Steam is a popular online gaming platform that allows users to purchase and download games from a wide variety of developers. While most games purchased on Steam can be played indefinitely, there are some circumstances under which you may want to return a game. If you are unhappy with a game you have purchased, you can request a refund through Steam's refund policy.
In order to be eligible for a refund, the game must have been purchased within the last 14 days and you must have played the game for less than two hours. Additionally, the game must not be a pre-order or a gift. If you meet these criteria, you can request a refund by following the steps below:
How to Return a Game on Steam
Here are 9 important points about how to return a game on Steam:
- Purchased within 14 days
- Played for less than 2 hours
- Not a pre-order or gift
- Request refund through Steam
- Contact Steam Support
- Provide reason for refund
- Wait for refund approval
- Refund will be issued to original payment method
- Game will be removed from library
If you have any questions or problems with returning a game on Steam, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Purchased within 14 days
One of the requirements for returning a game on Steam is that it must have been purchased within the last 14 days. This means that you have 14 days from the date of purchase to decide if you want to keep the game or return it for a refund.
If you are not sure when you purchased a game, you can check your Steam purchase history. To do this, log in to your Steam account and click on your username in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, select "Account details" from the drop-down menu. On the "Account details" page, click on the "Purchase history" tab. This will show you a list of all the games you have purchased on Steam, along with the dates of purchase.
It is important to note that the 14-day refund period begins on the date of purchase, not the date you first played the game. So, even if you have not played the game yet, you can still return it for a refund as long as it has been less than 14 days since you purchased it.
However, there are some exceptions to the 14-day refund period. For example, you cannot return a game if you have already played it for more than two hours. Additionally, you cannot return a game if it is a pre-order or a gift. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for a refund, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Played for less than 2 hours
Another requirement for returning a game on Steam is that you must have played the game for less than two hours. This means that you have two hours of playtime to decide if you want to keep the game or return it for a refund.
Steam tracks your playtime for each game you play. You can check your playtime for a particular game by right-clicking on the game in your Steam library and selecting "Properties". Then, click on the "Local Files" tab and look for the "Hours Played" section.
It is important to note that the two-hour playtime limit begins when you first launch the game, not when you start playing it. So, even if you spend time in the game's menus or watching cutscenes, it will still count towards your playtime.
However, there are some exceptions to the two-hour playtime limit. For example, you may be able to return a game if you have experienced technical problems that have prevented you from playing the game. Additionally, you may be able to return a game if you have purchased it by mistake. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for a refund, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Not a pre-order or gift
Another requirement for returning a game on Steam is that it cannot be a pre-order or a gift. This means that you cannot return a game that you have pre-ordered or that has been gifted to you by another user.
- Pre-orders
Pre-orders are games that you can purchase before they are released. Once you pre-order a game, you are not able to cancel your order or return the game for a refund. This is because pre-orders are considered to be a final sale.
- Gifts
Gifts are games that have been purchased by one user and gifted to another user. Once a game has been gifted, the recipient is not able to return the game for a refund. This is because the game is considered to be the property of the recipient, not the purchaser.
If you are unsure whether or not a game is a pre-order or a gift, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Request refund through Steam
To request a refund for a game on Steam, you need to follow these steps:
- Log in to your Steam account
Go to the Steam website and log in to your account.
- Go to your purchase history
Click on your username in the top-right corner of the screen and select "Account details" from the drop-down menu. Then, click on the "Purchase history" tab.
- Find the game you want to refund
Scroll through your purchase history until you find the game you want to refund. Once you have found the game, click on the "Refund" button.
- Select a reason for the refund
You will need to select a reason for the refund. The available reasons are:
- I accidentally purchased the wrong game.
- The game doesn't work on my computer.
- I've already played the game and I don't like it.
- Other
Once you have selected a reason for the refund, click on the "Submit" button. Steam will then review your request and issue a refund if you are eligible.
Contact Steam Support
If you have any problems with returning a game on Steam, you can contact Steam Support for assistance. Steam Support is available 24/7 via email and live chat.
To contact Steam Support, go to the Steam website and click on the "Help" link in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, click on the "Steam Support" link.
On the Steam Support page, you will need to select the topic of your inquiry. For refunds, you will need to select the "Purchases and Billing" topic.
Once you have selected the topic of your inquiry, you will need to provide some additional information, such as your Steam username and the email address associated with your account. You will also need to describe the problem you are experiencing.
Once you have submitted your request, Steam Support will review your request and respond to you as soon as possible.
Provide reason for refund
When you request a refund for a game on Steam, you will need to provide a reason for the refund. The available reasons are:
- I accidentally purchased the wrong game.
- The game doesn't work on my computer.
- I've already played the game and I don't like it.
- Other
If you select the "Other" option, you will need to provide a brief explanation of why you are requesting a refund.
It is important to be honest and specific when providing a reason for your refund. This will help Steam Support to process your request quickly and efficiently.
If you are not sure which reason to select, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Wait for refund approval
Once you have submitted your refund request, you will need to wait for Steam Support to review your request and approve your refund. This process can take up to 7 days, but it is typically much faster.
- You will receive an email notification when your refund has been approved.
The email will contain instructions on how to complete the refund process.
- If your refund is approved, the funds will be credited to your original payment method.
The refund process can take up to 7 days, but it is typically much faster.
- If your refund is denied, you will receive an email notification explaining the reason for the denial.
You can contact Steam Support to appeal the decision.
If you have any questions or concerns about the refund process, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Refund will be issued to original payment method
When you receive a refund for a game on Steam, the funds will be credited to your original payment method. This means that the refund will be issued to the same credit card or PayPal account that you used to purchase the game.
- If you used a credit card to purchase the game, the refund will be credited to your credit card account.
The refund may take up to 7 days to appear on your credit card statement.
- If you used PayPal to purchase the game, the refund will be credited to your PayPal account.
The refund will be available immediately in your PayPal account.
- If you used a Steam Wallet to purchase the game, the refund will be credited to your Steam Wallet.
You can use the funds in your Steam Wallet to purchase other games or items on Steam.
If you have any questions or concerns about the refund process, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Game will be removed from library
Once your refund has been processed, the game will be removed from your Steam library. This means that you will no longer be able to access the game or its files.
- If you have any save files or other data associated with the game, you should back them up before requesting a refund.
Once the game is removed from your library, you will no longer be able to access your save files or other data.
- If you have any questions or concerns about the refund process, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Steam Support is available 24/7 via email and live chat.
Please note that refunds are not available for all games. For example, you cannot refund a game that you have already played for more than two hours. Additionally, you cannot refund a game that is a pre-order or a gift.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to return a game on Steam:
Question 1: How long do I have to return a game on Steam?
Answer: You have 14 days from the date of purchase to return a game on Steam.
Question 2: How much can I play a game before I can't return it?
Answer: You can play a game for up to 2 hours before you can't return it.
Question 3: Can I return a game that I pre-ordered?
Answer: No, you cannot return a game that you pre-ordered.
Question 4: Can I return a game that was gifted to me?
Answer: No, you cannot return a game that was gifted to you.
Question 5: How do I request a refund for a game on Steam?
Answer: To request a refund for a game on Steam, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Steam account.
- Go to your purchase history.
- Find the game you want to refund and click on the "Refund" button.
- Select a reason for the refund and click on the "Submit" button.
Question 6: How long does it take to get a refund for a game on Steam?
Answer: It can take up to 7 days to get a refund for a game on Steam, but it is typically much faster.
Question 7: What happens if my refund request is denied?
Answer: If your refund request is denied, you will receive an email notification explaining the reason for the denial. You can contact Steam Support to appeal the decision.
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If you have any other questions about returning games on Steam, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Tips
Here are some tips for returning games on Steam:
Tip 1: Be sure to meet the refund requirements.
In order to be eligible for a refund, the game must have been purchased within the last 14 days and you must have played the game for less than two hours. Additionally, the game must not be a pre-order or a gift.
Tip 2: Request your refund as soon as possible.
The sooner you request your refund, the sooner you will receive your money back. Steam Support typically processes refund requests within 24 hours.
Tip 3: Be honest and specific when providing a reason for your refund.
This will help Steam Support to process your request quickly and efficiently.
Tip 4: If your refund request is denied, you can contact Steam Support to appeal the decision.
Steam Support will review your appeal and make a final decision.
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By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting a refund for a game on Steam.
Conclusion
Returning a game on Steam is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you must meet the refund requirements, which include purchasing the game within the last 14 days and playing the game for less than two hours. Additionally, the game must not be a pre-order or a gift.
If you meet the refund requirements, you can request a refund by following the steps outlined in this article. Be sure to be honest and specific when providing a reason for your refund. Steam Support will typically process your request within 24 hours.
If you have any questions or concerns about returning a game on Steam, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
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