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Can You Refund a Game You Haven’t Played?

Whether you can refund an unplayed game depends on the store, region, purchase channel, and whether you downloaded, streamed, or played it.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Sometimes—but being unplayed does not automatically make a game refundable. The seller’s policy matters, and some stores count a download or stream even if you never launch the game. Check the rules for the store and region where you bought it, then request a refund promptly.

How refund eligibility works

There is no universal refund rule for digital games. The seller, purchase channel, region, and purchase date can all affect eligibility. Policies may set a request deadline or playtime limit, or make downloading or streaming the deciding factor. A store’s voluntary policy is also separate from any consumer rights that may apply where you live.

Policies at selected digital game stores

Store and scope What applies to an unplayed game Important qualification
Steam Valve’s usual policy allows a request within 14 days of purchase if the game has been played for less than two hours. Steam says it may review requests outside those conditions. The playtime includes online, offline, and shared-library playtime. This is Steam’s policy, not a universal legal entitlement. See Steam’s Common Refund Questions.
PlayStation Store, US A game or add-on can generally be cancelled within 14 days only if downloading or streaming has not started. Once it has started, the policy says it is not eligible for a change-of-mind refund. The policy lists faulty products as an exception. Not launching a downloaded game does not meet the no-download condition. See PlayStation’s US cancellation policy.
Nintendo digital products, US Payments are final and non-refundable unless Nintendo authorizes a refund or applicable law requires one. The policy does not offer an automatic trial based on a 14-day period or limited playtime. See Nintendo’s US digital-products policy.
Ubisoft Store, digital PC games Ubisoft’s policy allows requests within 14 days, provided the game has not been played for more than two hours. Some digital items are excluded. Purchases from approved retailers are subject to the retailer’s policy. Ubisoft’s page was updated June 22, 2026. See Ubisoft Store’s policy.

How to request a Steam refund

Use Steam Help to submit the request. Steam’s instructions describe how to apply; they do not guarantee that every request will be approved.

  1. Sign in to Steam Help.
  2. Open Purchases and select the game purchase.
  3. Choose the problem that best fits your request.
  4. Select I’d like to request a refund, complete the form, and choose Steam Wallet or the original payment method where offered. See Steam’s refund-request instructions.

What if you pre-ordered the game?

Steam says you can refund a pre-order any time before release. After release, its stated conditions are a request within two weeks of release and less than two hours of playtime. Check the store’s own pre-order terms if you bought elsewhere. See Steam’s pre-order refund policy.

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EU and UK withdrawal terms

Steam describes EU/UK statutory withdrawal terms separately from its voluntary refund policy. Its page says the withdrawal period for digital content ends 14 days after purchase or when downloading starts, whichever happens sooner; Steam contrasts this with its voluntary policy, which allows up to two hours to try a digital game. These terms are not a substitute for checking the law and transaction terms that apply to your country and seller. See Steam’s EU/UK withdrawal and refund information.

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What to check before you apply

  • Confirm which store or retailer took payment; an approved retailer’s rules may differ from the platform’s.
  • Check the policy for your region rather than assuming a rule applies worldwide.
  • Note the purchase date and, where relevant, the release date for a pre-order.
  • Check your playtime and whether downloading or streaming began.
  • If the game is faulty or local consumer law may apply, explain that clearly in your request and consult the relevant regional terms.

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.

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