Can You Refund Games On Steam? | Refund Rules That Work

tech Logic / By

Steam refunds most games if you ask within 14 days and you’ve played under 2 hours.

You bought a game, hit Play, and your heart sank. Maybe it won’t launch, maybe it stutters, maybe it’s just not your thing. The good news is that Steam has a clear refund system for most purchases, and you can usually handle it in a couple of minutes.

This guide shows what qualifies, what doesn’t, and the exact steps to request a refund. It also covers the edge cases that trip people up, like pre-orders, DLC, bundles, and in-game items.

Refunding games on Steam rules that decide it

Steam’s baseline refund rule is simple. Most games and software bought on the Steam store can be refunded when both of these are true:

  1. Stay within 14 days — Submit the request no later than 14 days after you paid for it.
  2. Keep playtime under 2 hours — Your recorded playtime is under two hours.

If you meet those two checks, refunds are normally approved. If you miss one, you can still ask, yet approval becomes less predictable and depends on what happened.

If you want the official wording, open the Steam refunds page and read the sections that match what you bought.

What “14 days” really means

The clock starts at purchase time for standard releases. Pre-orders work differently, since you can cancel before release, and the 14-day window starts on the release date.

That detail matters if you pre-bought a game weeks early. You might still be inside the refund window on launch week even if the purchase date looks old.

What “2 hours” really means

Steam measures playtime using its own runtime tracking. That number can include time spent in menus, launchers, and idling with the game open. It can also count time from early access periods tied to the same app.

If you’re close to the line, don’t keep testing “just one more thing.” Exit the game first, then file the request.

Quick eligibility table

Different purchase types follow different rules. This table keeps the common ones straight.

Purchase type Usually refundable? Main condition to watch
Games and software Yes Under 14 days and under 2 hours
DLC Often Base game under 2 hours since DLC purchase, DLC not consumed
In-game purchases Sometimes Item not used or changed, and title participates
Pre-orders Yes Any time before release, or 14 days after release with under 2 hours
Wallet funds Sometimes Depends on how funds were added and used

Things that can block a Steam refund even when you feel “right”

Most refund frustration comes from hidden details, not from the button being missing. Run through these common blockers before you submit.

  • Buying outside Steam — Keys from third-party sites follow that seller’s policy, not Steam’s store policy.
  • Running past the time limits — Two hours can disappear fast during troubleshooting.
  • Consuming content — DLC and in-game items can become nonrefundable once used, traded, or permanently applied.
  • Game bans — Some bans can affect refund eligibility for a title.
  • Repeated refund abuse — Frequent refunds can lead to extra scrutiny or restrictions.

If one of these fits your situation, you can still request a refund, yet it helps to explain the problem clearly and keep the message factual.

How to request a refund on Steam step by step

You can request refunds from the Steam client, a browser, or the mobile app. The screens vary a little, yet the flow is the same: pick the purchase, pick a reason, pick where the money should go, then submit.

Refund from the Steam desktop app

  1. Open your account details — Click your name in the top-right, then choose Account details.
  2. Go to purchase history — Select View purchase history to see recent transactions.
  3. Select the game — Click the title you want to refund.
  4. Choose a refund option — Pick “I would like a refund” or the closest matching option.
  5. Pick a reason — Choose the reason that matches what happened and add a short note.
  6. Select refund method — Choose original payment method when available, or choose Steam Wallet.
  7. Submit the request — Send it, then watch your email for updates.

Refund from a browser

  1. Sign in to the help page — Go to the refund request page and log in.
  2. Pick a purchase — Choose the game or transaction from the list.
  3. Tap the refund choice — Select the option that asks for a refund.
  4. Add a short note — Keep it tight: what broke, what you tried, and what you want back.
  5. Send the request — Submit and keep the confirmation email.

The official instructions live on Steam’s refund request page.

Refund from the Steam mobile app

  1. Open the menu — Tap the menu icon, then choose Account details.
  2. Open purchase history — Find the list of your recent purchases.
  3. Pick the purchase — Tap the game, DLC, or transaction you want to refund.
  4. Request a refund — Choose the refund option and follow the prompts.
  5. Check your email — Refund updates usually arrive by email first.

What to write in the refund note so it gets read

Steam gives you a small text box. You don’t need a novel. A clean note helps when you’re close to the limits or dealing with a special case.

  • State the issue in one line — “Game crashes on launch after update,” beats a long rant.
  • List what you tried — Mention one or two steps like verifying files or updating drivers.
  • Call out the timeline — If you bought it today and played 40 minutes, say so.
  • Ask for a clear outcome — “Refund to original payment method” or “refund to Wallet.”

Keep it calm. If you’re angry, type the note elsewhere, delete half of it, then paste the trimmed version into Steam.

Refund rules for DLC, bundles, in-game purchases, and pre-orders

Steam sells more than base games. The refund rules change a bit across categories, so it pays to match your request to what you bought.

DLC refunds

DLC can be refundable, yet there are extra checks. Steam looks at how much you played the base game after buying the DLC and whether the DLC was consumed, changed, or transferred.

  • Refund fast after buying DLC — Don’t keep playing the base game if you plan to return the add-on.
  • Avoid consuming the DLC — If the DLC grants items or levels that permanently change your save, refunds can be blocked.
  • Check the store page flags — Some third-party DLC can be marked nonrefundable up front.

Bundles and complete editions

Bundles can be tricky because they include multiple items. Steam may refund the whole bundle, or it may treat parts differently if you already owned items in it or you bought it at a discounted “complete your set” price.

  1. Open the exact transaction — Use purchase history so you’re not guessing which bundle entry matters.
  2. Refund the bundle, not single parts — Start with the bundle item that matches the receipt.
  3. Note any duplicate ownership — If the bundle contained items you already had, mention it briefly.

In-game purchases

In-game purchases depend on the title. Some games allow refunds for in-game items within a short window when the items were not used, modified, or transferred. Some games do not allow it at all.

When in doubt, open the transaction details and read the text shown for that purchase type. Steam tends to spell out the rule that applies to that item.

Pre-orders and advanced access

Pre-orders have two paths. You can cancel before release. After release, the standard time limits apply, and the 14-day window starts on release date.

If your pre-order included early play access, treat that time like normal runtime. If you burn through two hours during early access, you may lose the easy-approve path on launch day.

Where your money goes and how long refunds take

When a refund is approved, Steam returns the purchase to the original payment method when it can. If it can’t, it may offer Steam Wallet credit instead. Some payment methods can only refund to Wallet in certain regions.

Timing varies by bank and method. Steam approvals can happen fast, yet card refunds can take several business days to show up on your statement.

  • Watch for the approval email — That’s your first sign it worked.
  • Check your bank posting delays — Some banks show refunds as a reversal, others as a separate credit.
  • Don’t repurchase too soon — Buying the same title again while a refund is pending can confuse your own records.

What happens to the game after a refund

After a refund, the game is removed from your account as a purchase you can play. It won’t launch from your library unless you buy it again. DLC that was refunded follows the same idea.

Your local install may still be on your drive. Steam can leave files behind until you uninstall, so you may want to remove the game folder if you’re low on space.

Achievements and playtime don’t always vanish, since Steam records runtime and may still show it on your profile. That’s normal, and it doesn’t mean the refund failed.

Refund denied? Steps that still make sense

A denial isn’t always the end. It often means your request fell outside the fast-approve rule and needs a second look. You can reply to the email thread or submit another request tied to the same purchase.

  1. Recheck playtime and date — Make sure you didn’t misread your runtime or purchase time.
  2. Explain the specific fault — Crashes, server outages, missing features, or broken controllers are clearer than “didn’t like it.”
  3. Attach your troubleshooting steps — Mention quick steps you tried, like verifying files or changing display mode.
  4. Keep the ask simple — Request a refund, not a debate.

If the game is broken due to a widespread issue, it can help to link to a public patch note or known issue list. Keep it short and stick to facts.

Small habits that help you avoid refunds in the first place

Refunds are a safety net, yet it feels better when you can choose well up front. These habits save time and keep your library clean.

  • Check the system requirements first — Match your CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage to the listed requirements.
  • Read the recent reviews — Sort by recent so you see the current state after patches.
  • Watch a minute of gameplay — A short clip shows UI, pacing, and performance expectations.
  • Use the refund window wisely — If you’re testing performance, do it early and stop once you know it’s not working.
  • Track playtime while testing — Set a timer so you don’t drift past two hours.

If you buy games as gifts, double-check who is paying and who is receiving. Gift purchases have their own flow, and refund eligibility can depend on whether the gift was accepted.