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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yes. If you bought a game on Steam shortly before a sale, you can request a refund and, if Steam approves it, buy the game again at the sale price. Valve explicitly says this refund-and-rebuy scenario is not abuse. It is a refund request followed by a separate purchase—not an automatic price adjustment—and the usual refund conditions apply.
Can you refund a game bought just before a Steam sale?
Steam’s policy allows you to request a refund for a qualifying game purchase and then repurchase the title at its discounted price. Valve states: “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.” (Steam Refunds)
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The refund and the discounted purchase are separate transactions. Steam does not automatically reprice your earlier order. Submit a refund request; if it is granted, place a new order at the current sale price.
What are the standard refund rules for a game?
For games and software, Steam’s ordinary refund offer covers requests made within 14 days of purchase and with less than two hours of playtime. These are the standard criteria, not a guarantee that every request meeting them will be approved. Steam says it will also review requests outside these limits, but review does not promise approval. Policy details below reflect Valve’s page, last updated April 23, 2024.
#1 Best Overall
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
How to request a Steam refund
- Open Steam’s refund page and follow the link to Steam Support.
- Select the relevant purchase and submit a refund request. If the game’s price fell after you bought it, explain that you want a refund so you can repurchase it at the current sale price.
- If Steam approves the request, buy the game again separately at the sale price, while that offer is available.
Valve says approved refunds are issued within a week. The money goes to your Steam Wallet or, where supported in your country, back to the original payment method. (Steam Refunds)
Refund rules depend on what you bought and where
| Purchase | What Steam’s policy says |
|---|---|
| Full game or software bought on Steam | Ordinarily, request within 14 days and with less than two hours of playtime. Steam may review requests outside those conditions. |
| Steam Store DLC | Generally refundable within 14 days if the base game has been played for less than two hours since the DLC purchase, and the DLC has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Some third-party DLC is excluded; check its store page. |
| In-game purchase | For Valve-developed games, qualifying purchases can be refunded within 48 hours if the item has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Third-party developers may opt in; Steam identifies eligibility at purchase. Otherwise, Steam does not refund these purchases. |
| Third-party key or Steam Wallet card bought elsewhere | Valve cannot refund purchases made outside Steam. Contact the retailer or seller and check its refund rules. |
The details for DLC, in-game purchases, and items bought outside Steam are described in Valve’s refund policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When could a refund request be refused?
Steam says it may stop offering refunds if it believes a customer is abusing the system. However, Valve specifically excludes the sale-price example above from abuse. For requests that fall outside the usual eligibility rules, Steam promises consideration—not approval.
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Consumers in some jurisdictions may have additional rights in certain circumstances. Those rights depend on location; Steam’s general policy does not establish the rules for every country.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #4
- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
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