Possibly, but never guaranteed. Valve’s standard refund offer for games and software covers requests made within two weeks of purchase when the title has less than two hours of playtime. If your request falls outside those limits, Steam says it will still review it, but a review is not an approval.
How the standard 14-day rule works
Valve’s Steam Refunds page sets the ordinary offer for games and software applications. Both conditions have to be met: the request is made within two weeks of purchase, and the title has been played for less than two hours. Those two conditions are the baseline against which every other refund situation on the page is measured.
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What happens if you ask after 14 days
The policy page addresses late requests directly. In Valve’s words:
“There are more details below, but even if you fall outside of the refund rules we’ve described, you can ask for a refund anyway and we’ll take a look.”
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Treat this as the right to ask, not an extension of the normal refund entitlement. Steam reviews out-of-rule requests but does not say they will be approved, so a request after 14 days or after two hours of play may be declined without any change to the standard terms.
Steps to submit a request
- Note the purchase date and the playtime on the title. The two-week and two-hour figures are measured against these.
- Identify the purchase type. A DLC, an in-game item, a pre-release order and a gift each follow different rules (see the table below).
- Submit the request through Steam Support at help.steampowered.com, which Steam names as the channel for refunds and purchase assistance.
Purchase types with different rules
The standard two-week rule is only one of several refund rules Valve lists. The purchase type determines which window and which playtime or use condition applies.
| Purchase type | Refund window | Playtime or use condition | Notes from the policy page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games and software (standard) | Within 14 days of purchase | Less than 2 hours played | Requests outside these limits are reviewed, not guaranteed. |
| DLC | Generally 14 days of purchase | Less than 2 hours on the underlying title since the DLC was bought | Some DLC is excluded once consumed, modified or transferred. Certain third-party DLC may be marked nonrefundable before purchase. |
| In-game purchases in Valve-developed games | 48 hours (stated period) | Item not consumed, modified or transferred | This 48-hour rule does not change the standard game window. |
| In-game purchases in third-party games | 48 hours, where the developer has opted in | Item not consumed, modified or transferred | Steam identifies whether the item is eligible at the time of purchase. |
| Pre-release purchases | 14 days, starting at release, for titles not playable before release | Early Access or Advanced Access playtime counts toward the 2-hour limit | The clock starts at release, not at the pre-order. |
| Wallet funds, subscriptions, bundles, gifts, Steam hardware and video | Separate conditions stated on the policy page | Separate conditions stated on the policy page | Check the policy page for the terms that apply to each category. |
Purchases Valve says it cannot refund
- Purchases made outside Steam. Valve states that it cannot refund these, with third-party CD keys and Steam Wallet cards given as examples.
- Games after a VAC ban. A VAC ban removes the right to refund that game.
Where an approved refund goes and when
For an approved refund, Valve states that the full amount is issued within a week of approval. The money returns to the original payment method where the method supports refunds. Some payment methods available in a customer’s country may not support refunds to the original method, and in that case the full amount is credited to Steam Wallet instead.
How Steam treats repeated or abusive requests
Valve frames the refund policy as a way to reduce purchase risk. It also says it may stop offering refunds to a customer whose requests it considers abusive. Ordinary requests are not abuse under this framing. The page gives a price drop after purchase as an example of a request it permits.
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Check the live policy before relying on these terms
The Steam Refunds page carries a “Last updated April 23, 2024” notice. Refund terms can change, so confirm the current wording on the official page at Steam Refunds before you rely on a specific window, percentage or exception.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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