Overview
If your domain shows as Expired in the Levamo dashboard, it's no longer active, which means your site and any email tied to that domain stop working. Domains typically expire when they aren't renewed with the registrar before the renewal date.
Recovering a domain is handled entirely through your domain registrar, not through Levamo. Depending on how long the domain has been expired, you may be able to renew it at the standard price, or you may need to pay an additional redemption fee. Acting quickly matters: after a certain point, the domain becomes available for anyone else to register.
In this article, you will find why domains expire and step-by-step instructions for recovering yours.
Why domains expire
When a domain expires, it typically moves through the following phases:
Expiration: The domain is deactivated, and services like website access and email stop working
Grace period: Some registrars offer a window during which you can renew without additional fees
Redemption period: If the grace period ends, the domain enters a redemption period, where renewal may incur extra charges
Available to the public: After the redemption period ends, the domain becomes available for anyone to register
How to recover an expired domain
Step 1: Log in to your domain registrar
Visit the website of the registrar where your domain is registered, for example GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, and log in with the credentials associated with the domain.
Step 2: Locate the expired domain
Navigate to the Domains or My Account section in your registrar's dashboard. The exact layout depends on your registrar. Look for the expired domain in your list of registered domains.
Step 3: Check your renewal options
If the domain is still within the grace period, you can typically renew it at the standard renewal price. If it's in the redemption period, you may need to pay additional fees. Renewal options and pricing vary by registrar.
Step 4: Renew the domain
Select the expired domain and follow your registrar's instructions to renew it, which requires payment of the renewal or redemption fee.
Step 5: Update your domain's nameservers, if required
If your domain uses Levamo-managed nameservers, confirm they're still correctly pointed after renewal. See Nameservers and how to change them for instructions.
Step 6: Check the Levamo dashboard
Once your domain is active again, return to the Levamo dashboard, navigate to Domains, and click Refresh status for the expired domain.
If the domain's status doesn't update within a few hours, contact our support team for assistance.
Important information
Act quickly. Recovering your domain as soon as possible helps you avoid additional fees or losing it to another buyer entirely.
Renewal timelines and fees vary by registrar. Check your registrar's support page for their specific policies.
Consider auto-renewal. Enabling auto-renewal or setting reminders with your registrar helps you avoid expiration in the future.
Domain renewal is entirely independent of Levamo and must be handled directly through your domain registrar.
Helpful registrar links:
FAQ
What if I can't recover my domain?
If your domain has passed the redemption period and is no longer available for renewal, check whether it's available for purchase as a new registration, or look into a domain backordering service to try to reclaim it once it becomes available. You can also contact our support team for additional guidance.
Will my domain automatically reconnect to Levamo after I renew it?
Not automatically. Once your domain is active again with your registrar, return to the Levamo dashboard and click Refresh status on the domain to reconnect it.
Conclusion
Recovering an expired domain is usually straightforward if you act quickly: renew with your registrar, confirm your nameservers, and refresh the status in your Levamo dashboard. If you run into any issues, our support team is available 24/7 to help.