card isn’t expired or declined.
  • **Whitelist Eco Web Hosting Emails:**Add our email address to your contacts so renewal reminders don’t go to spam.
  • **Check Your Domains Regularly:**Log in periodically to review upcoming expirations.

Troubleshooting: Common Issues

Auto-Renewal Failed

  • Possible Causes:
    • Expired or invalid payment method
    • Payment declined by your bank
  • Solution:
    1. Update your payment details in the client area.
    2. Retry the renewal or contact your bank if payment is being blocked.

Didn't Receive Renewal Reminders

  • Check your spam/junk folder
  • Update your contact email in the client area

Accidentally Disabled Auto-Renewal

  • Simply re-enable auto-renewal using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If My Domain Expires?

  • Your website and email will stop working immediately.
  • The domain enters a grace period (length varies by extension).
  • After the grace period, the domain may enter "redemption," which can require a fee to recover.
  • Eventually, it may be released and can be registered by someone else.

Can I Disable Auto-Renewal?

  • Yes, but you are responsible for renewing the domain before it expires.
  • We strongly recommend keeping auto-renewal enabled unless you are planning to let the domain lapse.

Example: Checking Expiry and Auto-Renew Status

1. Log in to your client area.
2. Go to Domains > My Domains.
3. Review each domain’s expiry date and auto-renew status.
4. Update as needed to prevent accidental expiration.

Additional Tips

  • If you host multiple domains, consider enabling auto-renewal for all key domains.
  • For resellers: Instruct your clients about the importance of renewal and auto-renewal settings.
  • Use calendar reminders as a backup to email notifications.

Need More Help?

If you have followed these steps and still have issues, please submit a support ticket with:

  • The affected domain name(s)
  • A description of the issue
  • Screenshots or error messages (if available)

Keep your domain active and your website online by managing your renewal settings today!