Steam gifts can be refunded, but only under specific conditions and within a narrow window

A Steam gift is a copy of a game that one account sends to another. Unlike a game you buy for yourself, a gift sits in the recipient's inventory until they accept it. If you sent a gift by mistake, or the recipient doesn't want it, Steam allows refunds — but the rules are strict. You have 14 days from the date you sent the gift, and the recipient must not have redeemed it yet. If either condition fails, the refund request will be denied.

The refund goes back to the payment method you used to buy the gift, not as Steam wallet credit. This matters if your original card is closed or if you used a different payment service. Steam processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after approval.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam gift refunds are only possible within 14 days of sending the gift, and the recipient must not have redeemed it yet.
  • You request the refund through the Support section of your own account, not through the recipient's account.
  • The refund returns to your original payment method, which may take 5 to 10 business days to appear.
  • If the 14-day window has closed or the gift has been redeemed, Steam will not process a refund under any circumstance.

Check whether the gift is still unredeemed

Before you request a refund, confirm that the recipient has not accepted the gift. Once a gift is redeemed — meaning the recipient clicked "Accept" in their inventory — it becomes a permanent part of their library and cannot be refunded. There is no way to undo a redeemed gift.

If you sent the gift to another account you own, log into that account and check the inventory. Look for the game in the "Gifts" section at the top of the inventory page. If it appears there with an "Accept" button, it is still unredeemed. If the game appears in the main library instead, it has been redeemed and you cannot refund it.

If you sent the gift to someone else's account, you cannot see their inventory directly. You will have to ask them whether they have accepted it. If they say they have not, you can proceed with the refund request.

Verify you are within the 14-day window

Steam counts the 14 days from the exact date and time you sent the gift. If you sent it on January 5 at 3 p.m., the window closes on January 19 at 3 p.m. After that moment, the refund button disappears and Steam will deny any refund request.

You do not need to calculate this yourself. When you start the refund process, Steam will tell you whether the gift is still within the window. If it is not, the system will refuse the request when ready and you will see a message explaining that the 14-day period has expired.

Request the refund through Steam Support

Open Steam on your computer and log into the account that sent the gift. Click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, click "Support" in the left sidebar.

On the Support page, you will see a list of your games and purchases. Find the gift you want to refund and click on it. Steam will open a page showing the purchase details. Look for a button labeled "I would like a refund" or "Request a refund." Click it.

Steam will ask you to choose a reason from a dropdown menu. Select "I sent this as a gift and would like a refund" or the closest match. Then click "Next" or "Continue."

On the next screen, Steam will confirm that the gift is within the 14-day window and that it has not been redeemed. If both conditions are met, you will see a "Submit" button. Click it to send the refund request.

What happens after you submit the request

Steam does not approve gift refunds when ready. The request goes into a queue and is reviewed by a support agent, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You will receive an email confirmation that your request was received.

If the request is approved, you will get a second email saying the refund has been processed. The money will return to the payment method you used to buy the gift — your credit card, debit card, PayPal account, or other service. This can take 5 to 10 business days depending on your bank or payment provider.

If the request is denied, the email will explain why. The most common reasons are that the 14-day window has closed, the gift has been redeemed, or the system detected an error in the request. If you believe the denial was a mistake, you can reply to the email and ask for a manual review, though Steam rarely overturns these decisions.

What to do if the refund is denied

If Steam denies your refund because the 14-day window has closed, there is no appeal process. The policy is absolute. However, if you sent the gift to the wrong person by mistake, you can ask that person to gift it back to you — though they are under no obligation to do so.

If the recipient has redeemed the gift and you want them to have a different game instead, you can send them a new gift. They will then have two copies of the original game in their library, which they can keep or ignore.

If you used a credit card or debit card and believe the transaction was fraudulent, you can contact your bank directly and dispute the charge. However, Steam will see this as a chargeback and may restrict your account. Use this option only if you genuinely did not authorize the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refund a gift if the recipient has already started playing the game?

No. Steam does not track playtime for gifts. The only condition that matters is whether the gift has been redeemed. Once the recipient accepts the gift, it is theirs permanently, regardless of whether they have played it for one minute or 100 hours.

What if I sent the gift to the wrong Steam account?

If the gift is still unredeemed and you are within the 14-day window, you can refund it through the normal process. Then send a new gift to the correct account. If the wrong recipient has already redeemed it, you cannot get it back — you will have to send a new gift to the correct person.

Do I get Steam wallet credit or money back to my card?

The refund always goes back to your original payment method, not to your Steam wallet. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears on that card. If you paid with PayPal, it goes back to PayPal. You cannot choose to receive wallet credit instead.

How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?

Steam processes the refund within 24 to 48 hours of approval. Your bank or payment provider then takes 5 to 10 business days to post it. Weekends and holidays can add extra time. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact your bank to confirm it was received.

Can I refund a gift that was on sale?

Yes. The refund amount is the price you actually paid, whether the game was on sale or full price. You get back exactly what you spent, not the current price.