I deleted a domain and want to restore it.
A deleted domain can be restored up to 30 days after its deletion, depending on the domain extension. However, this incurs costs that will be displayed to you before the restoration in the client portal. If your account operates on a prepayment basis, it is therefore necessary to credit the corresponding amount or to deposit a SEPA direct debit mandate. Only then can you restore the domain.
You can restore a deleted domain as follows:
- Select the “Products” option in the left menu.
- In the “Products” menu, choose the sub-item “Domains”.
- Under the domain to be processed, select the option “Show details”. If you manage a large number of domains, you may first need to click “Show all” to get a complete overview of your domains.
- Click on the “Restore” button. This does not yet trigger the paid restoration. This must be confirmed in the next step.
- The costs for restoring the domain name will now be displayed to you in the interface. If you want to proceed with the paid restoration, check the box to confirm the acceptance of the costs and complete the process with the “Restore” button.
Please note that it may take a few minutes after the procedure for the domain to be normally accessible again.
Determine whether restoration is still possible
Before you invest time (or money) into a restore request, determine the domain’s current registry state. Domain restoration is not a single universal rule; it depends on the top-level domain (TLD) and the registry’s lifecycle. In practical terms, domains move through recognizable phases (active, expired, grace, redemption/restore, pending delete, released). Your goal is to confirm whether the domain is still in a recoverable phase or has already progressed beyond restoration. The most reliable way to do this is to check the domain’s status in your registrar’s interface (if available) and cross-check it with a WHOIS/RDAP lookup. Look for signals such as “redemption” or “pending delete,” and note any dates shown (expiry or deletion-related timestamps), because timing drives feasibility.
What information should you gather before requesting a restore
Having the correct information ready prevents delays, especially when time windows are short. Collect these details in advance:
- Approximate deletion/cancellation date (even a range helps)
- Whether it was a standalone domain or included in a package (affects internal handling and billing logic)
- Current registrant/contact expectations (whether ownership/contact data must remain the same)
- Whether DNS/email was in use (helps you plan the moment service resumes)
- Decision owner (who approves the redemption/restoration costs)
This preparation keeps the restore process transactional and fast: you can validate recoverability, approve costs, and execute without back-and-forth when minutes or hours matter.
Redemption period explained
“Redemption” is best understood as a registry-controlled recovery phase that may occur after a domain is deleted or expires. During this phase, the domain is typically no longer operating normally (DNS/email may not work as expected). However, the registry still holds it in a recoverable state, usually through the registrar. The key point is that redemption is not simply “undo delete.” It is a structured recovery workflow defined by the registry and may involve additional manual steps, validations, and fees. This is why users often experience redemption as “possible, but expensive and time-sensitive.” If the domain advances beyond redemption into the final deletion stage, restoration is usually no longer available through the registrar, leaving you with re-registration (which is not guaranteed).
Why does redemption cost more and cannot be treated as a regular renewal?
Redemption restores are commonly priced higher than standard renewals for reasons that are primarily outside the hosting provider’s control. In many registries, redemption triggers a special recovery process that includes additional registry fees and operational effort. From a practical standpoint, you should assume:
- Registry-level redemption fees are added to normal renewal costs.
- Additional processing steps may be required compared to a typical renewal (workflow differs by TLD).
- Payment must be settled quickly to avoid losing the recovery window.
- Restoration is not always available for every TLD, and rules vary significantly.
This is why helpdesk articles often emphasize that the costs are shown before execution and must be explicitly accepted. It is also why a restore request should be treated as a time-critical financial decision, not a routine billing action.
If restoration is no longer possible
If a domain has moved past the recoverable phases, you should switch immediately to contingency planning. The correct next step depends on whether the domain has already been released or is still in a “not restorable but not yet publicly available” state. Operationally, focus on these actions:
- Check availability frequently if the domain has not been re-registered yet (availability can change quickly).
- Prepare a replacement domain (alternate TLD, hyphenated variant, abbreviation, or brand-safe spelling) so you can continue your project without waiting.
- Document the business impact (brand, email identity, customer trust) to decide whether escalation is needed.
- Avoid relying on re-registration as a guaranteed recovery method—once a name is publicly available again, third parties may register it.
This section is intentionally pragmatic: once redemption is missed, the priority is speed, continuity, and risk control. Not perfect recovery.