STUDENTS
arnold on May 03, 2023
Google Cloud Hosting offers a generous 45-day free trial, but once that trial expires, your website will automatically be taken offline. If you’re not ready to pay for hosting yet, don’t worry! There are a few simple steps you can follow to get your website back up and running.
This guide will show you how to get your website back after your Google Cloud Hosting free trial expires.
First you need to log into your Google Cloud Hosting.
At the top you will see a message saying that your Google Cloud hosting expired. To the right you will see and option to “UPGRADE.” Click that. Please note that in this class we signed up for Google Cloud with the free parameters. You should not be charged for hosting. I have had students get charged a dollar or two in the past so keep an eye out on your account to make sure you do not get charged.
Next you will need to check that you still have an IP address. Most of the time your IP address will be switch to NULL.
At the top of Google Cloud, in the search box, search for “Deployment manager.” You will see it in the dropdown. Click “Deployment Manager.”
This will bring up your deployments. Click on the deployment you created for your website.
Next check the Site Address to see what the IP address is. Most of the time you will get a NULL site address.
If you get a NULL site address please complete these instructions here:
How To Fix A Null Site Address <— Click Here
If you have an IP address check the url of your website to see if your website loads. If so, you are done. If your website still does not work then please continue with the instructions.
What To Do After You Have An IP Address In Google Cloud
Unfortunately, if your Google Cloud expires then your IP Address will change 99% of the time.
You will need to go back to your registrar and update your IP address.
For my guides, we use Namecheap. Log into Namecheap and find your advanced dns settings. To do this first click MANAGE next to your URL.
Then click ADVANCED DNS.
Now you need to update just your IP address. Everything else can stay the same. Make sure to click the green checkmark when done.
Now wait about 5 minutes and your website will be back up and running.
