Recover my domain
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Hello, I just cancelled my domain renewal with WordPress because I wanted to transfer it to a different registrar. Now that I’ve cancelled it, there is no option to see it and transfer to another registrar. When I ask the support assistant, it tells me that human support is only for paid plans and that I need human support to recover.
How do I contact WordPress to get the support? Thank you.
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi @nachdakwale,
I’m just a volunteer community member (not WordPress.com staff), but I can share some guidance to help.
When a domain renewal is cancelled, the domain usually goes into an expiration process and disappears from your dashboard. To recover or transfer it, you’ll need WordPress.com staff assistance. Since staff support is available only with a paid plan, here’s what you can do:
- Check if the domain is still visible under My Site → Upgrades → Domains: Manage Domains.
- Read this guide about what happens when domains expire: Domain Expiration and Renewal.
- If you’d like to transfer the domain, here’s the official guide: Transferring a Domain to Another Registrar.
- To reach human support, you’ll need to have an active paid plan (even the Personal plan works). You can upgrade temporarily here: Plans and Pricing. Once you have a plan, you’ll get access to live chat and email support.
Since domains can enter redemption quickly, I recommend acting as soon as possible so you don’t lose the domain.
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Thank you. This was a poorly designed experience by WordPress.
During the cancel process, I was asked the reason for cancellation. I selected transfer to another registrar. After cancellation, there is no option to transfer to another registrar. Had I known that there would be downtime, I would not have chosen to cancel.
Hopefully someone on the WordPress team will find this and consider a change to the user experience.
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Hi @nachdakwale,
I completely understand your frustration the flow can definitely feel confusing. Just to clarify, cancelling a domain at WordPress.com actually removes it from your account rather than preparing it for transfer. That’s why the option to transfer disappeared after cancellation.
The safest way is usually to start the transfer process first (without cancelling renewal), so that the domain remains active until it moves to the new registrar.
Since your domain is already in the cancellation/expiration process, the only way forward is to get WordPress.com staff involved. That does require a paid plan to access live chat or email support: Plans and Pricing. Once you have staff support, they can check if your domain is still in a recoverable state and help you move it.
For future reference, here’s the official guide on how to correctly transfer domains: Transferring a Domain to Another Registrar.
I hope this helps clarify why it happened and gives you the next step to recover your domain.
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As said above, you needed to transfer the domain rather than cancel it. I have added a modlook tag for staff assistance
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Hi @nachdakwale,
We’ve replied to your inquiry via the email address associated with your WordPress account regarding how to restore your cancelled domain. Please check your email and respond there for continued support.
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Hi @adusman402,
I checked my inbox but did not receive any emails yet. I have also checked spam.
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Hello, @nachdakwale!
I’ve just resent the email to help restore your domain. Please check your inbox, and also your spam or junk folder just in case.
If you don’t see it or still need help, please reply to the email we sent or contact us directly at help@wordpress.com, and we’ll be happy to continue from there.
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