Renew subscription resources before they expire to avoid service suspension or data loss. Pay-as-you-go resources do not require renewal — keep a sufficient account balance.
Impact of non-renewal
Expired subscription resources are suspended and eventually released. Once released, all data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Most cloud products go through three stages after expiration: grace period, suspension, and release and deletion.
-
Grace period: Lasts 1 to 15 days. The resource continues to provide service.
-
Suspension: The resource stops providing service. Data is retained.
-
Release and deletion: The system automatically releases the resource and permanently deletes all data.
A few cloud products are released immediately upon expiration. For example, an OSS resource plan with a fixed total amount is released when it expires. You can continue using OSS, and billing automatically switches to pay-as-you-go.
Expiration rules vary by product. The following table lists status changes for common cloud products after expiration.
|
Common products |
Grace period |
Suspension |
Release and deletion |
|
ECS/Simple Application Server |
Within 15 days of expiration |
After 15 days from expiration, the instance enters the suspended state. Data is retained. |
15 days after suspension, the instance is automatically released. Data cannot be recovered. |
|
ApsaraDB RDS |
None |
From day 1 to day 7 after expiration, the instance is locked and cannot be accessed. |
From day 8 to day 15 after expiration, computing resources are released. Data backups are retained. On day 16 after expiration, data is no longer retained. |
|
Tair (Redis compatible) |
Within 15 days of expiration |
From day 16 to day 30 after expiration, the instance is disabled and cannot be accessed. From day 31 to day 37, the instance status is Released, but the data is retained. |
On day 38, the instance is completely destroyed. Data is no longer retained and cannot be recovered. |
|
PolarDB |
Within 15 days of expiration |
15 days after expiration, the instance enters the suspended and locked state. It cannot be accessed. |
15 days after suspension, the cluster is released. Basic backups are deleted. Off-region data backups are retained. |
|
Edge Security Accelerator (ESA) Plan |
None |
15 days |
The resource is released 15 days after the plan expires. |
|
Web Application Firewall (WAF) |
None |
Within 15 days of expiration, protection stops. The instance configuration is retained. |
On day 16 after expiration, the instance is automatically released. |
How to renew
To renew a domain name or Alibaba Mail, go to the console of the corresponding product.
You can renew a resource before it is released. The instance status and service period vary depending on whether you renew before or after the expiration date:
-
Renew before expiration: The new service period starts from the end time of the previous subscription.
-
Renew after expiration:
-
If the resource is not yet suspended, the new service period starts from the end time of the previous subscription.
-
If the resource is already suspended, the new service period starts after the renewal is successful. You are not charged for the suspension period.
-
You can renew resources using manual renewal or auto-renewal.
|
Renewal method |
When to perform |
Policy |
|
Manual renewal |
Before the resource is released |
Initiate a renewal manually. The validity period extends immediately after payment. Each instance supports only one pending renewal order. You cannot start another renewal until the current order takes effect. |
|
Auto-renewal |
No later than 14 days after the resource expires |
Set a renewal period in advance. The resource is automatically renewed at a scheduled time before it expires. The system attempts to deduct payment for renewal 3 days before expiration, 1 day before expiration, on the expiration day, and 6 and 14 days after expiration. If a deduction fails, the system tries again at the next scheduled time point. If the deduction is still unsuccessful 14 days after expiration, the system stops trying. You must then renew the resource manually within the time frame specified by the product. You can cancel auto-renewal at any time after you enable it. |
Pay-as-you-go resources do not need to be renewed. Ensure that your account balance is sufficient to continue using them.
For auto-renewal, make sure your payment method is valid to ensure successful deduction.
To renew third-party products from Alibaba Cloud Marketplace, log on to the Alibaba Cloud Marketplace console or contact customer service.
Alibaba Cloud accounts have renewal permissions by default. Before a RAM user can perform renewal operations, the Alibaba Cloud account must grant the RAM user relevant permissions, such as AliyunBSSFullAccess or AliyunBSSRenewFullAccess.
Manual renewal
Renew resources in the console:
New console
-
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console. In the navigation pane on the left, choose Order > Resource Renewal.
-
Go to the Resource Renewal page. Click the Manual Renewal tab. Select the product to renew and click Renew. You can select multiple instances of the same cloud product for Batch Renewal to generate a single order.
-
On the renewal details page, select a Renewal Duration. The New Expiration Time is displayed. Then, click Confirm Order or Buy Now.
-
On the Payment page, confirm the order information and complete the payment.
You can also select Export Renewal List before manual renewal to get a price quote or apply for funds.
Legacy console
-
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console. In the navigation pane on the left, choose Renewal.
-
Go to the Renewal page. Click the Manual tab. Select the product to renew and click Renew. You can also select multiple instances of the same cloud product for Batch Renew to generate a single order.
-
On the renewal details page, select a Renewal Duration. The Expiration Time (After Renewal) is displayed. Then, click Confirm Order or Buy Now.
-
On the Payment page, confirm the order information and complete the payment.
You can also select Export Renewal List before manual renewal to download a list of fees for a price quote or to apply for funds.
You can also use an API for manual renewal. Call the RenewInstance operation to renew instances.
This API does not support the renewal of ECS, ApsaraDB RDS, or Tair instances. Use the dedicated renewal API for each product to perform the renewal.
Auto-renewal
Enable auto-renewal when purchasing a subscription resource. For example, on the ECS purchase page, select Enable Auto-renewal.
You can also configure auto-renewal in the Expenses and Costs console.
New console
-
Log on to the Resource Renewal page. On the Manual Renewal tab, select one or more products to renew, and then click Enable Auto-renewal.
-
On the Enable Auto-renewal page, configure the Auto-renewal Period and click Enable Auto-renewal. After auto-renewal is enabled, you can view the details on the Auto-renewal tab.
-
Go to the Auto-renewal tab. For instances with auto-renewal enabled, you can perform operations such as Cancel and Enable Manual Renewal.
-
Renew: Manually renew an instance that is set for auto-renewal. After a successful renewal, the system will perform auto-renewal according to the rules before the new expiration date.
-
Modify Auto-renewal: Change the auto-renewal period.
-
Do Not Renew: Do not renew the instance after it expires.
-
Restore to Manual Renewal: Switch the instance back to manual renewal.
-
Legacy console
-
Log on to the Renewal Management page. On the Manual tab, select one or more products to renew, and then click Enable Auto Renewal.
-
On the Enable Auto Renewal page, configure the Auto-renewal Period, and then click Enable Auto Renewal. After auto-renewal is enabled, you can view the details on the Auto-renewal tab.
-
Go to the Auto-renewal tab. For instances with auto-renewal enabled, you can perform operations such as Cancel and Enable Manual Renewal.
-
Renew: Manually renew an instance that is set for auto-renewal.
-
Modify Auto-renewal: Change the auto-renewal period.
-
Do Not Renew: Do not renew the instance after it expires.
-
Restore to Manual Renewal: Switch the instance back to manual renewal.
-
-
Enabling auto-renewal does not immediately renew the resource. It only sets the renewal period. The rule takes effect the next day.
-
If your resource expires the next day, auto-renewal will not be performed. Renew it manually.
You can call the SetRenewal operation to enable auto-renewal for an instance.
-
Enabling auto-renewal does not immediately renew the resource. It only sets the renewal period. The rule takes effect the next day.
-
If your resource expires the next day, auto-renewal will not be performed. Renew it manually.
After a successful renewal, you can log on to the Resource Renewal page. Click the Manual Renewal tab to view all instances enabled for manual renewal. Click the Auto-renewal tab to view instances enabled for auto-renewal.
If you have enabled the multi-account management feature for your enterprise, the management account (MA) can view the instances of member accounts on the Resource Renewal page but cannot perform operations on them.
Renewal recommendations
Pay attention to expiration and renewal reminders
The system sends you reminders by using internal messages and email 7 days, 3 days, and 1 day before expiration, on the expiration day, and one day before release. You can manage your subscriptions in the Message Center - Subscriptions.
Periodically check for expiring resources
Log on to the Resource Renewal page, find resources that are about to expire based on criteria such as Expiration Time and region, or enter a specific instance ID or search by instance status to renew them.
Unify ECS expiration dates for centralized renewal
Use the unify expiration date feature to renew all ECS instances to the same day of the month. The new billing cycle starts from the renewal date. Unify the expiration dates of subscription ECS instances.
Set to 'Do Not Renew' to reduce notifications
If you no longer need a resource after it expires, set it to 'Do Not Renew' to reduce expiration reminders. Back up your data before the expiration date.
-
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console and go to the Resource Renewal page.
-
On the Manual Renewal/Auto-renewal tab, find the resource that you do not want to renew.
-
In the Actions column, click Nonrenewal. Alternatively, select multiple resources of the same cloud product and click Set as Nonrenewal.
-
Switch to the Nonrenewal upon Expiration tab to view the resources that are set not to renew.
FAQ
Why can't I find the instance I want to renew on the renewal page?
-
If an instance does not support renewal, it is not displayed in the list on the renewal page. Common examples include:
-
Pay-as-you-go instances, which do not require renewal.
-
Instances that have already been released, which cannot be renewed.
-
-
Resource plan instances, which are renewed on the Resource Plan page.
-
Domain names, Alibaba Mail, and other products, which require you to go to their specific consoles from the Renewal Management page.
I enabled auto-renewal. Why did the renewal fail?
Auto-renewal only sets the renewal period — it does not trigger immediate renewal. The system attempts deduction 3 days before expiration, 1 day before, on the expiration day, and 6 and 14 days after. If all attempts fail due to insufficient account balance, add funds and renew manually.
I renewed the wrong resource. Can I get a refund?
Whether you can get a refund depends on whether the renewal order has taken effect. Log on to the Unsubscribe page to check the status of your renewal order:
-
If the order is on the Unsubscribe Renewal That Does Not Take Effect tab, the renewal order has not yet taken effect. You can apply for a full refund.
-
If the order is on the Unsubscribe Resource tab, the order has already taken effect. A partial refund will be issued for the remaining fees according to the non-full refund rules.
Refund details are covered in Unsubscription rules.
Why does a one-month renewal sometimes last 29, 30, or 31 days?
When you renew for one month, the expiration time is extended to 00:00 on the corresponding day of the next month. For example:
-
If a resource expires at 00:00 on January 31 and you renew it for one month, the new expiration date is February 29 (in a leap year) or February 28. Subsequent renewals will also expire on the 29th or 28th.
-
If a resource expires at 00:00 on February 1 and you renew it for one month, the new expiration time is 00:00 on March 1. The renewal period is 29 days (in a leap year) or 28 days.
-
If a resource expires at 00:00 on May 21 and you renew it for one month, the new expiration time is 00:00 on June 21. The renewal period is 31 days.
-
If a resource expires at 00:00 on June 1 and you renew it for one month, the new expiration time is 00:00 on July 1. The renewal period is 30 days.
What is the purpose of the 'Do Not Renew' feature?
The 'Do Not Renew' feature is typically used in two scenarios:
-
Scenario 1: Alibaba Cloud usually sends three notifications before suspension (the number may vary by product). Setting an instance to 'Do Not Renew' reduces these to a single notification.
-
Scenario 2: If your account has a partnership agreement that prevents suspension upon expiration, set specific instances to 'Do Not Renew' so they are suspended normally.
For other renewal-related questions, see Resource Renewal FAQ.