Steam Return Policy
To receive a full refund on a return transaction, you must request a refund within the necessary time frame, which varies based on the product type. Steam also requires that you have less than 2 hours of gameplay time or have not manipulated the purchase.
Types of Purchases
GamesPre-purchased gamesGifted softwareDownloadable ContentIn-game purchasesSteam wallet currency
1. Games
Video games published to Steam are eligible for a refund. To receive a refund on a Steam game, request the refund within 14 days of purchase with less than 2 hours of gameplay put into the game. This means you cannot have played more than 2 hours of the game or software to receive the full refund of the game.
2. Pre-purchased games
Pre-purchased games are games that are bought before their release and the buyer receives the product when it is released on the steam page. To receive a refund on a pre-purchased game, request the refund before the game’s release. After the game’s release, you are given 14 days of its release to request with less than 2 hours of gameplay put into the game. This means you cannot have played more than 2 hours of the game or software to receive the full refund of the game.
3. Gifted Software
Gifted software is games that a Steam account holder purchases to send to someone else through the application. To receive a refund on gifted software, you must request while the gift is unredeemed. The recipient must initiate the refund for it to return to the purchaser within 14 days of purchase with less than 2 hours of gameplay put into the game. This means you cannot have played more than 2 hours of the game or software to receive the full refund of the game.
4. Downloadable Content
Downloadable content is gameplay that adds to the game’s experience of its intended game. To receive a refund on a Steam downloadable content (DLC), request the refund within 14 days of purchase with less than 2 hours of gameplay put into the game. This means you cannot have played more than 2 hours of the game or software to receive the full refund of the game. Steam also states that the DLC must not have been modified in any way, such as tampering with the game files.
5. In-game Purchases
In-game purchases are purchases made within the game application rather than the steam application. To receive a refund on an in-game purchase on Valve-owned games, request the refund within 48 hours of the purchase. The in-game purchase cannot be used within the game depending on the elements the purchase adds to the game. Other games not owned by Valve have their refund policy and you should be able to find the conditions of their refund policy through their company.
6. Steam Wallet Currency
The Steam Wallet is the money used through the Steam application and is used to make purchases through the application. It is possible to add to your wallet to use for future purchases. To receive a refund on Steam wallet currency purchases, request the refund within 14 days of purchase. It is necessary that you also have not used the currency to receive the full refund.
Conclusion
Now we have learnt ‘Steam Return Policy’, Purchases made through the Steam application can be returned and refunded within each type of purchase’s desired timeframe. Purchases made that do not follow the requirements for their product type could potentially not receive a full refund. Other types of returns can be found through their policy within the application.
- What is the Steam policy for hardware?
You can request a cancellation on Hardware purchases through the steam application from your account. From there, you will be redirected to a representative to discuss the hardware’s condition to see if it qualifies for a full refund. You must make your request for a refund 14 days of the purchase through Steam or any third-party seller.
- What is the Steam policy on Renewable Subscriptions?
Renewable Subscriptions are recurring purchases made through the Steam application that you have access to under a contract period. You can cancel the subscription anytime through your account; however, if you want to refund a previous purchase within the cycle, you must request it within 48 hours of the initial purchase or renewal period.
- What cannot be returned?
Products that cannot be requested for a refund through Steam are those from outside sources, such as third-party key purchases. Video content is also non-refundable unless it is part of a bundle of refundable content. Abusing the refund system can also result in products turning non-refundable.
