How to return a game on Steam

by James · August 1, 2022

If you’ve purchased a PC game through Steam and immediately regret your purchase, you’ll be happy to know that there is a refund system that allows you to return a game.

However, there are strict criteria for returning your game on Steam, so you won’t be able to complete a 100-hour game and expect a refund.

First, you must have played less than two hours after the game, and you must be within 14 days of the original purchase. Fail to meet both of these requirements and it is unlikely that you will be able to return the game.

But if you’re sure you’re eligible to return your Steam game, keep reading to find out how.

This is what you need:

A PC with access to Steam

The short version

Sign in to your Steam account
Click “Help” and then “Steam Support”
Select “Buy”
Select the game you want to return
Select “I want a refund”
Press “I want to request a refund”
Select refund method
Click “Send Request”
Wait for approval and payment

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1

Sign in to your Steam account

You’ll be able to return a game through your Steam account, so the first step requires you to log in as normal.
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Click Help and then Steam Support

At the top left of the Steam page, you should see the “Help” option. Press it. At the very top of the drop-down menu you will find the option for ‘Steam Support’. Press it.
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Select “Buy”

Scroll down a bit, then click “Buy”. You’ll find it between ‘Games, software, etc.’ and ‘My account’.
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Select the game you want to return

The game you want to return should be listed under ‘Last six months of purchase’. If you can’t see the selected game, it’s probably because you bought it too long ago for a return to be possible. Select the game you want to return.
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Select “I want a refund”

Near the top of the new page, under the heading “What problem are you having with this purchase?” you should see the following option: ‘I want a refund’. Press it.
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Press “I want to request a refund”

Steam will then try to offer you help fixing a game or technical issue before you resort to a refund. If this is the reason you want to return the game, it might be worth exploring. However, if you are adamant that you want to return the game, click “I want a refund”.
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Select refund method

Steam will then give you two options for a refund. You can either have store credit sent to your Steam wallet, or you can get a refund via the payment card used to purchase the game.
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Click “Send Request”

On the next page you land on, you’ll be given the option to tell Steam why you’re requesting a refund for the game. Below this you will see the option for “Submit request”. Click on this.
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Wait for approval and payment

Steam will then confirm that your request has been sent. As long as you comply with the refund policy, it should be approved. Steam claims that you will receive a full refund of your purchase within a week of approval.