Steam introduced its refund policy on June 2, 2015. This policy allows users to request refunds for games, DLC, and in-game purchases under certain conditions. Let’s answer some common questions.
Is there a time limit on Steam refunds?
Yes, there is a time limit on Steam refunds. In order to be eligible for a refund, you need to request it within 14 days of purchase and have played the game for less than 2 hours. If you meet these criteria, you can submit a refund request through Steam’s support system. Keep in mind that some exceptions may apply, and Steam may refuse a refund request if they believe it is being abused.
Is there a limit to how many games you can refund on Steam?
There is no specific limit to the number of games you can refund on Steam, but Valve, the company behind Steam, does monitor refund requests. If they notice that you are frequently refunding games or abusing the refund system, they may restrict your ability to request refunds in the future.
Steam’s refund policy states that you can request a refund for any game within 14 days of purchase, as long as you have played it for less than 2 hours. This policy is in place to ensure that users have the opportunity to try out a game and decide if it meets their expectations before committing to the purchase. However, this policy is not meant to be exploited as a way to play games for free or frequently return games after trying them out for a short time.
If you have a genuine reason for requesting a refund, such as a game not working correctly on your system or not meeting your expectations, you should not have any issues. Just be aware that excessive refund requests may lead to limitations on your account.
Is it possible to request for refund a game outside the 14-day/two-hour window?
While Steam’s official refund policy states that you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase and with less than 2 hours of playtime, there are occasional exceptions to this rule. If you have a valid reason for requesting a refund outside of the 14-day/two-hour window, you can still submit a request, and Steam Support may consider it on a case-by-case basis.
Some examples of valid reasons for refund requests outside the standard window might include:
- A game that has significant technical issues or is unplayable on your system, despite meeting system requirements
- Misleading or false information on the game’s store page
- A game that is removed from the Steam store shortly after purchase due to legal or other reasons
To request a refund outside the standard window, you can follow the same refund process by going to the Steam Support page, selecting the game you want to refund, and providing an explanation for your request. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that your request will be granted, and it will be at Steam Support’s discretion to decide if a refund is warranted in your specific case.
I love testing and writing about new tech. I'm also a gamer and an engineer. Check out my Twitter for keyboard stuff.
