To sell games, the developers will do everything to add glamor when marketing. From cool cover pages to great cinematographic trailers just to get you to say, “Pretty cool, I should buy this!”
One hour in and your expectations are smashed to pieces. Bad buy! The game isn’t nearly as entertaining as you’d hoped.
Steam ensures you get value for your money and your entertainment. So, you can have your cake and eat it with games bought on Steam, as it allows you to return your bad buys and request a refund. Keep reading to learn more about refunding a game on Steam.
How to Refund a Game on Steam: How Long Does it Take?
When a refund is requested, Steam usually resolves it within 7-14 business days.
Please note that the processing time for your refund request may vary depending on various factors, such as the number of requests received, the payment method used, and the time needed to resolve any issues related to your refund.
Also, to be eligible for a refund, the total time you have played the game must be less than two hours. Plus, the refund request must come within two weeks of purchase as per Steam’s refund policy.
It may take up to 10 business days for your bank to process a refund after approval. You may be refunded to your Steam Wallet or the original payment method, depending on how you paid for the game.
Which Games Are Eligible for Return Under the Steam Refund Policy?
The Steam refund policy applies to all games and applications in the Steam store. The packages that you can get your money back on must meet the following criteria:
Refund Policy on In-Game Purchases
You are eligible to get a full refund if the in-game item you bought as long as it hasn’t been used, altered, or traded within 48 hours of purchase. Moreover, developers of third-party games can provide refunds for virtual items under these conditions.
Also, if other developers have enabled refunds for the game you’re buying, Steam will let you know before you complete the transaction. But, if a game’s developers make a previously paid-for item available for free on Steam, you’ll have to pay for it.
Refund Policy for Downloadable Content (DLCs)
If you have made a purchase for downloadable content from Steam’s store and you regret it, you have a large window to submit a refund request.
You have at least two weeks after purchase, provided the game has not been played for two hours and the DLC item has not been used or traded.
Third-party DLC may not be eligible for refunds, such as those that permanently boost your character’s level in a game. These DLCs are tagged nonrefundable on Steam’s game shelf before you complete your purchase.
Refund Policy for Steam Wallet Refund
If you have not used any of the funds in your Steam Wallet after purchasing them on your Steam account, you are entitled to a full refund back within two weeks of your purchase.
Where Steam Refunds Don’t Apply
On some occasions, you might not get a refund. For example, if you played the game for more than two hours or requested a refund after the validity period from purchase to expiry, then you have broken the refund rules and must stick with your purchase.
If you haven’t broken any of these rules, and you can’t seem to request a refund, then it might be due to one or all of these reasons:
- Video content, such as individual episodes or tutorials that aren’t bundled with refundable items
- Purchases made outside of Steam
- If you’ve been handed a VAC (Valve anti-cheat system) ban
Before making purchases, double-check that you’re comfortable with buying if the item you want is tagged nonrefundable.
Steps on How to Apply for a Refund on Steam Games
If you meet all the requirements set by Steam, then follow these steps:
- Log in to Steam using your details.
- Click “Help” in the top menu bar.
- Select “Steam Support.”
- Click on “Games, Software, etc.” to view all games and DLCs.
- Search for the game you want to be refunded using the bottom search bar.
- Click “I’d like to request a refund” and provide the reason for your request.
- Select your refund method, and submit the request. Steam will respond via email within a few days.
How to Cancel a Steam Refund Request?
You can cancel a pending refund request, but there’s no going back once the request has been granted. To cancel, simply go to the help page and select cancel request.
If the refund has been approved, you can wait for the funds to hit your account and then rebuy the game.
Summary
That’s a wrap on how to refund a game on Steam. It’s a win for us gamers, as we must get what we pay for, and Steam recognizes this part of customer satisfaction. You must meet the requirements stated on Steam’s refund policy before trying to get your money back on purchases. You can contact Steam’s support for any other inquiries or concerns.
