How Do I Get a Refund in Steam?

In a nutshell: Steam offers a straightforward refund process that generally allows for full refunds under various circumstances. To qualify, refunds must be requested within two weeks of purchase, and gameplay time should not exceed two hours. Pre-release purchases begin the refund window at release. In-game purchases are refundable within

Sep 29, 2025

Introduction

If you want to return something you bought on Steam and get a refund for it then you're in luck. Steam has a very generous refund policy and the process for requesting one is very simple. You should almost always be able to get a full refund.

What You'll Need

You can return a game and get a refund no matter what the reason for the return is. Whether your computer doesn't have the right hardware or just tried the game and didn't like it, you can still get your money back.To qualify for a refund, you must request it within two weeks of purchase. You also cannot have played the game for more than two hours.If you purchased your game prior to its release date, the two week refund qualification period does not start until the release date.In-game purchases can qualify for a refund if you have not transferred, consumed, or modified it in any way, and if you make the request within 48 hours of purchase.You can get a refund on your Steam Wallet funds if you have not used them and you make the request within two weeks of purchase.Video content is non-refundable.If you return a hardware purchase within two weeks of the date you receive it then you qualify for a refund of both the purchase price and the shipping cost.Hardware that has been modified or damaged in any way is not eligible for a refund.Even if your purchase does not qualify for a refund, go ahead and ask for one anyway. Steam may still grant your request after taking a look at your situation.Once your refund request has been approved, you will receive your refund within a week, either to the same method you used to make your payment or to your Steam wallet, depending on how you made your purchase.If it is impossible to refund your original method of purchase for some reason then your refund will be made to your Steam wallet.

Go to the Steam home page.

Steam home page

Click on the Login link in the top right corner of the page to sign into your Steam account.

Go to the Steam Support page and open a support ticket requesting a refund.

Steam Support page
Steam requires you to initiate refund requests via its online support service. Follow the prompts to fill out the support ticket.

Check the email associated with your Steam account for the response from Steam support.

Conclusion

That's all there is to it. Steam makes requesting and receiving a refund very fast and easy. However, your refund request can take days to process, and then the company will take days more to actually get you your refund. So if you want to check on the progress of your request, or if you have any other questions, call a Steam customer service representative. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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