You bought a game on Steam, but it didn’t meet your expectations. Maybe it crashed. Perhaps the gameplay felt wrong. Or maybe you clicked the wrong button. Whatever the reason, you can get a refund—if you follow the correct process.
This guide explains how to check if you qualify, how to request a refund, and what happens after you submit it. Steam makes it simple if you act fast.
Why Steam Allows Refunds?
Steam allows refunds to give buyers more confidence. If you try a game that doesn’t run well or just isn’t for you, Steam gives you a second chance. Valve, the company behind Steam, designed this system to reduce buyers’ regret and encourage honest purchases.
You can refund full games, bundles, DLC, and some in-game items. You can also refund preorders and early access games. But there are time and play limits.
Steam Refund Policy Explained
You qualify for a refund if:
- You can request it within 14 days of buying the game.
- You have played it for less than 2 hours.
This rule applies to most games, DLCs, and preorders. If you exceed these limits, Steam will still let you request a refund. They’ll review it manually. However, repeated refund abuse can lead to denial.
Check Your Refund Eligibility
Before starting the refund process, check if you qualify:
Open the Steam desktop client or log into your account at store.steampowered.com. Navigate to your Library, then click on the game title. Steam displays the total playtime. You’re most likely eligible if it’s under two hours and the purchase date is recent.
You can also view your purchase history by going to help.steampowered.com, selecting “Purchases,” and checking the transaction date.
How to Request a Refund on Steam
Follow these steps to submit your refund request:
- Visit help.steampowered.com
- Select Purchases from the main menu
- Choose the game or item you want to refund
- Select a reason from the list (e.g., gameplay issues, accidental purchase)
- Click Request a Refund
- Choose your refund method: either Steam Wallet or your original payment method.
Steam will send an email confirmation after you submit the request.
What Happens After You Submit
Steam usually processes refunds within seven business days. If they approve your request, the money will be returned to your wallet or bank account, depending on your choice.
Once refunded, Steam removes the game from your account. You can’t open it unless you repurchase it. You can check your refund status by visiting “Your Requests” under Steam Support.
Refunds for DLCs and In-Game Content
Yes—but only if:
- You haven’t used or changed the base game with the DLC.
- You request the refund within 14 days of purchase.
- The base game hasn’t been played for more than 2 hours after buying the DLC.
Steam only allows refunds for in-game items for Valve-developed games (like Dota 2 or CS:GO), and only if you haven’t used or traded the item. You also must request the refund within 48 hours.
What If You Don’t Qualify?
You can still ask if you miss the 14-day window or play past the 2-hour mark. Go through the same steps and explain your case. Steam Support may approve it if your reason makes sense.
For example, if the game doesn’t start or keeps crashing, they may accept your request even if you have played a bit more. Just don’t make refund requests a habit. Valve can deny future refunds if they think you’re abusing the system.
Final Thoughts
Steam offers a user-friendly refund system that gives gamers peace of mind. Following the 14-day and 2-hour rule, you can easily get your money back if something doesn’t feel right.
If you’ve ever requested a refund through Steam or plan to try it soon, share your experience below. It might help someone else.