The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes. If you paid to pre-purchase a Steam game, you can request a refund any time before its release—even if its release has been delayed. Once it releases, Steam’s stated pre-order rule is a request within 14 days of release and less than two hours of playtime. A wishlist alone is not a purchase and does not qualify for a refund.
What happens if the game is still unreleased?
Steam says, “you can request a refund at any time prior to release of the game.” That means a delayed game remains eligible under this pre-release rule while it is still unreleased. The date you placed the pre-order does not start the standard post-release refund window for a game you could not yet play. See Steam’s Pre-Order Refunds.
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| 1 |
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What if the game has already released?
For a pre-purchase that did not provide playable access before launch, Steam says to submit the refund request within 14 days of release and have less than two hours of playtime. The clock begins on release, not on the pre-purchase date. Steam states these as its standard rules; it may consider requests outside them, but that does not guarantee approval.
Early Access and Advance Access are different
Early Access
If the pre-purchase gave you Early Access, time played during Early Access counts toward the two-hour limit. Check your playtime before submitting a request.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Advance Access
Advance Access is a pre-purchase benefit that lets you play before the game’s official release. Steam says a qualifying purchase may be refunded before Advance Access begins; the standard 14-day refund period starts on official release. See Steam’s Advance Access guidance for details.
How to request the refund
- Sign in to Steam Help.
- Open Purchases and select the game purchase.
- Choose the issue that best describes the problem.
- Select the option to request a refund and submit the form.
Steam’s Common Refund Questions explains that requests outside the stated rules may still be reviewed, but approval is not assured.
Rank #2
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Refund timing, payment method, and local rights
Steam says approved refunds are issued within a week. The destination and exact timing can depend on the payment method; Steam Wallet credit may be available. Steam also notes that a pre-order more than six months old may not be refundable to the original payment method, though a Steam Wallet refund may still be requested. Check the purchase-specific options shown in Steam Help.
Steam describes EU and UK withdrawal rights separately, and consumers in some jurisdictions may have additional rights when a game is faulty. Those rights depend on where you live and the circumstances, so do not assume the same legal rules apply everywhere. See Steam’s EU/UK Right of Withdrawal and Steam Refunds information and its Steam Refunds policy page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Rank #4
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Rank #3
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
