How To Refund A Steam Game And Get Your Money Back

You bought a game that just won't run right or isn't what you expected, and now you want your money back. Steam allows you to reverse a purchase, but only if you meet their specific window of 14 days since the transaction and under 2 hours of total playtime.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet both the 14-day purchase window and the 2-hour playtime limit. Remember that Steam includes launcher time, menus, and idle background time in that 2-hour total.

What you will need

You need your Steam account credentials to sign in at the official help portal. No Steam client installation is required as the process happens entirely in your web browser.

Steps

1. 01
   Navigate to https:/help.steampowered.com in your web browser and sign in with your account credentials.
2. 02
   Scroll down the main dashboard and click on the Purchases tile to see your recent activity.
3. 03
   Locate and select the specific game you wish to refund from the list; if you do not see it immediately, click View complete purchasing history.
4. 04
   Select the option labeled I would like a refund to begin the automated request process.
5. 05
   Click the button labeled I would like to request a refund to proceed to the submission form.
6. 06
   Choose a reason from the drop-down menu; the reason you select does not impact the approval process.
7. 07
   Select your preferred refund destination, either your original payment method or your Steam Wallet, then click Submit.

Still not working?

If you have exceeded the 14-day or 2-hour limit, submit the request anyway. The initial review is automated and will likely deny it, but you can request a manual review where a human support representative can override the policy for valid reasons.

Frequently asked questions

Does my playtime include time spent in the game launcher?

Yes, Steam tracks every minute the application process is active, including launchers, menus, and loading screens.

Will a refund remove the game from my library?

Yes, once the refund is processed, the license for the game is revoked and it will no longer appear in your Steam library.

How long does it take for the money to appear in my account?

While the request itself usually clears in minutes, it typically takes up to one week for the funds to reflect on your original payment method or in your Steam Wallet.

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