How to Renew Your Domain Before It Expires in India

Your domain is about to expire.

You got the email. Maybe you ignored it. Life gets busy.

But here’s the thing: losing your domain isn’t just annoying. It’s devastating.

Your website goes offline. Your emails stop working. Years of SEO rankings? Gone. Someone else can grab your domain. And getting it back costs a fortune.

However, the good news is that renewing your domain name in India is simple. It takes less than 10 minutes.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to renew your domain before it expires. 

You’ll learn the renewal process, what happens if you’re late, and smart ways to never miss a deadline again.

Let’s protect what you’ve built.

How Domain Expiry Works

Think domain expiry is instant? It’s not.

There’s a timeline, involving a series of three stages, whereby each gives you a chance to get your domain before someone grabs it. 

Such stages include: 

1) The Grace Period

Most registrars give you 30-45 days after expiry. Your domain still works during this time. Your website stays live. Your emails keep flowing.

But you’ll pay the standard renewal fee. Sometimes a bit more.

S, this is the best time to redeem your domain. Use it.

2) The Redemption Period

Miss the grace period? Now you’re in redemption territory.

This typically lasts 30 days. Your website goes dark. Your domain gets parked. But you can still recover it.

But there’s a catch!

You’ll pay a redemption fee to get your domain back, which in India can range from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000. That’s on top of the renewal cost.

3) Pending Deletion

After redemption comes the final stage. Your domain enters a 5-day pending deletion phase.

Unfortunately, now you can’t recover it anymore. The registrar releases it back to the public pool, and anyone can register it, including your competitors.

Steps to Renew Your Domain Name Before It Expires

Renewing your domain name is straightforward. Follow these steps exactly.

1) Log In to Your Domain Registrar Dashboard

First things first. You need access to your registrar account.

Your registrar is where you bought the domain. Could be Truehost, GoDaddy, BigRock, or someone else.

So, open your browser, head to the registrar’s website, and click “Login” or “Sign In.”

Can’t remember your password? Hit “Forgot Password”  and check your registered email for the reset link.

Pro tip: If you’re using a work email that no longer exists, contact customer support immediately. They’ll help verify your identity and update your credentials.

2) Check the Exact Expiry Date and Renewal Window

Once you’re logged in, find your domain management section.

Look for “My Domains” or “Domain Management.”

You’ll see all your registered domains listed, each one showing an expiry date. Check it carefully. Don’t rely on memory.

Some registrars show a countdown. “Expires in 15 days.” Others display the exact date.

Then, note down when your renewal window opens. Some registrars let you renew 90 days before expiry, while others allow just 30 days.

3) Choose the Renewal Duration

Here’s where you decide. One year, two years, or more?

Most people pick one year. It’s the cheapest upfront option.

But think strategically.

Multi-year renewals often come with discounts. For instance, you save money per year, plus you don’t have to think about renewal again for a while.

So, I recommend you go for at least two years because digital payment issues happen. Cards expire. Bank details change. UPI limits get hit.

Even better, if your domain is critical for business, go for five years. The peace of mind is worth it.

4) Confirm and Complete the Payment Securely

It’s time to pay.

Your registrar will show you the total cost, including the renewal fee plus GST (usually 18% in India).

So, review the amount and make sure it matches what you expected. Then, choose your preferred payment method and complete paying for the domain.

After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation. 

Screenshot it and save the transaction ID, as that acts as your proof if anything goes wrong.

5) Verify That Your Domain Status Updates

Payment done? Next, you need to confirm the renewal actually went through.

Stay in your registrar dashboard, refresh the page after a few minutes, and check your domain’s new expiry date. 

It should now be one year (or more) ahead.

Also, look at the domain status and confirm it says “Active” or “Registered.”

In case it still shows “Expiring Soon,” something went wrong, so contact customer support immediately with your transaction ID ready.

Of course, don’t panic.

Most issues resolve within hours. But don’t assume everything’s fine without checking.

Essential Tips to Avoid Domain Expiration in India

Renewal is easy, but remembering to renew? That’s the hard part.

Here’s how to ensure you never miss renewing your domain name.

1) Enable Auto-Renew to Prevent Missed Payments

This is the single best thing you can do.

Auto-renewal automatically charges your payment method before expiry. So, your domain stays active with no manual intervention needed.

Here’s how to enable it:

Go to your domain settings in your registrar dashboard, look for “Auto-Renew” or “Automatic Renewal,” then toggle it on.

Done!

However, make sure you have sufficient funds. If the payment fails, you’re back to square one.

2) Keep Your Payment Methods Updated

Your card expires. You switch banks. You close an old account.

These things happen.

That’s why you should check your registrar account every few months and verify that your payment details are current.

Even better, you can add a backup payment method where the registrar lets you link multiple cards or payment options.

3) Update Your Email Address in Your Registrar Account

Renewal reminders go to your registered email.

That means if that email is dead, you won’t know your domain is expiring.

So, check your registrar account right now and confirm your email is current.

You can use a personal email you’ll always have access to. Not a work email tied to a specific company or a temporary address.

4) Turn On SMS and Email Notifications

Most registrars offer multiple notification channels.

Email is standard, but SMS adds another layer of security.

In India, SMS delivery is reliable. Even if you miss emails, you’ll likely see a text.

So, enable both such that you can get reminders at 60 days, 30 days, 15 days, and sometimes even 7 days before expiry.

5) Renew Early

Waiting until the last minute is risky. Payment gateways fail. Banks have downtime. Internet connections drop.

So, if your domain powers your business, don’t gamble.

Renew as soon as your renewal window opens. Usually 60-90 days before expiry.

Yes, you’re paying slightly earlier. But you eliminate all risk.

What to Do If Your Domain Has Already Expired

If, unfortunately, your domain has expired, panic won’t help, but quick action will.

First, check which stage your domain is in.

Still in Grace Period?

You’re lucky. Renew immediately through your registrar dashboard.

Follow the same steps we covered earlier, pay the renewal fee, and your domain will come back online within hours.

In the redemption period?

Contact your registrar’s customer support. Ask about redemption fees and the process.

However, be prepared to pay extra, something around ₹5,000-15,000 plus the renewal cost.

It’s expensive. But it’s still cheaper than losing the domain forever.

Already deleted?

This is the worst-case scenario. Your domain is back in the public pool.

Check if it’s been registered by someone else, using a WHOIS lookup tool.

If it’s available, register it immediately. But know this: you’re starting from scratch. Previous history, SEO value, everything is gone.

However, if someone else grabbed it, you can try to buy it from them, but be prepared for domain parking services that charge premium prices.

Final Recommendations for Indian Domain Owners

Your domain is your digital address. Protect it like you would your physical property.

Here’s what I want you to do today:

Log in to your registrar account. Check every domain’s expiry date. Set calendar reminders for 90 days before each one.

You also need to enable auto-renew on all critical domains and update your contact information, including current email, current phone number, and current payment method.

The best thing is that, at Truehost, we’ve made domain registration and management simple for Indian businesses. 

Our dashboard gives you complete control. Our support team is available when you need help. And our renewal reminders ensure you never miss a deadline.