Game Refund Guide 2026 – How to Refund on Every Platform

Bought a game you don't like? Here's how to get your money back on every major PC platform.

Steam Refund Policy

The Rules

• Playtime: Less than 2 hours
• Ownership: Within 14 days of purchase
• Both conditions must be met

How to Refund on Steam

1. Go to Steam Support (help.steampowered.com)
2. Click Purchases
3. Select the game
4. Click I'd like to request a refund
5. Choose reason and submit
6. Wait 1-7 days for processing

Steam Refund Tips

• Refunds to Steam Wallet are processed faster than to payment method
• You can refund gifts (goes back to your account)
• Pre-orders can be refunded anytime before release
• DLC follows the same 2hr/14day rule (playtime counts from DLC purchase)
• Bundles: If you've played any game for 2+ hours, the whole bundle may be ineligible

Exceptions

• Games banned from your account cannot be refunded
• VAC bans don't affect refund eligibility
• In-game purchases in some F2P games may be non-refundable

Epic Games Store Refund Policy

The Rules

• Playtime: Less than 2 hours
• Ownership: Within 14 days
• Same as Steam

How to Refund on Epic

1. Go to your Account page
2. Click Transactions
3. Find the game and click Refund
4. Or email epicgames.com/help

Epic-Specific Notes

• Free games cannot be "refunded" (they're free)
• Coupon-discounted games refund the amount you actually paid
• Fortnite V-Bucks have a separate refund system

GOG Refund Policy

The Rules (Most Generous)

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• No playtime limit explicitly stated
• Works even if you've downloaded and played

How to Refund on GOG

1. Go to GOG Support
2. Select Orders & Payments
3. Click I want to refund my order
4. Fill out the form

GOG-Specific Notes

• The 30-day policy is a voluntary commitment by GOG
• DRM-free means you could technically keep the files (but ethically shouldn't)
• Refunds are generally processed within 48 hours

Other Platforms

EA App

• 24 hours after first launch OR 14 days from purchase
• Full game trials don't count toward playtime
• Request through EA Help

Xbox/Microsoft Store (PC)

• 14 days, less than 2 hours playtime
• Digital content may have restrictions
• Request through Xbox Support

Humble Bundle

• Bundle keys: Generally non-refundable once revealed
• Humble Store purchases: Unrevealed keys can be refunded within 14 days
• Humble Choice: Contact support for subscription issues

Refund Comparison Table

When You Should Refund

Good Reasons

• Game doesn't run on your hardware
• Significant performance issues
• Game is nothing like what was advertised
• You bought it accidentally
• Found it significantly cheaper elsewhere (buy cheap, refund original)

When Refund May Be Denied

• Exceeded playtime/ownership limits
• Repeated refund requests (abuse flag)
• Banned for cheating in the game
• Gift card purchases (varies by platform)

Tips for Smooth Refunds

1. Act quickly – The sooner you request, the smoother it goes
2. Be honest – State your real reason
3. Check playtime – Verify you're under the limit before requesting
4. Prefer wallet refunds – They process faster
5. Don't abuse the system – Stores track refund frequency

FAQ

Q: Will too many refunds get my account flagged? A: Steam has warned that excessive refunds may limit future refund eligibility. Use refunds for genuine issues.

Q: Can I refund a game I've had for months but never played? A: No, the 14-day window (30 for GOG) starts from purchase, not from first play.

Q: Can I refund in-game currency? A: Generally no. Most in-game currency purchases are final.

Q: What if the game breaks after a patch? A: Steam may grant exceptions for games that become broken. Contact support with details.