How to Recover GoDaddy Expired Domain

Successfully recovering an expired GoDaddy domain depends on the time that has passed since you canceled or failed to pay. The longer that is, the lower the chances, until you eventually lose rights to it. But if luck is on your side and no one claims it after GoDaddy releases its hold, you can buy it again. Additionally, you can contact a new owner and send a reasonable offer if the domain is crucial for you. In other words, while acting promptly is strongly recommended, hope is never truly lost. With that said, let’s get into how to recover GoDaddy expired domain. 

GoDaddy domain expiration timeline

Here’s what happens at GoDaddy based on the number of days since the domain expired:

• 1-5 days. GoDaddy attempts to auto-renew but you suffer no penalties.
• 5-19 days. GoDaddy tries to auto-renew again, and if it fails, it parks the domain. Your site and e-mail won’t work, but you can renew the domain anytime.
• 19 days. They put your domain on hold. It’ll be in your account, but inactive. You’ll also have to pay a small redemption fee upon renewal.
• 26 days. They begin auctioning off your domain name. You can bid for it or renew with a redemption fee.
• 30 days. If there are no active bids, GoDaddy returns the domain to your account. You’ll have to pay a redemption fee to renew it, and only if no one else bids on it meanwhile.
• 36 days. Domain enters a final closeout auction. The situation is identical to the previous one, except that you can partake in a bidding war.
• 41 days. If no winning bids are made, you can still renew with a bonus fee.
• 72 days. GoDaddy removes the domain from your account and renewal is impossible. If no one else occupies it, you can purchase it again.

Recover GoDaddy expired domain via account Dashboard

Follow these steps to recover an expired GoDaddy domain:

1. Visit GoDaddy Domain Control Center and sign in with your GoDaddy account username/Customer Number and password.
2. Tip. If you’re having trouble logging in, check our GoDaddy account recovery guide.
3. Click on Expiration in the top left corner, above the list of domains.
4. Select Expired from the list.
5. Put a checkmark in front of the domain name you’re renewing. You can also click on Select All if there are multiple domains you want to renew.
6. Click on Renew, then Renew again to confirm.
7. Optional. Clicking on Consolidate Expiration Dates option below Renew allows you to synchronize multiple domains so that they expire simultaneously.
8. Configure your renewal settings, and confirm you’d like to pay redemption fees, if applicable.
9. Click on Checkout, finish paying, and you’ve successfully recovered an expired domain on GoDaddy.
10. Tip. You can click on Turn on Auto Renew if you don’t want to repeat this procedure after the domain expires.
11. Tip 2. If your domain name is ccTLD, regulated TLD, highly regulated TLD, or special safeguard TLD, you might have to fulfill other requirements before using it again.