How to Check Domain Expiry Dates

This article explains how to check when your domain name expires so you can renew it before it stops working.

Check Through Your Domain Registrar Account

The most reliable way to check your domain's expiry date is through your domain registrar account. A domain registrar is the company where you bought your domain name.

1. Find your domain registrar details. Check your emails for the domain purchase confirmation, or look at your billing records.

2. Log into your registrar account. Visit their website and sign in using the email address and password you used when buying the domain.

3. Navigate to your domains list. Look for sections called "My Domains", "Domain Management", or "Account Dashboard".

4. View expiry information. Your domain's expiry date should be clearly shown next to the domain name.

If you can't remember which company you bought your domain from, check the next section.

Use WHOIS Lookup Tools

WHOIS is a public database that shows information about domain names, including when they expire.

1. Open your web browser and search for "WHOIS lookup" or "domain WHOIS check".

2. Choose a WHOIS lookup website. Many websites provide this service for free. Look for well-known options like whois.net or whois.ie for Irish domains.

3. Enter your domain name in the search box. Type just the domain name (like "yourbusiness.ie"), not the full website address.

4. Review the results. Look for "Expiry Date", "Expiration Date", or "Registry Expiry Date" in the results.

The WHOIS results will also show your domain registrar's name, which helps if you need to log into their system.

Check Your Email for Renewal Notices

Most domain registrars send reminder emails before your domain expires.

1. Search your email for messages from your domain registrar.

2. Look for subject lines containing words like "renewal", "expiry", "expiration", or your domain name.

3. Check your spam folder as these emails sometimes get filtered incorrectly.

These emails typically arrive 30-60 days before your domain expires.

What Happens When Domains Expire

When a domain expires, your website stops working and your email addresses stop receiving messages. You usually have a grace period of 30-60 days to renew an expired domain before it becomes available for others to register.

If you're using a custom domain with Web60, make sure to renew it before it expires to avoid website downtime. If you need help connecting a renewed domain, see our guide on how to connect your custom domain to Web60.

If you're still stuck checking your domain expiry date, contact Web60 support and we'll help you find the information you need.

FAQ

Q: How far in advance should I renew my domain?

A: Renew your domain at least 2-4 weeks before it expires. This gives you time to fix any payment issues and prevents your website from going offline.

Q: Can I renew my domain after it expires?

A: Yes, most domains can be renewed for 30-60 days after expiry, but your website won't work during this time. Some registrars charge extra fees for late renewal.

Q: Why can't I find my domain registrar information?

A: Try searching your emails for the domain name or check bank statements for payments. If you still can't find it, use a WHOIS lookup tool to identify the registrar.

Q: What's the difference between domain expiry and hosting expiry?

A: Domain expiry means your website address stops working. Hosting expiry means your website files are no longer accessible. Both need to be renewed separately unless you have them with the same company.

Q: Can Web60 renew my domain for me?

A: Web60 can only renew domains that were transferred to us. If your domain is with another registrar, you'll need to renew it through them or transfer it to Web60 first.

Q: How long do domains last when I renew them?

A: Most domains renew for one year, but you can often choose to renew for multiple years (up to 10 years) to avoid forgetting about future renewals.