Introduction
A .ie domain stays registered only while it is renewed. If the renewal is not paid by the expiry date, the domain goes through a set series of stages before it is released for anyone to register. This article explains each stage, what happens to your website and email, and how to renew or recover your domain.
The .ie expiry timeline
Days are counted from the domain’s expiry date.
| When | What happens | Can it be renewed? |
|---|---|---|
| About 14 days before expiry | Your renewal invoice is issued | Yes, at the normal renewal price |
| Expiry to day 30 | The domain keeps working | Yes, at the normal renewal price |
| Day 30 | The domain is suspended. Any website and email using it stop working | Yes, at the normal renewal price until day 40. We reactivate it once it is renewed |
| Day 40 | The domain is deleted and enters a 30-day redemption period | Yes, but a restore fee applies in addition to the renewal |
| Day 70 | The redemption period ends | No. The domain can no longer be recovered |
| About day 75 | The domain is released | Anyone can register it |
What happens to your website and email
Your website and email keep working for the first 30 days after expiry. From day 30 the domain is suspended, so your website will not load and email sent to your addresses will not be delivered. Both start working again once the domain is renewed and reactivated.
How to renew your domain
Pay the renewal invoice in the SmartHost client area. See Logging in to the SmartHost Customer Portal. If the invoice is no longer showing, please contact our support team and we will arrange the renewal.
About the restore fee
When a domain is restored from its redemption period, the .ie registry charges a restore fee. We pay this fee to the registry on your behalf so your domain can be restored. The fee is set by the registry, and SmartHost has no control over it. Restoring a domain is also a manual process, so a small additional charge is included to cover the work involved. The restore fee is shown on your invoice.
How to avoid suspension and the restore fee
- Renew before the expiry date.
- Turn on auto-renewal. See How to Change Auto-Renewal Status for a Domain.
- Keep your contact and payment details up to date in the client area, so renewal notices reach you.
Other domain extensions
Domains such as .com, .net and .eu have their own grace and redemption periods, set by their registries, and the number of days varies by extension. A restore fee also applies to most extensions once a domain enters redemption.
Need help?
Email support@smarthost.ie, or reply to any renewal email from us, and our team will help.
