Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › question about steam refund abuse
r/Steam on Reddit: Question about steam refund abuse
December 2, 2021 -
Hey, I've just read refund policy (https://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds/) and I think that information it's not clear enough.
I also read about "Before your eyes" case where a guy was given a refund after completing the game and writing a positive review.
Do you know how Steam abuse system for refunds works? I suppose that Steam could revoke that feature to him due to his behaviour.
Can they revoke this feature to you without notice?
I would appreciate any comment.
Top answer 1 of 5
5
Typically they will issue a refund as long as you have t played 2 hours and you bought it within 14 days. If you do this a lot, they will usually send you a notification saying so and that you may not get refunds for a while. They just don't want it to be a system for people to get 2 hour demos on games for free. If you do one here and there you won't have a problem. There are some situations (like battlefield and cyberpunk) that they make exceptions to the time played and owned rules, but it is entirely discretionary. They essentially can do whatever they want and there's nothing you can do about it, but they are pretty good about it in general.
2 of 5
4
Steam dont complete remove the refund from your account, if you abuse too much they give a suspension, dont know how long,i never heard of someone losing this feature forever I think i refund 2 or 3 games a month, but theres several i keep, if you just buy and refund everything and never keeps a game prob raise a flag for steam to manual check that account
DoNotPay
donotpay.com › learn › what-is-steam-refund-abuse
What Is Steam Refund Abuse? [Explained]
While Steam has a rather generous refund policy, they keep a firm stance on customers abusing refunds on purpose.
Videos
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 0 › 2254560552299009500
What is considered as a misuse/abuse of refund system? :: Steam Discussions
Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:As I said already, the refund reasons are merely there for feedback to the game dev. Refund policy is there for technical issues and (few) honest mistakes, nothing else. I have not read this when I typed my reply. Thank you for your explanation. I will keep that in my mind. No worries, Steam forums can be hectic when multiple people reply.
Quora
quora.com › Will-you-abuse-Steam-s-refund-policy-on-a-short-game-although-you-have-had-a-great-time-playing-it-eg-A-short-game-with-good-story-and-narration-like-One-Chance
Will you abuse Steam’s refund policy on a short game although you have had a great time playing it (eg. A short game with good story and narration like One Chance)? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): I personally definitely wouldn’t. Closest I ever came to doing that was completing Dishonored during a free weekend, but that’s not exactly equatable, and I’ve given Arkane/Bethesda plenty of my money on other occasions anyway. I appreciate that for a good number of people, ...
GameSpot
gamespot.com › articles › dev-steps-away-from-making-games-after-alleged-abuse-of-steams-refund-policy › 1100-6495670
Dev Steps Away From Making Games After Alleged Abuse Of Steam's Refund Policy - GameSpot
August 27, 2021 - According to developer Emika Games, Summer of '58 has been refunded countless times despite receiving positive reviews. By Otto Kratky on August 27, 2021 at 10:44AM PDT 90 Comments · An indie developer is stepping away from making games after claiming that abuse of Steam's refund policy has prevented them from profiting on their latest title.
TheGamer
thegamer.com › home › industry › industry features › steam’s refund policy change won’t affect you unless you’re a lowlife
Steam’s Refund Policy Change, Explained
April 26, 2024 - This statement from Steam basically means that you can’t put 500 hours into a game’s early access period and immediately refund it upon release. And let’s be honest, only scumbags were exploiting this loophole anyway. There are no other changes to the lenient refund policy, so the vast majority of players will be completely unaffected by this change. To be completely honest, I’m amazed that this loophole was open for so long, as it seems ripe for abuse.
Shacknews
shacknews.com › article › 89847 › steam-refund-policy-already-being-abused-by-pc-gamers-according-to-devs
Steam refund policy already being abused by PC gamers, according to devs | Shacknews
June 8, 2015 - It hasn't even been a week, and already developers are reporting PC gamers are abusing Steam's new refund policy.
GameFAQs
gamefaqs.gamespot.com › pc › hardware › console
Do You Abuse Steam Refunds? - PC
June 4, 2023 - For PC on the PC, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "Do You Abuse Steam Refunds?" - Page 4.
SteamGifts
steamgifts.com › discussion › FVd6N › indie-developer-leaves-industry-over-steam-refund-policy-abuse
Indie Developer Leaves Industry Over Steam Refund Policy Abuse
April 28, 2021 - The horror game Summer of ’58 was released on July 21 and received very positive reviews from players. However, Emika Games disclosed that the game did not generate any profit due to its players abusing the Steam Refund Policies.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › how many refunds until it is considered abuse?
r/Steam on Reddit: How many refunds until it is considered abuse?
February 12, 2024 -
Hello,
I recently purchased five games, costing around 80$. However, I accidentally purchased them for myself instead of my friend, who they were meant for. I've refunded all of the games to my Steam Wallet with the intention of getting them for him (and I've stated as such in the refund reason), but would Steam bar me from refunding products because of this?
Top answer 1 of 5
28
Just explain to them in the little extra notes section if you need to. Ive refunded so god damn many games over the years and never got a warning. All within the 2 hour 2 week rule of course.
2 of 5
20
There would be no hard number as it would be based on multiple factors and not just an arbitrary number. Also if numbers were published or known as far as limits and resets to counters and such people could abuse it and refund just up to under the limits and then know they have X refunds again after 24 hours or w/e and completely avoid ever seeing the notices about refund abuse.
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 0 › 640179446900332623
What's considered abusing the Steam refund system? :: Steam Discussions
March 13, 2025 - You can give any reason you want, as long as fall within the criteria for refunding: less than two hours played AND less than two weeks owned AND have not been flagged as abusing the system.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › what counts as "abusing the refunding system"?
r/Steam on Reddit: What counts as "abusing the refunding system"?
September 28, 2023 - I refunded every copy, but promptly got an email from steam warning me. If they suspect you're 'buying a game just to try it for free', that'd be abusing the system.
Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-get-around-Steams-two-hour-refund-policy-as-a-small-game-developer
How to get around Steam's two-hour refund policy as a small game developer - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): So long as the game is re-playable then I don’t see the problem. It isn’t a policy you can get around. Steam’s policy exits for a good reason. Sometimes purchasers make mistakes, unwittingly, for a game that might be fine for some people, but others have issues with bugs.
Steam
store.steampowered.com › steam_refunds
Steam Refunds
We do not consider it abuse to request a refund on a title that was purchased just before a sale and then immediately rebuying that title for the sale price. You can request a refund or get other assistance with your Steam purchases at ...
Steam Support
help.steampowered.com › en › faqs › view › 784C-923B-A4A1-C825
Steam Support :: How To Request A Refund
© Valve Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. Privacy Policy | Legal | Accessibility | Steam Subscriber Agreement | Refunds
Steam Support
help.steampowered.com › en › faqs › view › 5FDE-BA65-ACCE-A411
Steam Support :: Common Refund Questions
About Valve | Steamworks | Jobs | Steam Distribution | Gift Cards
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › video games › how to refund a game on steam
How to Refund a Game on Steam
June 30, 2023 - Valve doesn't specify exactly what they consider "abuse", but you should probably be fine as long as you're not regularly buying a large number of games and refunding most of them.
PC Gamer
pcgamer.com › software › platforms
Everything you need to know about Steam refunds, explained | PC Gamer
August 3, 2017 - No. You can request as many refunds as you want through Steam, but if Valve believes you're abusing the system, it can revoke your right to request future refunds.
Steam Support
help.steampowered.com › en › faqs › view › 58A1-CCAF-6D1D-2066
Steam Support :: Pre-Order Refunds
© Valve Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. Privacy Policy | Legal | Accessibility | Steam Subscriber Agreement | Refunds
ReHack
rehack.com › gaming › steam-refund-policy-what-you-should-know
Steam Refund Policy: What You Should Know (Updated for 2025) - ReHack
July 29, 2025 - If Steam detects that you’re frequently requesting refunds, it may flag your account for potential abuse.