Steam lets you delete your account, but the process is slower than signing out and you lose access to all your games
Deleting a Steam account is permanent. Once you start the deletion process, you have 30 days to change your mind. After that 30-day window closes, Valve removes your account, your game library, your friends list, and any wallet balance you had. You cannot recover the account or the games afterward. If you straightforward want to stop using Steam without losing your games, signing out or creating a new account is faster and safer.
The deletion process happens through Steam's support system, not through your account settings. You will need to visit the Steam Support page, confirm your identity, and submit a deletion request. Valve does not delete accounts when ready — the 30-day waiting period is built in so you can cancel if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Steam account deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes all games, friends, and wallet money from your account.
- You start the deletion process through Steam Support, not through your account settings menu.
- You have 30 days from the deletion request to cancel and keep your account active.
- If you only want to stop playing, signing out or switching to a new account preserves your game library without permanent loss.
- Valve will not restore a deleted account or transfer games to another account after deletion is complete.
Starting the deletion request through Steam Support
Go to the Steam Support website at help.steampowered.com. At the top of the page, click "My Account" if you are not already logged in, then log in with your Steam username and password. Once you are logged in, look for the "Accounts" section on the left side of the support page.
Click "Accounts" and then select "I want to permanently delete my Steam account." Steam will show you a page explaining what deletion means: you lose all games, all friends, all trading cards, all achievements, and any money in your Steam wallet. Read through this carefully. At the bottom of the page, click the button to confirm you understand and want to continue.
Steam will ask you to enter your password again to confirm your identity. Type your password and click the button to proceed. This second password check is a safety measure to prevent accidental deletion.
The 30-day waiting period and what happens during it
After you submit the deletion request, your account enters a 30-day waiting period. During these 30 days, your account is still active but marked for deletion. You can still log in, but Steam will show a message on your account page saying deletion is pending. You can cancel the deletion request at any time during this window by going back to Steam Support and selecting "Cancel my account deletion request."
Your games remain in your library during the waiting period, but you should not purchase anything new or add funds to your wallet. Any money you spend or add during this time may be lost when the account is deleted. If you have a Steam wallet balance, Valve does not refund it — the money disappears when the account is removed.
After the 30 days pass, Valve automatically completes the deletion. You will no longer be able to log in, and your account cannot be recovered. The username may become available for other users to claim after some time, though Valve does not publish a timeline for when that happens.
What you lose when your account is deleted
Every game in your library is removed from your account. This includes games you purchased, games you received as gifts, and free games you claimed. You cannot transfer these games to another Steam account or to another person. If you own a game on Steam and delete your account, that game is gone — you would have to purchase it again on a new account.
Your Steam wallet balance disappears. If you have $20 in your account, that $20 is not refunded to your original payment method — it straightforward vanishes. Any trading cards, achievements, screenshots, or game progress tied to your account is also deleted. Your friends list is erased, and anyone who had you as a friend will see your name disappear from their list.
If you own a Steam community profile, badges, or items in your inventory, those are all removed. If you have been part of Steam groups or communities, your membership and any posts you made will be deleted. Valve keeps some data for legal and fraud-prevention reasons, but your public profile and all user-facing content is removed.
Alternatives to deletion if you want to stop using Steam
If you want to step away from Steam but are not sure about permanent deletion, you can straightforward stop logging in. Your account will remain inactive, but your games stay in your library. If you change your mind later, you can log back in and resume playing. Your friends list, achievements, and wallet balance all remain untouched.
You can also create a new Steam account and start fresh without deleting your old one. This way, if you want to return to your original account and its game library, the option is still there. Some people use this approach when they want a clean slate but do not want to lose access to games they have already purchased.
Another option is to change your account privacy settings to make your profile invisible to friends and the public. You can set your profile to private, hide your game library, and turn off notifications so Steam does not contact you. This gives you distance from the platform without losing your games or account history.
What to do before you delete your account
If you have decided deletion is what you want, take these steps first. Write down the names of any games you own that you might want to play again in the future — you will need to remember them if you create a new account later. Check your Steam wallet balance and spend any remaining funds on games or items before you submit the deletion request, since that money will be lost otherwise.
If you have friends you want to stay in touch with, exchange contact information or social media handles with them before deletion. Once your account is deleted, they will not be able to message you through Steam or see your profile. If you are part of any Steam groups or communities that matter to you, note down the group names so you can rejoin them on a new account if you want to.
Take screenshots of your achievement list or game library if you want to keep a record of what you owned. Steam does not provide an export tool for this, but a screenshot is a straightforward way to preserve the memory of your account before it is deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my deletion request after I submit it?
Yes, you have 30 days from the date you submit the deletion request to cancel it. Go back to Steam Support, log in, and select "Cancel my account deletion request." Your account will return to normal and deletion will not proceed. After the 30 days pass, cancellation is no longer possible.
Will Valve refund my Steam wallet balance when I delete my account?
No. Any money in your Steam wallet is forfeited when your account is deleted. Valve does not refund wallet balances to your original payment method. If you have funds remaining, spend them on games or items before you submit the deletion request.
Can I transfer my games to another Steam account?
No. Steam games are tied to the account that purchased or claimed them. You cannot move games between accounts, and deletion does not change this. If you delete your account, those games are gone and cannot be recovered or transferred.
What if I forget my password and cannot log in to start the deletion?
Use Steam's password reset tool on the login page. Enter your email address or phone number associated with the account, and Steam will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with the deletion request through Steam Support.
How long does it take for my account to be completely deleted?
The deletion process takes 30 days from the date you submit the request. After 30 days pass, Valve automatically completes the deletion and your account becomes inaccessible. You cannot log in after this point, and the account cannot be recovered.