# Keep Your Free Server Active

> How to extend your free server's runtime by watching ads, and what happens if your server expires.

> **Warning:** Free Tier servers have no automatic backups. If your server is deleted after the grace period, **Daki cannot recover your files or data**. Always keep a copy of your code in an external location such as GitHub.

## What you'll learn

- How the runtime counter and expiry system work
- How to extend your runtime by watching ads
- What happens during suspension and the grace period
- How to enable renewal reminders

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## How Runtime Works

Your free server runs on a **runtime counter** that starts at **3 days** when the server is created. Once the counter reaches zero, your server is suspended and eventually deleted unless you top it up.

| Stage | What happens |
| :--- | :--- |
| Runtime > 0 | Server runs normally |
| Runtime = 0 | Server is **suspended** — offline and inaccessible |
| 0–2 days after suspension | **Grace period** — you can still renew by watching ads |
| After 2 days without renewal | Server is **permanently deleted** |

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## How to Renew: Watch Ads

Extend your runtime by watching short ads in the Free Tier Dashboard at [dash.daki.cc](https://dash.daki.cc).

| Action | Runtime gained |
| :--- | :--- |
| Watch 1 ad (~2 minutes) | +3 days |
| Maximum ads per day | 2 |
| Maximum per day | +6 days |
| Maximum total runtime | 30 days |

### Steps

1. Log in at [dash.daki.cc](https://dash.daki.cc).
2. Navigate to your server in the dashboard.
3. Use the ad-watching or renewal option to add runtime.
4. Repeat up to twice per day.

> **Info:** Watching ads when you are already at 30 days does not add more time. The counter is capped at 30 days maximum.

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## Enable the Renewal Reminder

Go to the **Credentials** tab in the Free Tier Dashboard ([dash.daki.cc/credentials](https://dash.daki.cc/credentials)) and enable the **Server Renewal Reminder**. When active, the Daki Discord bot will send you a DM before your runtime is about to expire.

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## Best Practices

- **Watch ads daily.** Two ads per day keeps your runtime near the 30-day maximum with a comfortable buffer.
- **Enable the renewal reminder** so you never miss an expiry.
- **Back up your code externally** (e.g., on GitHub). Even if your server is deleted, your project is safe.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I recover my server after it has been deleted?**

No. Once the 2-day grace period ends and the server is deleted, the data is permanently gone. Daki cannot restore it.

**What happens to my files when the server is suspended?**

Your files remain on the server during the suspension and the grace period.

**Do paid plans expire the same way?**

No. Paid plans renew via credits or a saved payment method — not through ads. See [Billing & Payments](https://daki.cc/wiki/guides/billing) for details.

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## Next Steps

- [Portal Overview](https://daki.cc/wiki/guides/portal) — Learn how to access and manage your server.
- [File Manager](https://daki.cc/wiki/guides/file-manager) — Download your files before they are deleted.
- [Paid Plans](https://daki.cc/wiki/guides/paid-plans) — Upgrade to a paid plan to avoid the runtime system entirely.

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Source: https://daki.cc/wiki/guides/save-free-server-from-purge