If you bought a Steam game because you thought it was already released, request a refund through Steam Help while signed in to the account that made the purchase. Steam’s usual rule for games is a request within 14 days of purchase and less than two hours of playtime, but a mistaken purchase is a reason you can explain—and Steam says it may review requests outside its standard rules.
How to submit the refund request
- Go to Steam Help and sign in to the account that bought the game.
- Select Purchases.
- Choose the game purchase. If it is not listed, Steam says it falls too far outside the refund window to use this listed route.
- Select the issue you are having with the product, then choose “I’d like to request a refund.”
- Complete and submit the form. In the explanation, say plainly that you bought the game believing it had launched and are asking for a refund. Choose Steam Wallet or the original payment method if those options are offered.
- Look for an email confirming that Steam received your request, followed by another email after it has been processed.
These steps follow Steam Support’s refund-request guide. Explain what happened accurately; submitting a request does not guarantee approval.
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Which refund rule applies?
Steam’s refund policy, last updated April 23, 2024, says game and software refunds are generally available when requested within 14 days of purchase and with less than two hours of playtime. The launch status matters because Steam treats an unplayable pre-release purchase differently from a game that could already be played.
| Purchase situation | How Steam describes the timing |
|---|---|
| Game bought before release and not playable before release | You can request a refund any time before release. The standard 14-day and two-hour period starts on the release date. |
| Early Access or Advanced Access | Playtime counts toward the two-hour limit even before full release. |
| Ordinary game purchase | The usual guideline is a request within 14 days of purchase and less than two hours of playtime. |
Because you have not provided the game’s release status, purchase date, or playtime, it is not possible to determine whether your purchase meets the usual guideline. Check those details against the applicable row before submitting.
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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.
What if you are outside the usual limits?
Submit a request if you believe you bought the game by mistake even if it is outside the 14-day or two-hour guideline. Steam says it will review requests outside its stated rules, but does not promise to approve them. Buying by mistake is specifically given as a reason to request a refund.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where does the refund go, and how long does it take?
If Steam approves the request, it says the refund is issued within a week. The form may offer Steam Wallet or the original payment method; some payment methods do not support refunds to the original method. The destination options shown for your purchase are the ones available to you.
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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.
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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.
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.
