Steam’s standard refund rule is straightforward: request a refund within 14 days of purchase, and keep recorded playtime below two hours. You can still submit a request outside those limits, but Steam reviews it case by case and does not promise approval. Use Steam Support to make the request; the steps and timing depend on what you bought and how you paid.
Does your Steam game qualify for a refund?
For a standard game purchase, Valve says it will issue a refund if you request it within 14 days of purchase and have played the game for less than two hours. The two-hour total includes online play, offline play, and use through Family Library Sharing, according to Steam’s Common Refund Questions.
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If you are outside either limit, you can still submit a request. Steam says it will review requests outside the stated rules, but that does not mean the request will be approved. If Steam denies a request and you believe the decision is mistaken, its FAQ says to submit another request with a detailed explanation.
How to request a Steam game refund
- Go to Steam Help and sign in to the account that bought the game.
- Open Purchases.
- Select the game purchase. If it does not appear in the list, Steam’s instructions say it may be too far outside the refund window to request through that route.
- Choose the issue that best describes your problem.
- Select I’d like to request a refund.
- Complete the form and submit it. Choose Steam Wallet or the original payment method if Steam offers that option for your purchase.
- Check your email for Steam’s submission confirmation and a separate message after the request has been processed.
Steam’s refund instructions state: “Even if you fall outside of the refund rules we’ve described, you can submit a request and we’ll take a look at it.” That is an invitation to request a review, not a guarantee of a refund.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
How the rules differ by purchase type
Pre-orders
You can request a refund for a pre-order any time before the game is released. After release, the standard 14-day period starts on the release date, and the game must have less than two hours of recorded playtime to meet the usual rule. For a redeemed gifted pre-order, Steam says the recipient must initiate the refund and approve removing the game from their account before the purchaser submits the request. See Steam’s pre-order refund instructions.
Steam Wallet funds
Wallet funding is separate from a game refund. Steam says funds purchased on Steam may be requested for a refund within 14 days if none of the funds have been used. Steam Wallet funds cannot be moved or gifted to another Steam account. See the Steam Wallet FAQ.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
In-game purchases
Steam’s Common Refund Questions page describes a 48-hour refund window for in-game purchases in Valve-developed games, provided the item has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Other developers may choose to offer refunds on those terms; check the item’s eligibility information at purchase. This policy is distinct from the standard game-purchase rule.
Where the refund goes and how long it takes
The request form offers a refund to Steam Wallet or the original payment method where available. Steam’s published guidance says an approved refund can take up to seven days to appear; Steam Wallet credit may take 24–48 hours, and international payment methods can take longer. These are expectations, not guarantees.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
If Steam approves a refund within 24 hours of the purchase, the original transaction may be canceled rather than followed by a separate credit. A pending bank-card charge may take time to disappear from your account. For details, consult Steam’s refund FAQ.
Steam refund or bank chargeback?
A Steam refund is a request made directly to Steam; a chargeback is a reversal initiated through your bank. For an unrecognized charge or suspected unauthorized payment, Steam directs customers to contact Steam Support. A chargeback is not the routine substitute for using Steam’s refund process.
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EU and UK withdrawal rights are a separate issue
Steam distinguishes its voluntary refund policy from statutory withdrawal rights. On its regional refund information page, Steam describes the digital-content withdrawal period as ending 14 days after purchase or when downloading first begins, whichever happens sooner. Steam also says its voluntary refund process may still provide a route to request a refund afterward. This is a general description of Steam’s stated regional policy, not individual legal advice.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
