SteamRefunds
How long does a Steam refund take?
Approved refunds
Published guidance
Within 1 week
After approval · refund issuance
Steam says it issues the refund within one week after approval. This is the issuance window, not a deadline for approving your request or a guarantee that your bank has credited the money.
Where are you in the Steam refund process?
Choose the stage that matches what you see. This only opens published guidance: it does not check your account, save your choice or send a request.
Requested, but not approved yet
The one-week policy starts after approval, not when you submit. It does not provide a separate approval deadline. Check the request in Steam Support before starting that clock.
Read the official guidanceApproved, waiting for Steam Wallet credit
Valve’s FAQ allows 24–48 hours for approved Wallet credit to appear. Check the refund destination and purchase history: the funds may already have been used for another purchase. If it remains unresolved, use Steam Support.
Read the official guidanceApproved or issued, but missing from my bank
Valve allows up to 7 days after approval for the refund to appear; international payment methods can take longer. After 7 days, its FAQ directs you to ask your bank about pending refunds. Approval and a visible bank credit are different events.
Read the official guidanceThe original charge disappeared, with no refund credit
For refunds approved within 24 hours of purchase, Valve says the original transaction is cancelled. Your bank releases the hold instead of posting a separate credit; confirmation can take up to 30 days. Ask the bank about the original transaction, not only incoming refunds.
Read the official guidanceWhat the clock measures
- Earlier stageRefund requested
- Window startsRefund approved
- Window endsRefund issued
- Separate later stageBank or wallet receipt
A process map, not your progress. Spacing does not represent duration.
- Starts with
- Steam approves the refund.
- Ends with
- Steam issues the refund.
What can change the wait
- The destination depends on the original payment method and whether it supports refunds. Steam Wallet may be used.
- Bank receipt is a separate event. Do not count the week from the day you first requested a refund.
A useful next step
Where to check your situation
Check the purchase and refund in Steam Support. Use that case if you need further help.
Open Steam SupportWaiting for something else?
Explore the other answers