How to Renew your WHC Domain Name

Overview

Renewing your domain with Web Hosting Canada (WHC) is essential to maintain continuous ownership and prevent your domain from expiring. The renewal process is simple and can be completed easily through your WHC Client Area.

Automatic Renewal Option

WHC offers an automatic renewal option to ensure your domain and services continue uninterrupted without manual intervention.

• Automatic Payment: Five days before your invoice's due date, WHC will automatically attempt to charge the credit card you have on file. This prevents your domain from expiring, avoiding disruptions to your website, email, or other services.
• Renewal Confirmation: After payment is processed, you'll receive a renewal confirmation email, confirming your domain has been renewed and your services will continue without interruption.
• Managing Automatic Renewal: You can manage your automatic renewal settings through your Client Area. 

How to Manage the Automatic Renewal Settings for Your Domain Name

1. Log in to your Client Area.
2. Navigate to the Domains section.
3. Select My Domains from the options.
4. Find the domain you want to manage and use the toggle to turn automatic renewal on or off as desired.

How to Renew Your Domain Name Manually

1. Log in to your Client Area
2. Navigate to the Domains section.
3. Select My Domains from the options.
4. Check the box next to the domain(s) you want to renew.
5. At the top of the page, click Renew Now.
6. Choose the number of years for renewal.
7. Click Checkout Now to complete your purchase.

What Happens If You Don't Renew on Time

If you don’t renew your domain on time, it enters a specific lifecycle (this lifecycle can vary depending on the TLD):

1. Expiration Date
   • Immediate Expiration: Your domain becomes inactive, and your website, email, and any services tied to the domain will stop functioning.
2. Grace Period
   • Duration: Typically lasts between 0 and 45 days after expiration.
   • Renewal Option: You can renew your domain at the regular renewal fee without penalties during this period, and your services will be restored.
3. Redemption Period
   • Duration: Lasts around 30 days after the grace period.
   • Higher Fees: You can reclaim your domain by paying a redemption fee in addition to the standard renewal cost.
   • Potential Risk: If you fail to renew during this period, your domain is at risk of being permanently lost.
4. Pending Deletion
   • Duration: Lasts around 5 to 7 days after the redemption period.
   • No Recovery: Your domain is scheduled for deletion, and you can no longer reclaim it. You must wait for the domain to be released to the public.
5. Domain Becomes Available
   • Release to the Public: After the pending deletion phase, the domain is deleted and becomes available for anyone to register.
   • Risk of Losing the Domain: Valuable domains may be quickly registered by others, including domain squatters or competitors.