Steam’s Refund Policy (Key Rules)
✅ Automatic Approval If:
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Requested within 14 days of purchase
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Playtime under 2 hours
⚠️ Exceptions:
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DLC refundable if base game meets criteria
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Pre-orders refundable before release
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Movies/software have no refunds
💡 Pro Tip: Even if you exceed limits, you can still request (manual review case-by-case).
How to Request a Refund (Step-by-Step)
Method 1: Via Steam Website
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Go to Steam Support
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Click Purchases → Select the game
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Choose “I’d like a refund”
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Select refund method (Wallet or Original Payment)
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Submit & wait for email confirmation (usually 24 hours)
Method 2: Through Steam Client
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Open Steam → Help → Steam Support
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Find the game under Recent Products
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Follow same steps as above
Refund Timeline & Payment Methods
| Payment Method | Refund Time |
|---|---|
| Steam Wallet | Instantly |
| Credit/Debit Card | 3-7 business days |
| PayPal | Up to 7 days |
| Other (e.g., Paysafecard) | Wallet credit only |
Special Cases & Troubleshooting
1. Refunding DLC/In-Game Purchases
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Must refund within 48 hours of purchase
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Cannot keep DLC if base game is refunded
2. Denied Refunds? Try This:
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Politely appeal via Steam Support
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Mention technical issues (e.g., crashes, false advertising)
3. Banned/Region-Locked Games
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No refunds if banned for cheating
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Region-locked purchases may require extra verification
FAQs
❓ Can I refund after 2 hours of playtime?
Rarely, but you can try (e.g., if the game is broken).
❓ What if I bought a game years ago?
No refunds after 14 days, even if unplayed.
❓ Do sales/free games affect refunds?
No—same rules apply for discounted games.
❓ Can I refund Steam Deck games?
Yes, same policy applies.
Conclusion
Steam’s refund system is consumer-friendly if you act fast:
✔ Request within 14 days & <2 hours playtime
✔ Check refund status via Support page
✔ Wallet refunds are instant