Correct way to make return a Steam game

Thomas Lucero
1 year ago

If you have purchased a Steam game and are not satisfied with it, you can return it for a full refund. However, there are some restrictions on what games can be refunded. Games must be returned within two weeks of purchase and must have been played for less than two hours. If these conditions are met, you can request a refund through Steam’s Refunds page.

Table of content

  1. About Steam
  2. Which Games Are Eligible for Refunds on Steam?
  3. How Do You Get a Steam Game Refund?
  4. How to Refund a Game from Developers on Steam?
  5. In conclusion

About Steam

Steam is one of the leading digital distribution platforms built and developed by Valve Corporation. Launched in 2003, Steam has since become a popular gaming platform, especially for PC gamers. Over time, it has grown in popularity and now supports multiple operating systems, such as macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. 

The main purpose of Steam is to provide a platform for gamers to purchase, download, manage, and play their favorite games. It offers a vast library of over 30,000 titles from indie developers and major publishers alike. Moreover, the service includes social features, such as friends lists, chat rooms, and user profiles. 

Steam also provides users with access to developer tools that enable them to create and release their own games on the platform. This has been a major draw for many developers, as it makes it easy to get their projects into the hands of gamers worldwide. 

Steam also features various forms of digital content, such as downloadable content (DLC), game soundtracks, game modifications, and in-game purchases. All of these features make Steam an attractive destination for both gamers and developers alike.

Which Games Are Eligible for Refunds on Steam?

Requesting a refund on Steam is much easier than doing so on other game platforms, such as Xbox and PlayStation. Valve allows you to return games, preorders, DLC, in-game purchases, and unredeemed gifts as long as they meet certain criteria.

  • The item must have been purchased through Steam in the first place.
  • Third-party sites or other means of acquisition are not eligible for a refund.
  • You must submit your request within 14 days of purchase, and games can only have two hours of playtime on it.
  • In-game purchases and subscriptions can usually be refunded within 48 hours of purchase, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Refunds for Valve-developed games are available within 48 hours. However, developers of other games may need to enable their own refunds first.
  • Video content that was purchased separately from any non-video items cannot be returned unless it was part of a bundle.

You have several options for where you receive your refunded money: Steam Wallet or another payment method associated with your account, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, or PayPal.

How Do You Get a Steam Game Refund?

If you’d like to request a refund for a Steam game, the best way to do so is through Valve Corporation’s website.

  1. To start the refund process, visit their Help page and click on “Purchases”.
  2. You will then be asked to log into your Steam account.
  3. From there, you can select the game that you would like to refund. 

You will have several options provided by Valve Corporation upon requesting a refund, including exchanging it for another title or receiving store credit. It is important to understand that not all games are eligible for refunds. Certain restrictions may apply depending on how long ago you purchased the game and how much time has been played on it. 

After submitting your request, the Valve Corporation will review your request and decide whether or not to issue a refund. You should expect to receive an email response within seven days of submitting your request, informing you of the status of your refund. If it is approved, the payment will be processed within five business days and the money will be returned to your original payment method.

How to Refund a Game from Developers on Steam

Once the refund is approved, you’ll receive the money back to your Steam Wallet or through the original payment method depending on your choice. If you received a game activation code, it will be deactivated so that it cannot be used again. 

If you are requesting a refund within 14 days of purchase and have played the game for less than two hours since purchase, then Steam’s two-hour playtime policy will apply and no further action is needed. If you have played the game for more than two hours, then Steam may ask for additional information in order to process the refund. This could include screenshots, video recordings, and diagnostic files in order to investigate further into your issue with the product. 

Once all the necessary information has been provided, Steam will review the request and make a decision within a few days. If your refund is approved, you’ll receive an email confirming the refund along with instructions on how to proceed. 

It’s important to note that Steam reserves the right to deny refunds if it finds them to be in violation of its policies or terms of service. This includes requests for technical reasons that are outside of Steam’s control, such as hardware incompatibilities or software issues related to third-party drivers and applications. Refunds may also be denied if evidence shows fraud, abuse, or deceptive behavior on the part of the user.

In conclusion

In conclusion, returning a Steam game is easy. All you need to do is log in to the account you purchased it from and go to the purchase history page. Find the game you want to return and click on the “Request Refund” button and follow the instructions provided. The process should take no more than a few minutes and you will be refunded the cost of the game.  Steam’s customer support team is also available to answer any questions about refunds or returns that may arise during the process. With their help, returning a Steam game should be an easy and hassle-free experience for all users.