What happens when my domain expires?

When a .ga.nu domain reaches the end of its paid term and isn’t renewed, GA.NU will progressively restrict services and eventually release the name for others to register. This article explains the timeline, what changes at each stage, and how to recover your domain.

Note: The dates shown in your GA.NU dashboard are authoritative and may differ slightly from the general timelines below. Renewal pricing and fees vary by plan; see your billing screen for current amounts.

At a glance: the expiration lifecycle

Day 0 (Expiration date)
- If Auto‑renew is enabled and payment succeeds, your term is extended and no interruption occurs.
- If not renewed, the domain status becomes Expired. Custom DNS records are paused and replaced with a temporary GA.NU parking profile. Your website, email, and other DNS‑dependent services may stop within a short period.
Days 1–30: Grace Period
- You can renew the domain at the standard renewal price. No extra recovery fee applies.
- DNS remains parked; zone editing and transfers are restricted until renewed.
Days 31–60: Redemption Period
- The domain enters Redemption Hold. It no longer resolves publicly.
- You can still recover the domain, but a redemption recovery fee (in addition to renewal) may apply.
Days 61–65: Pending Delete
- The domain is scheduled for release. No further changes or recoveries are possible.
Day 66+: Release
- The domain becomes available for registration by anyone. Past DNS and configuration data may be purged.

What changes when a domain expires

DNS and website
- GA.NU pauses your custom DNS zone and applies a temporary parking profile. Your site and any records (A/AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) stop responding.
- If you reactivate during Grace Period, your previous zone is restored.
Email
- MX records and related email services stop working. Messages to your domain may bounce.
SSL/TLS and HSTS
- Certificates that rely on your domain stop validating; browsers may show security warnings. If your site uses HSTS, users may be unable to click through.
Integrations and forwards
- URL forwarding, dynamic DNS, and templated DNS profiles are disabled until renewal.
Account and billing
- We attempt auto‑renew on or just after the expiration date if a valid payment method is on file. If payment fails, we’ll notify your account email and continue to remind you during Grace and Redemption.

Recovering an expired domain

During Grace Period (Days 1–30)

Cost: Standard renewal price.
How to restore:
1. Sign in to your GA.NU account.
2. Go to Domains → select your expired domain.
3. Click Renew, choose the term (e.g., 1 year), and complete payment.
4. Wait a few minutes for DNS to reactivate; allow additional time for DNS caches to update.

During Redemption Period (Days 31–60)

Cost: Renewal price + redemption recovery fee.
How to restore:
1. Open the domain in your GA.NU dashboard.
2. Click Restore Domain or contact Support if the button isn’t available.
3. Pay the redemption fee plus the renewal fee.
4. Restoration typically completes within minutes, but DNS propagation can take longer.

Pending Delete (Days 61–65)

Recovery is no longer possible. The domain is scheduled for release and cannot be renewed, restored, or modified.

After Release (Day 66+)

The domain is publicly available for registration. If someone else registers it, prior ownership cannot be reinstated.

Practical examples

Example 1: Auto‑renew succeeds
- Expiration date: March 15
- Auto‑renew attempts on March 15 and succeeds. Your domain term extends, and services continue uninterrupted.
Example 2: Renew during Grace Period
- Expiration date: March 15
- March 20 (Day 5): You renew at the standard price. Your DNS zone is restored within minutes. Some users may still see the parked page briefly due to DNS caching (usually up to 24–48 hours, depending on prior TTLs).
Example 3: Restore during Redemption
- Expiration date: March 15
- April 25 (Day 41): You restore the domain. You pay the redemption fee plus renewal. Services resume after restoration and DNS propagation.
Example 4: Domain is released
- Expiration date: March 15
- May 20 (around Day 66): The domain is released. Anyone can register it. Your previous configuration and content are not recoverable via GA.NU.

How to prevent expiration

Enable Auto‑renew
- In your domain settings, toggle Auto‑renew on and keep a valid payment method on file.
Keep contact info current
- Ensure your account email is up to date so you receive renewal notices.
Renew early for multi‑year coverage
- You can renew at any time; added time stacks on top of your current term.
Monitor billing alerts
- Watch for failed payment notifications and update cards promptly.

Frequently asked questions

Will my site go down immediately at expiration?
- Services typically stop within a short time after expiration as we apply a parking profile. Exact timing can vary. Renewing during Grace Period is the fastest way to restore service.
Are my DNS records deleted when the domain expires?
- We preserve your zone during Grace and Redemption but keep it inactive. If you renew or restore, we reactivate your previous records. After final release, historical data may be purged.
Do you charge a fee to restore during Redemption?
- Yes, a redemption recovery fee may apply in addition to the renewal price. Check your domain’s billing panel for the exact amount.
How long does DNS take to work again after I renew?
- We re-enable your zone within minutes. However, DNS caching by resolvers and browsers can delay changes for up to 24–48 hours, depending on prior TTLs.
Can I transfer an expired domain?
- Transfers are restricted after expiration. Renew first, then initiate a transfer.

Key takeaways

Renew before the expiration date (or enable Auto‑renew) to avoid downtime.
Grace Period (Days 1–30): Standard renewal, no recovery fee.
Redemption (Days 31–60): Restorable with a redemption fee.
Pending Delete (Days 61–65): No recovery options.
After Day 66: Released to the public; prior ownership can’t be reclaimed.