Glossary
Domain Expiry — Risks and How to Monitor It
Domain expiry occurs when a registered domain name is not renewed before its expiry date, causing it to lapse and potentially become available for anyone to register. An expired domain immediately stops resolving — taking down your website, email, and all DNS-dependent services. Most registrars offer a grace period of 30-45 days, but email often fails before the domain officially expires.
Expiry Risk Tiers
- Critical: under 30 days — act immediately
- Warning: 30-60 days — schedule renewal
- Safe: over 60 days — monitor regularly
How to Monitor Expiry
Use DomainPreflight WHOIS tool — shows exact expiry date and days remaining with colour-coded risk tier.
Check expiry in one lookup
Open WHOIS tool →FAQ
What happens when a domain expires?
It stops resolving — your website goes down, email stops working, and all DNS records become inaccessible. Most registrars offer a grace period but email often fails first.
How much notice do I get before a domain expires?
Most registrars send emails at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before expiry. Enable auto-renew to avoid expiry entirely.
Can someone steal my domain when it expires?
Yes. After the grace period, expired domains enter a redemption phase and then become available for anyone to register — including domain squatters.