ENS App and Explorer are on the Sepolia testnet. Features may change before mainnet.
Renewing adds time to a name's registration so it does not expire. If a name can be renewed in Explorer, a Renew button appears at the top right of its page.
Steps
Note: onchain changes cost gas — the network fee Ethereum charges to process a transaction. It goes to the network, not to ENS. In ENS Explorer it is paid in ETH from your connected wallet, and your wallet shows the exact fee before you approve. On app.ens.dev the fee is shown in the page as Network cost, and with Smart Sessions on there is no wallet prompt.
Open the name's page and select Renew (top right).
Choose how much time to add, or use Pick by date. The presets show the price per year and the discount for longer terms — about $8/yr for one year, falling to $4.50/yr at the longest term. The modal shows the extension length, the new expiry date and the total before you commit.
Select Next, then choose a payment method (e.g., USDC). Explorer shows your available balance. Select Confirm.
Explorer lists the steps it needs: first approve the stablecoin payment, then the renewal itself. Select Start, then Open wallet, and approve. Once the first confirms, the next prompt follows on its own; approve that too.
When both have confirmed, the Expires date on the name's page moves forward by the term you chose.
Common questions
Why are there two wallet prompts?
You pay in a stablecoin, not ETH. The first prompt gives ENS permission to take the amount from your stablecoin balance; the second does the renewal itself. Each costs a small amount of gas on top of the price of the renewal.
Why don't I see a Renew button?
Explorer renews ENSv2 names. ENSv1 names do not show a Renew button; renew those on the original testnet app at sepolia.app.ens.domains instead. Also check you have a wallet connected.
Does renewing a name make it mine?
No. Renewing only adds time to the registration; it doesn't transfer the name or give you any control over it. The owner stays the same.
What happens if a name expires?
There's a 28-day grace period after expiry during which anyone can still renew it for its owner, and the name does not resolve. After that, anyone can register it. For the first 21 days there is an extra fee that starts high and falls to $0. Full guides: Expiry & grace period · Price Cooldown.
Where do I see the expiry date?
On the name's page — the Expires line on the overview, and under the Ownership tab.
Can I let another wallet renew my name?
Anyone can renew a name without owning it, and renewing never transfers control. See Who can manage my name? Roles in ENS Explorer.