{"id":22774,"date":"2026-08-29T06:29:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T04:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=22774"},"modified":"2026-08-29T06:29:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T04:29:56","password":"","slug":"renew-domain-let-hosting-expire","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe\/domains-dns\/domain-verlaengern-hosting-auslaufen-lassen\/","title":{"rendered":"Renew the domain and let the hosting expire \u2013 is that possible?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. A domain and web hosting are fundamentally two different services. You can therefore keep a domain registered or renewed even if you no longer need the corresponding web hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before ending the hosting, however, you should check which services are operated through it. In addition to the website, email accounts, databases, subdomains, or redirects in particular may depend on the previous hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Briefly explained:<\/strong> If you only no longer need the hosting, you don't automatically have to give up your domain for that reason. The domain can remain registered and later be connected to different hosting or another service, for example.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are domain and hosting separated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A domain is initially the registered name, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><code>meinefirma.ch<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Web hosting, on the other hand, provides the technical environment on which, for example, website files, databases, and email mailboxes are operated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A domain can therefore exist without a website being operated under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, a website can be hosted on a hosting server while the associated domain is registered with a different domain provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the fundamental relationships between domain and website under <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/website-domain-url-difference\/\">Website, Domain, and URL: What is the difference?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I keep only the domain at CURIAWEB?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. If you no longer need your web hosting, but want to keep your domain, the domain can generally continue to be managed and renewed separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important that you actually only stop the service that is no longer needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attention:<\/strong> If you want to keep the domain, you must not accidentally cancel the domain or stop its renewal. Domain and hosting should always be considered separately during a contract change.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to my website when the hosting ends?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your website is stored on the canceled hosting plan, it will no longer be available via that hosting environment once the plan is terminated or deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fact that the domain remains registered does not automatically preserve the website files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A domain contains neither the actual website nor its database. It merely uses the Domain Name System to point to the technical infrastructure through which the respective services can be accessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how this mapping works at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/dns-simply-explained\/\">DNS simply explained: How the Domain Name System works<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What will happen to my email addresses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the most important points before terminating web hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your email mailboxes are part of your previous hosting account, they will not remain active simply because you continue to renew the domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An address like<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><code>info@meinefirma.ch<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">requires, in addition to the domain, an e-mail service that processes the messages and provides the corresponding mailboxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> If you want to continue using your email addresses, clarify before terminating the hosting where they will be operated in the future. Do not terminate the existing hosting as long as required messages are still stored exclusively there.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I keep the domain even if there is no website running on it anymore?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A registered domain does not necessarily have to be connected to an active website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can keep a domain, for example, because you want to use it again later, because it matches your company or brand name, or because you want to prevent someone else from registering it after it is deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even a domain used exclusively for email does not necessarily need a public website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I connect the domain to hosting again later?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As long as the domain remains registered to you, it can be connected to a new hosting environment later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the constellation, either the domain's name servers or individual DNS records are adjusted for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the domain remains registered with one provider and the hosting is operated elsewhere, we explain the options at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/domain-bei-anderem-anbieter-mit-curiaweb-hosting-verbinden\/\">Keep domain with another registrar and connect to CURIAWEB Hosting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I have to change the nameservers when the hosting ends?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not just because of the termination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether a nameserver change is necessary depends on where the DNS zone will be managed in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It becomes problematic if the name servers used or the associated DNS zone are part of a hosting service that is completely deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the shutdown, it must then be clarified which DNS infrastructure will be responsible for the domain in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practical Tip:<\/strong> Before terminating a hosting account, check not only the website, but also the nameservers and the existing DNS zone. DNS records may still be required, especially for external email or cloud services, even though a website is no longer being operated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to my DNS records?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That depends on where the DNS zone is managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, DNS records can point to web servers, mail servers, external services, or verification services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical entries are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>A\nAAAA\nCNAME\nMX\nTXT\nCAA<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If DNS management is tied to the canceled hosting, you should document the required records before shutdown and set them up on the future DNS infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the individual record types under <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/dns-eintraege-a-aaaa-cname-mx-txt-caa\/\">DNS Records Explained: A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and CAA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I check my current DNS records?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the <a href=\"\/en\/dns-check\/\">CURIAWEB DNS-Check<\/a> can you check publicly visible DNS information of your domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is especially useful before making a change so that you can see which nameservers and important DNS records are currently being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find more information at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/dns-eintraege-pruefen\/\">Check DNS records: View current DNS configuration of a domain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I transfer the domain to another provider and cancel the hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Those are also two separate processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can transfer a domain to another domain registrar and then cancel the previous hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the sequence should be carefully planned if the website, email, or DNS are still operated via the previous hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A domain transfer does not automatically move website files, databases, or email mailboxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain the difference in detail at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/domain-transfer-to-curiaweb\/\">Domain transfer to CURIAWEB: How the transfer works<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need to transfer the domain if I change hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A hosting change does not require a domain transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The domain can remain registered with the current registrar and be connected to the new hosting via nameservers or DNS records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can be useful, for example, if you deliberately want to manage domain registration and hosting with different providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I continue to use only email and shut down the website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A domain can be used exclusively for email without running a public website under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this, a suitable e-mail service must still be available and the DNS zone must contain, in particular, the required MX and, if applicable, further authentication records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For email operations, for example, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can be relevant. We explain the basics at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/email-spamexperts\/spf-dkim-dmarc-hosting\/\">SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in Hosting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I keep just the website and no longer use email?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is also possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Website and email are technically separate services. If you no longer need email addresses under the domain, the website can continue to run as long as the corresponding DNS records correctly point to the web server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, unneeded email configurations should be deliberately removed or adjusted rather than leaving existing MX and authentication records behind unchecked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should I create a backup before resigning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there is still data on the hosting that you might need later, you should back it up before termination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may include in particular:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Website files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Databases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email messages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Configuration files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>further data stored in the hosting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the final termination of a hosting contract, do not rely on the possibility that deleted hosting data can be recovered later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attention:<\/strong> A domain renewal is not a backup. Domain registration does not preserve website files, databases, or email messages.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to SSL when hosting is terminated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL\/TLS certificate installed on the previous hosting is part of the technical configuration there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the domain is later connected to another hosting provider or service, a suitable HTTPS configuration or a valid certificate must be present there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domain registration itself does not automatically provide a website or an SSL certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I just \u201epark\u201c the domain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In common parlance, a registered domain that is not actively used for a website is often referred to as a parked domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technically, for example, the domain can exist without a public website, redirect to another address, or be used for other services such as email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which configuration makes sense depends on why you want to keep the domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why should I keep a domain that is no longer in use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For domains that were previously used for business, a further registration can make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Old links, bookmarks, email addresses, printed documents, or customers might still know the previous domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a domain is permanently deleted, it can generally become available for registration again after the protection and deletion phases applicable to the respective domain extension have expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain what happens during this process under <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/domain-expired-pending-redemption\/\">Domain expired: Redemption Period, Pending Delete and Restoration Explained<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I renew the domain for less than a year?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That depends on the domain extension and the available registration periods. With standard domain extensions, domains are not simply renewed on a monthly basis just because associated hosting was terminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domain and hosting terms are independent of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find more information at <a href=\"\/en\/help\/domains-dns\/domain-weniger-als-ein-jahr-registrieren-verlaengern\/\">Can I register or renew a domain for less than a year?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the logical order for terminating hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, check which services are currently running via the hosting. Back up the required website files, databases, and emails, and clarify where the website, email, and DNS should be hosted in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the domain is to continue to be used, the new technical environment should be prepared before the previous hosting environment is finally shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then check the website, DNS, and email. Only when all services that are still needed function independently of the old hosting or have been backed up should the no longer needed hosting be finally terminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if I only want to secure the domain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need neither a website nor email, but want to keep the domain name, simply continuing to register the domain is generally sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can decide later whether you want to use the domain again for a website, email, redirection, or another service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is crucial is that the domain continues to be properly renewed if you want to prevent it from becoming available again after deletion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can generally keep a domain registered or renewed even if you no longer need the associated web hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domain and hosting are technically separate services. Terminating the hosting should therefore not automatically be associated with a cancellation of the domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before shutting down the hosting, however, you must check whether website files, databases, or email mailboxes are still stored there. The DNS zone may also depend on the previous hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to reuse the domain later, it can be connected to a new hosting or email environment. A domain transfer is not strictly necessary just for a hosting change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you only no longer need the hosting, make sure not to accidentally cancel the domain as well\u2014and back up all required hosting and email data before the previous environment is terminated.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ja. Eine Domain und ein Webhosting sind grunds\u00e4tzlich zwei unterschiedliche Leistungen. Du kannst deshalb eine Domain weiterhin registriert beziehungsweise verl\u00e4ngert lassen, auch wenn du das dazugeh\u00f6rige Webhosting nicht mehr ben\u00f6tigst. Bevor du das Hosting beendest, solltest du allerdings pr\u00fcfen, welche Dienste dar\u00fcber betrieben werden. Neben der Website k\u00f6nnen insbesondere E-Mail-Konten, Datenbanken, Subdomains oder Weiterleitungen vom [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[82],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-22774","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-domains-dns"],"year_month":"2026-09","word_count":1871,"total_views":"3","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Silvio Mazenauer","author_nicename":"admin-curia","author_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/author\/admin-curia\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Domains &amp; DNS","term_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe-kategorie\/domains-dns\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22774"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22776,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22774\/revisions\/22776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=22774"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=22774"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}