Shopping with Steam
Check the product type before you buy
Steam sells several kinds of content, and the rules differ between them. Full games and software are the main category, but DLC, bundles, in-game purchases, subscriptions and hardware each have their own refund conditions. Read the product page before checkout, because some third-party DLC is marked non-refundable there.
Understand the refund window
Steam's official policy says refunds can be requested for games and software purchased from the Steam store within two weeks, provided the title has been played for less than two hours. Pre-release purchases start the fourteen-day clock on the release date rather than at purchase, so a pre-order can be cancelled before launch.
Know where refunds don't apply
Keys bought from third-party retailers cannot be refunded through Steam, and video content such as films and series is generally excluded unless bundled with refundable items. In-game purchases in non-Valve games are not refundable through Steam, so check the in-game item notice at purchase.
Use the store and library together
Your library keeps every purchase tied to one account, which makes it easier to reinstall or track what you already own. For hardware, treat a reservation and a completed order as different stages, and confirm the complete basket and compatibility from your signed-in account before paying.
