Steam's refund window and what it covers
Steam allows you to request a refund on most games within 14 days of purchase and as long as you have played for fewer than 2 hours total. This is Steam's standard refund policy, and it applies whether you bought the game on sale, at full price, or as part of a bundle. The refund goes back to your original payment method — the same card, PayPal account, or Steam Wallet where the money came from.
Some games and content fall outside this policy. DLC (downloadable content), in-game items, season passes, and cosmetics cannot be refunded once purchased, even within the 14-day window. Pre-ordered games become refundable only after they release, and the 14-day clock starts from the release date, not your purchase date. If a game is removed from Steam's store entirely, you have 30 days from removal to request a refund, regardless of when you bought it.
The 2-hour playtime limit is measured from when you first launch the game. If you have played for 1 hour 59 minutes, you are still within the window. Once you cross 2 hours, Steam will usually deny a refund request, though you can still submit one and explain your reason — Steam may grant it anyway if the circumstances warrant it.
Key Takeaways
- You have 14 days from purchase and under 2 hours of playtime to request a refund through your Steam account.
- Refunds return to your original payment method, whether that is a credit card, PayPal, or your Steam Wallet balance.
- DLC, in-game items, season passes, and cosmetics cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
- Steam processes most refund requests within 5 to 10 business days, though some may take longer depending on your payment method.
How to request a refund through your Steam account
Log into your Steam account on a web browser or through the Steam desktop client. Go to your account page by clicking your username in the top right corner, then select "Account details." From there, click "Purchase history" to see all your games and purchases.
Find the game you want to refund in the list. Click on it, and you will see a button that says "Request a refund." Click that button. Steam will ask you to select a reason from a dropdown menu — common options include "It's not what I expected," "I have a bug or performance issue," or "I no longer want this game." Choose the reason that best matches your situation, then add any additional details in the text box if you want to explain further.
After you submit, Steam sends your request to their refund team. You will receive an email confirmation that your request was received. Most refunds are processed within 5 to 10 business days, though some take longer depending on your bank or payment provider. You can check the status of your refund request by going back to your purchase history and looking for the game — it will show "Refund in progress" or "Refund approved" next to it.
What happens if your refund request is denied
If you have played the game for more than 2 hours or it has been more than 14 days since purchase, Steam will likely deny your refund request automatically. You can still submit one and explain why you think you deserve an exception, but Steam does not may provide approval outside the standard window.
If your request is denied, you will receive an email explaining why. At that point, your only option is to contact Steam Support directly through their help portal. Go to help.steampowered.com, search for your game, and select "I would like a refund." You can then submit a new request with additional context. Steam Support reviews these manually, but they rarely overturn a denial unless there is a significant technical issue with the game or a billing error on Steam's side.
If you paid with a credit card or debit card and Steam refuses, you can also dispute the charge with your bank or card issuer. This is called a chargeback, and it should be your last resort — using it may result in your Steam account being restricted or closed.
Refunds to Steam Wallet versus your original payment method
When you request a refund, Steam gives you the option to receive the money back to your Steam Wallet (your account balance on Steam) or to your original payment method. If you choose Steam Wallet, the refund is when ready — the money appears in your account right away and you can spend it on another game when ready.
If you choose to refund to your original payment method, the money goes back to the card, PayPal account, or bank account you used to buy the game. This takes longer — typically 5 to 10 business days — because your bank or payment provider has to process the transaction. Some banks hold refunds for an additional few days before they show up in your account.
There is no penalty for choosing either option. If you want the money back in your wallet to spend on another game right away, choose Steam Wallet. If you want the money back in your bank account or on your card, choose your original payment method.
Refunds for games purchased as part of a bundle
If you bought a bundle of games and want to refund only one game from it, Steam will refund the entire bundle, not just the single game. You cannot cherry-pick which games to keep and which to return. When you request a refund on any game in a bundle, Steam asks you to confirm that you understand the entire bundle will be refunded.
The refund amount is the price you paid for the whole bundle, not the individual game price. If you bought a bundle of five games for $20 and want to refund one game that would normally cost $10 on its own, you will receive a $20 refund, not $10.
If you have already played some games in the bundle under the 2-hour limit and want to keep them, do not request a refund on the bundle. Instead, you may be able to contact Steam Support and ask whether they can refund only the games you did not play, though this is not may provide and depends on the specific situation.
Refunds for games with performance or technical issues
If a game runs poorly on your computer, crashes frequently, or has bugs that make it unplayable, you can request a refund even if you have played for more than 2 hours. When you submit your refund request, select "I have a bug or performance issue" as your reason and describe the problem in detail.
Steam Support will review your request and may ask you for more information — such as your computer's specifications, what error messages you see, or what steps you have already taken to fix the problem. Provide as much detail as you can. If Steam determines that the game has a legitimate technical issue on your system, they may approve the refund even though you exceeded the 2-hour window.
Before you request a refund for performance reasons, try basic troubleshooting: update your graphics drivers, verify the game files through Steam (right-click the game, select "Properties," then "Local Files," then "Verify integrity of game files"), and check the game's community forums or support page to see if others have reported the same issue and found a fix.
How refunds work for pre-ordered games
When you pre-order a game on Steam, you can request a refund at any time before the game releases. Once the game releases, the 14-day refund window begins, and the 2-hour playtime limit applies just like any other purchase. If you pre-ordered a game six months ago and it releases tomorrow, you have 14 days from tomorrow to request a refund, not from when you pre-ordered.
If you pre-ordered a game and it releases but you have not downloaded or played it yet, you are still within the refund window as long as you request it within 14 days of release. The playtime counter does not start until you actually launch the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refund a game if I have played it for more than 2 hours?
Not automatically, but you can still submit a refund request and explain your reason. If the game has a technical issue, is significantly different from its description, or you have another compelling reason, Steam Support may approve it. Outside of those circumstances, refunds are rarely granted after 2 hours of playtime.
How long does it take to get my refund?
If you choose to refund to your Steam Wallet, the money appears when ready. If you refund to your original payment method, it typically takes 5 to 10 business days, though some banks hold refunds for additional days before they appear in your account.
What if I refund a game and then want to buy it again later?
You can buy the game again at any time after your refund is processed. There is no restriction on repurchasing a game you have refunded. If the game goes on sale later, you can buy it at the sale price.
Can I refund DLC or in-game items?
No. DLC, season passes, cosmetics, and in-game items cannot be refunded under any circumstances, even if you purchased them by mistake or within the 14-day window. Once purchased, they are final.
What happens if I refund a game and then try to play it?
After your refund is approved, you will no longer have access to the game. If you try to launch it, Steam will tell you that you do not own it. You will need to purchase it again to play it.