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How to Refund a Game on Steam in 2026
Steam usually refunds games bought within 14 days if you have played for less than two hours.
You can request a refund even if you simply did not enjoy the game.
How to Request a Steam Refund
Sign in with the Steam account that made the purchase. The official Steam refund instructions take you through the request:
- Go to Steam Support and sign in to your Steam account.
- Select Purchases.
- Choose the game or other purchase you want refunded.
- Select the problem you are having with the purchase.
- Choose I’d like to request a refund.
- Complete the form, choose Steam Wallet or the original payment method from the dropdown, and submit the request.
Steam sends a confirmation email when you submit the form, followed by a separate email when the refund has been processed. If a purchase is missing from Purchases, Valve says it may be too far outside the refund window.
Refund Rules by Purchase Type
Valve’s refund policy sets different rules for games, add-ons, and other purchases:
| Purchase | Main refund rule |
|---|---|
| Games and software | Within 14 days of purchase and under two hours played |
| DLC | Within 14 days, under two hours in the base game since buying the DLC, and not consumed, modified, or transferred |
| In-game items | Within 48 hours for eligible Valve-game purchases; other developers decide whether to offer refunds |
| Unplayed preorders | Refundable before release; standard rules apply after release |
| Unused Steam Wallet funds | Within 14 days if bought directly on Steam and not spent |
For preorders with Early Access or Advanced Access, playtime before the full release counts toward the two-hour limit. Some DLC and in-game purchases are marked nonrefundable. Steam does not refund game keys bought from third-party sellers.
Steam Refund FAQ
Can you request a refund after playing more than two hours?
Yes. Valve reviews requests outside its usual limits, but approval is not guaranteed. Shared-library and offline playtime also count toward the limit, according to Steam’s common refund questions.
How long does a Steam refund take?
Steam says approved refunds can take up to seven days to appear. Approved Steam Wallet credit may arrive within 24 to 48 hours, while international payment methods can take longer.
The money normally goes to the payment method you chose. Steam Wallet credit may be used if the original payment method cannot receive the refund.
Can you refund a game because it went on sale?
Yes. Valve says refunding an eligible game and buying it again at a lower sale price is not abuse of the refund system.
Can you refund a Steam gift?
Yes. Unredeemed gifts can qualify under the normal rules. For a redeemed gift, the recipient must initiate the refund first, and the money returns to the original purchaser.
Do refunds remove Steam achievements?
No. Valve says a refund does not remove the game’s playtime or achievements from your Steam Community profile.
Check your purchase date and total playtime before submitting a request. If the purchase qualifies, use Steam Support’s Purchases page to send it directly to Valve.
