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Use the redemption page that matches your code: redeem a Steam Wallet Code or Gift Card at Steam’s Wallet Code page; activate a Steam game key at Steam’s product-key page or in the desktop client under Games → Activate a Product on Steam…. A key for another launcher must be redeemed there instead.
Identify what kind of code you have
“Steam code” can refer to several different things. Check the card, retailer listing, purchase email, or instructions before entering it: the code type determines both where it belongs and what it adds to your account.
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| Code type | What it does | Where to redeem it |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Wallet Code | Adds credit to the Steam Wallet of the account that redeems it | Steam Wallet Code page |
| Physical Steam Gift Card | Adds credit after you reveal the code on the card | Steam Wallet Code page |
| Steam game or product key | Adds the associated game or product license to your Steam account | Product-key page or Steam desktop client |
| Steam-issued key for an external service | Registers a game with a publisher’s or another service’s account | The external service named in the game’s instructions |
| Key not intended for Steam | Activates through the store or launcher for which it was sold | The named store or launcher; adding it to Steam as a shortcut does not create a Steam license |
A game key should be explicitly identified as a Steam key in the seller’s listing or instructions. A Wallet Code cannot activate a game, and a game key cannot add Wallet credit. Steam’s product-key activation guidance explains which keys Steam accepts.
Redeem a Steam Wallet Code or Gift Card
Use the browser redemption page
- Open https://store.steampowered.com/account/redeemwalletcode/.
- Sign in to the Steam account that should receive the balance. Check the account before proceeding.
- Enter the code in the Steam Wallet Code field and select Continue.
- Follow any on-screen confirmation, then check the Wallet balance on that same account.
The balance is attached to the account that redeems the code. Steam says Wallet funds cannot be transferred or gifted to another account, and cannot be withdrawn. Wallet credit can be used for eligible purchases sold through Steam. See Steam’s Wallet and Gift Card information.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Currency and physical cards
Steam says a Wallet Code or Gift Card is converted to the currency of the Wallet when redeemed. That does not mean every code is usable in every situation: regional or other restrictions may apply, so check the seller’s terms and Steam’s redemption page if the code is rejected. Steam’s support information says existing physical Gift Cards remain redeemable, while retail distribution is being phased out; retailers are expected to run out by the end of 2026, with availability varying by country and seller. Digital Steam Gift Cards remain available through Steam’s official digital gift-card page.
Redeem from the Steam client
Sign in to the intended account in the Steam client and open the Wallet or account area. If you do not see a Wallet Code option, use the browser page above; Steam directs users to that page for Wallet Code redemption rather than establishing one identical desktop menu path for every client layout.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Activate a Steam game or product key
In the desktop client
- Open the Steam desktop client and sign in.
- Select Games → Activate a Product on Steam… from the top menu. Depending on the client layout, you can also select + Add a Game in the lower-left corner, then choose Activate a Product on Steam….
- Follow the prompts and enter the product key when asked.
- Review the product shown by Steam and complete activation.
- Open your Library and look for the newly added product.
Steam documents these activation routes in its product-key FAQ and activation instructions.
In a browser
- Go to https://store.steampowered.com/account/registerkey/.
- Sign in if prompted.
- Enter the Steam product key and accept any applicable terms.
- Check the product name shown before finalizing, then submit the key.
- Check the Library for the activated product.
This registration page is for Steam product keys, not Wallet Codes. It can be useful on a phone or when the desktop client is unavailable.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Check whether the key belongs on Steam
Look for an explicit mention of Steam in the retailer’s listing, email, or packaging. A key described for a publisher launcher or another platform is not a Steam product key, even if the game is also sold on Steam.
There is an important difference between a key for adding a game to Steam and a key Steam provides for use elsewhere. Some Steam games display a CD key after download or installation; that key may be for registration with a publisher or third-party service, not for activating the game again on Steam. Follow the named service’s instructions. Steam explains this distinction in its third-party CD key guidance.
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If a key is not for Steam, you may be able to add the game executable as a non-Steam shortcut through Steam’s Add a Non-Steam Game… option. That creates a Library shortcut only; it does not grant a Steam license or Steam-specific benefits such as Steam achievements or Steam Cloud support. Steam distinguishes this from product activation in its non-Steam game guidance.
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“Invalid product code”
- Confirm the key was sold for Steam, not another store or launcher.
- Compare each character with the original card, email, or receipt. Steam calls out common confusions such as 0 and O, Q, or D; 1 and I or L; B and 8; and G and 6. Do not keep guessing—verify against the original source.
- If it is a Wallet Code bought at a physical retailer, allow several hours for the retailer’s activation to complete.
- If it still fails, contact the retailer or seller and provide the purchase details. Steam directs users with invalid retail or digital game keys to verify that the key is for Steam and then contact the seller if the problem persists.
Region restrictions, an inactive retail code, or a key that was revoked or improperly supplied may also prevent activation. Steam does not promise to replace every failed third-party key.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
“Duplicate product code”
Steam says this means the product key is already tied to a Steam account and cannot be registered again. If you did not redeem it, contact the seller with your proof of purchase rather than repeatedly submitting it.
A Wallet Code has not worked yet
For a code bought in a shop, wait several hours in case the retailer has not completed activation. If it remains unusable, Steam’s Wallet support says to contact Support with a clear image or scan of the entire code and the matching retail receipt. If the code is printed directly on the receipt, Steam says the retailer must resolve the issue.
The code is for another launcher
Do not submit an external-service key to Steam’s product-key page. Use the publisher or service named in the instructions; Steam says problems with third-party registration keys should be handled by the external developer or publisher.
Quick Recap
Keep your code and account safe
- Enter codes only on steampowered.com pages or in the official Steam client. Use the direct URLs above rather than a link sent by a stranger.
- Never send an unused code to someone claiming to be Steam Support, or enter it on a site offering account verification, trade recovery, free games, or gift-card validation.
- Do not pay anyone for taxes, fines, technical support, a job, a prize, or account recovery with Steam Gift Cards or Wallet Codes. Steam’s Wallet support page discusses gift-card scams.
- Keep the card packaging and receipt until redemption succeeds. Share code images only with the official support channel when Steam requests them for a specific Wallet Code issue.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
