Restoring a domain
How to restore your domain after it has expired
When a domain is not renewed on time, it is deleted from our database, usually between 1 and 40 days after its expiration date (depending on the extension), in accordance with the rules of the registries involved.
For some extensions, however, it is still possible to reactivate a domain by restoring it at the registry via our services.
To check whether your domain is still "restorable", go to the Whois database:
If the domain's status appears as "Redemption Period" or "Pending Delete Restorable", the domain must be restored before it can be reactivated.
How to restore a domain name
In most cases, the domain can be restored online, via your account:
- Go to the "Domains" section of the user or organization that owns the domain, or click on the "View all products" link on your account's Dashboard.
- If you have restorable domains, you'll see them in the "Restorable" tab at the top of the page (or in the product list, the button on the right will specify possible course of action).
- Click on the "Restore" button next to the domain in question to add it to the shopping cart.
- Click on the "Cart" icon in the top right-hand corner to proceed to checkout.
If the domain isn't listed, try renewing at shop.gandi.net/en/ and you'll see the restoration price.
Why is it so expensive?
Restoration rates are higher than renewal rates, because Gandi is charged more by the Registries for this operation, which they consider to be "exceptional". Although we would like to offer this operation at a lower cost, we are charged more and therefore have to recover fees charged to us.
How to recover a domain name
By "recover" we mean that the domain has surpassed its redemption date and is now in the "pending delete" phase at the registry. Please note that most registries do not automatically delete domains at the end of the deletion period (usually 5 days).
If the domain has been put back on the market, you can then register it at its base price.
However, if in the meantime the domain has been registered by someone else, you have no rights to it. If it is a registered trademark, you will need to contact the Registry directly to file a dispute.