Buzz
Purchasing a new PC game can sometimes lead to disappointment. Whether the game doesn’t work with your system or fails to meet your expectations, you might find yourself regretting the purchase. Fortunately, if you’ve bought a digital PC game, you could qualify for a refund.
Numerous online platforms sell digital PC games, but this guide focuses on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG, as they are among the most popular. Each of these platforms provides refund options, though their policies and procedures vary significantly.
Steam
Steam’s refund policy is clear and user-friendly: You’re eligible for a full refund on any game purchased within the last 14 days, as long as you’ve played it for less than two hours. Preorders can also be canceled for a full refund. This policy extends to gifted games, but the refund must be initiated by the recipient. Note that in-app purchases and certain DLCs are excluded from refunds.
Steam enforces its refund rules strictly, so don’t count on refunds for games bought in bundles long ago. However, exceptions are made in rare cases, such as when a game is removed from the store due to critical issues like game-breaking bugs. If you encounter such a situation, contact Steam Support for assistance.
Steps to Request a Refund for a Steam Purchase
Visit the Steam Support page and log in using your Steam credentials.
Under the section “What do you need help with,” choose “A Purchase.”
Select the game you wish to refund. If the game isn’t listed, it’s not eligible for a refund through this process.
Pick the issue you’re experiencing with the game.
Click “I’d like to request a refund.”
Complete the refund form and choose your preferred refund destination from the drop-down menu. Options include your Steam Wallet or the original payment method, such as a bank account or PayPal.
Refund requests may take up to seven days to process. Once approved, the game will be removed from your Steam library, and the refund will be issued to your chosen payment method. Note that it may take a few additional business days for the funds to reflect in your account. Any achievements or playtime stats will remain visible on your Steam community page.
For more details, check out Steam’s full refund policy here.
Epic Games Store
Similar to Steam, Epic offers refunds for any game purchased within the last 14 days, provided you’ve played it for less than two hours. Exceptions may apply in specific cases. Preorders for unreleased games are also refundable, but this excludes paid early access or beta purchases, which follow the standard time and playtime restrictions.
Epic’s approach to in-app purchases and DLC differs slightly:
Epic allows refunds for certain in-game purchases and DLC if bought through the Epic Store, provided the items remain unused, unmodified, or untransferred.
Non-refundable items include character skins, in-game currency, and consumables. Epic clearly labels nonrefundable purchases on the product’s store page.
For more details, check out Epic’s full refund policy here.
Steps to Request a Refund for an Epic Store Purchase
Certain purchases can be refunded directly through the “self-service” option available in your Epic Store account settings.
Visit the Epic Store website.
Log in using your Epic account credentials.
Click on “Account” located at the top-right corner of the page.
Select “Transactions.”
Choose the game or product you want to refund, click “Refund,” and follow the prompts.
If the item isn’t listed under Transactions or doesn’t qualify under Epic’s standard refund policy, you can still attempt to request a refund via Epic’s support page:
Navigate to Epic’s support page. Scroll down and click “Contact Us.”
Log in with your Epic account.
Fill out the form to submit your refund request. You’ll receive further instructions via email.
After your refund is processed, the game will no longer appear in your library. The refunded amount will be returned to the original payment method used during the purchase.
GOG.com
GOG provides full refunds for games purchased within the last 30 days, even if they’ve been downloaded, installed, or played. This policy also covers:
Games in Development titles (such as early access and paid beta releases).
Preorders, which remain refundable up to 30 days after the game’s release.
Games received as gifts. If you’ve gifted a game and the recipient encounters issues, you may qualify for a refund, but the recipient must initiate the refund request.
(Note: “Virtual Goods” like in-game purchases or DLC purchased through GOG are not eligible for refunds.)
For more details, review GOG.com’s full refund policy here.
Steps to Request a Refund for a GOG.com Purchase
GOG’s refund policy is the most flexible among major platforms, but it comes with a unique caveat: Unlike Steam or Epic, GOG sells DRM-free games. This means users have complete control over their purchased games, and GOG cannot delete game files from your computer after a refund. While this policy is consumer-friendly, it could potentially be exploited by those who lack ethical considerations.
Refund requests must be submitted to GOG Support and are subject to their approval. GOG also encourages users experiencing technical issues or bugs to contact support for potential solutions before proceeding with a refund request.
Once your refund is approved, the game(s) will no longer be accessible in your GOG library. The refunded amount will be returned to the payment method you specified. If GOG cannot process the refund to certain financial institutions, the funds will be credited to your account as store credit unless an alternative payment method is provided.
