How to Return a Steam Game and Get a Refund: No More Buyer's Refund?

The most popular PC gaming platform didn’t offer refunds for a very long time. In 2015, Steam finally implemented a straightforward method for returning a game. You can now ask for a refund on your digital game purchase if you’re not happy with it.

Even though Steam’s refund policy is simple and straightforward, there are a few things you should know before filing a request.

Which Games Are Eligible for Refunds on Steam?

Requesting a refund on Steam is much simpler than on competing platforms like Xbox and PlayStation. Pre-orders, downloadable content, in-game purchases, and unused gift cards can all be returned to Valve. Yet, there are some constraints on what these things can be:

Any game you want to use must have been bought through Steam. If you obtained the game from a different website or some other method, you are not eligible for a refund.

All requests for refunds must be submitted no later than 14 days after the original transaction.

The maximum amount of time you can play a game after buying it is two hours.

Usually, you have 48 hours from the time of purchase to obtain a refund on a subscription or in-game purchase. These reimbursements are handled on an individual basis.

It’s worth noting that Valve-developed games automatically allow refunds within 48 hours, but other creators must enable the option for refunds first. Also, unless the video was part of a package that also included non-video items, you cannot return a video purchase on its own.

You have the option of selecting the refund delivery method. It might either be added to your Steam Wallet or refunded to an existing payment method. Steam supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for refunds.

How Do You Get a Steam Game Refund?

My new copy of Dead by Daylight served as the basis for this walkthrough. The discount price prompted me to purchase the game, but I realized afterward that I already own it for Xbox. The Steam client’s Steam Support can be accessed through the Help menu. In addition, you can use the “Support” tab at the very top of any page on the Steam website.

There are a lot of games you could return to, but you should prioritize the one you actually want to. It will be displayed on this main page if you have recently used it in one of your games. If not, try looking in the Software, Gaming, and Apps sections. Being as I am bringing Dead by Daylight back, there is no use in me looking for it.

In the following screen, you can report a problem with a single game, but if you’d need a refund, you’ll need to select the appropriate option from the I either misunderstood the description or bought it by mistake. (You may also permanently deactivate the game from your account, but this action will not result in a refund.)

If you select any of these options, you’ll be directed to a second window where you’ll need to confirm that you want a refund. Then, select your preferred refund method from the drop-down menu; I went with my Steam Wallet.

After that, you can explain your decision and add any notes you’d like regarding the item you’re buying. You can now submit your request by clicking the button. A screen will load indicating that your request was sent along with a reference code for your issue. Not only will you receive an email at the address associated with your Steam account, but you can jot down this number as well.

You may also choose to Cancel the refund request if you realize that you made a mistake and no longer need a refund. If you change your mind about submitting a request to Steam at any time before it is reviewed, you can simply return to the support page. That settles the matter, period. Your purchase must fall within Steam’s guidelines in order to qualify for a refund.