Steam does not publish a fixed number of refunds each customer may request. Valve says it may stop offering refunds if it believes someone is abusing the system, so there is no guaranteed quota of requests that will be approved. The standard eligibility rules for each purchase still apply.
Is there a limit on Steam refunds?
No numerical limit is stated in Steam’s published refund policy. Valve’s policy says, “If it appears to us that you are abusing refunds, we may stop offering them to you.” Steam describes refunds as a way to reduce the risk of buying games, not as a way to play games for free. The Steam refund policy was last updated April 23, 2024.
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Valve also says that requesting a refund for a game bought just before a sale and then immediately rebuying it at the sale price is not abuse. That example does not establish a general allowance for repeated refunds; each request remains subject to its own eligibility rules and Valve’s discretion.
What determines whether a purchase qualifies?
Games and software
For games and software applications, Steam’s standard policy allows a refund request within 14 days of purchase if playtime is less than two hours. You can still submit a request after either limit has passed; Steam says it will review it, but approval is not guaranteed.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
DLC
DLC generally has a 14-day purchase window and must have been used for less than two hours in the underlying game since the DLC was purchased. The DLC must not have been consumed, modified, or transferred. Some third-party DLC is marked nonrefundable.
In-game purchases
For Valve-developed games, in-game purchases can be refunded within 48 hours if the item has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. A third-party developer may opt into comparable refunds. Otherwise, in-game purchases in non-Valve games are not refundable through Steam.
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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.
Other purchase types
Steam lists separate conditions for Wallet funds, renewable subscriptions, bundles, gifts, pre-release purchases, videos, VAC bans, and hardware. Hardware and accessories have a separate refund policy. Purchases made outside Steam—including third-party CD keys and Steam Wallet cards—cannot be refunded by Valve through Steam. Check the relevant category on Steam’s refund policy page before assuming the game-and-software rules apply.
Quick Recap
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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.
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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.
How do you request a Steam refund?
- Go to Steam Support.
- Choose the purchase you need help with and follow the support prompts to submit a refund request.
- Wait for Steam’s decision. If approved, Steam says it issues the refund within a week, either to Steam Wallet funds or to the original payment method if that method supports refunds.
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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