what to know
- Click Support > Purchases > View full purchase history > I want a refund > Submit a request .
- Requests made within 14 days of purchase and with less than two hours of recorded play time are generally eligible.
Finding and enjoying new games is easier than ever with Valve's game client, Steam. From the best AAA games to hidden indie gems, from alpha releases to beautiful products, there are thousands to choose from. However, not all games are created equal, and you may have purchased a game that you want to return. Here's what you need to know about refunds for Steam games.
Unlike buying a physical copy of a game, you can get a refund from Steam even if it's brand new, even if you're just returning it because you don't like it or you've played it for a long time.
While you can request a refund for any game, in most cases you'll only be able to get it back under very specific circumstances.
- General two-week, two-hour rule : As long as you request a refund within 14 days of purchase and play for no more than two hours, you'll almost always get a refund.
- Pre-ordered games : For games you pre-ordered, you can request a refund within 14 days of initial release and within the same game session (within two hours).
- Downloadable Content (DLC) : The same rules apply to DLC games purchased through Steam, but some content is not eligible for refunds. These items are marked as non-refundable on the Steam store.
- Steam Wallet : If you want a refund of your Steam Wallet funds, you will need to request it within 14 days, and you will also need to ensure that no funds have been spent during this period.
- Subscriptions : If you do not use your subscription during the billing period, you can request a refund within 48 hours of the auto-renewal date.
- In-App Purchases : If the game developer offers a refund for your purchase, Steam will refund the in-app purchase within 48 hours.
- Hardware : Certain hardware may be eligible for refunds.
- Gifts : If the gift has not been redeemed, the recipient can initiate a refund request on behalf of the purchaser within a standard timeframe.
- Bundles : If you wish to return a bundle, keep the original 2 hours and 14 days condition. However, this applies to all games in the bundle.
If you exceed the grace period, you can still request a refund. However, you need to be specific when entering information about the reason for requesting a refund. The more details you provide, the better your chances of getting a refund.
Steam will not explicitly refund money in the following circumstances:
- Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC) : If you want a refund because you received a VAC, you are not eligible for a refund.
- Video Purchases : Steam also has no way to refund video purchases unless the video is part of a bundle.
If you don't meet these requirements, Steam will still consider why you want a refund.
You can visit the Steam website for all the details on what content is refundable and what content is unlikely to be refunded.
To request a Steam refund, please follow the steps below on the Steam Support site.
Log in to Steam on your computer using a browser (not through the Steam desktop client).
Click Support .
Alternatively, log in directly from the Steam support site.
Select "Buy" .
You can also select a title from recent products if it appears here.
Click to see full purchase history .
Select an item from the list and click I want a refund .
Then click I want to apply for a refund.
Use the "Tell us why" drop-down menu below to explain why you want a refund for your game.
Click Submit Request .
At this point, you have opened a support ticket from Steam. You should receive more information from them via email explaining why you will or will not receive a refund.
If you've been denied a refund and think it was a mistake, there is technically a way to appeal.
You can request a refund again and open another support ticket. Another employee will review your request and double check to make sure you have not been unfairly denied a refund.
Once you've filled out your support ticket and received confirmation from Steam that you will receive your refund, the big question is when? In most cases, you can expect to receive your refund within a week, barring major bank holidays.
If 7 days or more have passed since your refund was confirmed, you can contact your financial institution and inquire about the pending transaction. If it's an international refund, it may take a few days to process.
Your refund will be credited back to your original method of payment. So if you paid with a bank or credit card, you can expect to see it appear there.
Please keep in mind that some payment methods offered through Streaming do not support refunds to the original payment method. If your card is not listed, you will see the refund in your Steam Wallet.
If you paid with Steam funds or Steam is unable to refund the original method, you will see the refund in your Steam Wallet.
