Steam refunds work differently depending on when you bought the game and how long you've played it

Steam allows you to request a refund on games, software, and in-game purchases within 14 days of purchase and as long as you've played for fewer than 2 hours total. If both conditions are met, you can submit a refund request through your account and Steam will process it within about a week. If you've played longer than 2 hours or it's been more than 14 days, Steam will usually deny the request, though you can still try — Steam reviews exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

The refund goes back to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, it returns to that card. If you used Steam Wallet funds (money already in your Steam account), the refund becomes Steam Wallet credit you can spend on other games.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 14 days from purchase and must have played fewer than 2 hours to request a refund through Steam's automated system.
  • Refunds process to your original payment method within about a week, or to your Steam Wallet if you paid with account credit.
  • Games with playtime over 2 hours or purchased more than 14 days ago can still be refunded if you contact Steam Support with a reason, though approval is not may provide.
  • Pre-order games can be refunded up until they release, regardless of playtime, as long as the purchase is within 14 days.
  • DLC, cosmetics, and in-game items follow the same 2-hour and 14-day rules, but some games do not allow refunds on certain purchases.

How to submit a refund request through Steam

Open Steam on your computer and go to your library. Find the game you want to refund, right-click it, and select "Manage" then "See support options." Click "I would like a refund" and choose your reason from the dropdown menu. Steam asks whether you want the money back to your original payment method or as Steam Wallet credit.

After you submit, Steam sends you a confirmation email. Most refunds process within 5 to 7 days. You can check the status by going to your account, selecting "Purchase history," finding the game, and clicking "View refund status." If Steam approves it, the money will arrive in your bank account or credit card statement within 1 to 2 billing cycles, depending on your bank.

When Steam will deny your refund request

Steam's automated system rejects refunds if you've played more than 2 hours or bought the game more than 14 days ago. The 2-hour limit includes all playtime across all accounts on that computer — if you played 1 hour and 45 minutes, you're still under the limit, but 2 hours and 1 minute will trigger a denial.

Some games have additional restrictions. A few titles do not allow refunds on DLC, cosmetics, or battle pass purchases even within the 2-hour window. You can see these restrictions on the game's store page under "Refund Policy." If a game has a custom refund policy, it will say so clearly.

How to appeal a denied refund

If Steam's automated system denies your request, you can contact Steam Support to ask for an exception. Go to the refund status page, click "Contact Steam Support about this refund," and explain why you believe you deserve one. Steam reviews these manually, but there's no may provide of approval.

Reasons that sometimes work include: the game is broken or unplayable on your system, the game's description was misleading, or you bought it by accident. Reasons that rarely work include: you didn't like the game, you found it cheaper elsewhere, or you want to replay it later. Be honest about what happened — Steam Support can see your playtime and purchase history, so they'll know if you're exaggerating.

Pre-orders and early access games

Pre-order games can be refunded at any time before they release, even if you've played them extensively during early access. Once the game officially launches, the standard 2-hour and 14-day rules apply. Early access games (games still in development that you can buy and play now) follow the normal 2-hour and 14-day rules from the moment you buy them.

If you pre-ordered a game and it releases in a few days, you can still refund it up until the release date. After release, you'll need to stay under 2 hours of playtime to get an automated refund.

Refunds for in-game purchases and DLC

In-game currency, cosmetics, battle passes, and DLC follow the same 2-hour and 14-day window as the base game. If you bought a cosmetic skin 10 days ago and have played fewer than 2 hours since, you can refund it. Some games restrict refunds on certain items — for example, a game might allow you to refund cosmetics but not battle passes. Check the game's store page to see what's refundable.

If you spent money on in-game currency (like gems or coins) and then used that currency to buy something, refunding the currency purchase may not work if you've already spent it. Steam will deny the refund if the currency is no longer in your account. You'll need to refund the item you bought with the currency instead.

What happens to your game after a refund

Once a refund is approved, the game is removed from your library immediately. You can no longer play it, and your save files remain on your computer but are inaccessible through Steam. If you buy the game again later, your old save files won't automatically load — you'll need to manually move them back if the game supports that.

Your playtime history for that game is erased from your profile. If you refund a game and buy it again, your playtime counter starts at zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a game if I've played it for exactly 2 hours?

No. The limit is under 2 hours, so 2 hours and 1 minute will be denied. Steam counts total playtime across all accounts on your computer, so if you played on a friend's account on your machine, that time counts toward your limit.

What if my refund was denied but I think it was a mistake?

Contact Steam Support through the refund status page and explain your situation. Steam reviews manual appeals, but approval depends on the reason. If you're over the 2-hour limit or past 14 days, approval is unlikely unless the game is genuinely broken or the store page was misleading.

Do I lose my cosmetics or battle pass progress if I refund a game?

Yes. When you refund a game, everything tied to it — cosmetics, battle pass progress, in-game currency, and save files — becomes inaccessible. If you buy the game again, you start from scratch.

Can I refund a game I bought on sale?

Yes. The refund amount is what you actually paid, not the original price. If you bought a game for $10 on sale (originally $20), you get $10 back.

How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?

Steam processes the refund within 5 to 7 days, but your bank takes an additional 1 to 2 billing cycles to show it. Depending on your bank, the total time can be 1 to 3 weeks. Credit card refunds sometimes appear faster than debit card refunds.