Can You Get a Refund for Steam DLC? The Rules Explained

Yes—DLC bought from the Steam Store can usually be refunded within 14 days if the 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, and Steam reviews requests that fall outside its standard rules without guaranteeing approval.

Steam’s standard DLC refund rules

Steam’s policy, last updated April 23, 2024, makes a refund conditional on all of these requirements:

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• The DLC was purchased from the Steam Store, and the request is made within 14 days of that purchase.
• The underlying game has been played for less than two hours since the DLC was purchased. This measures playtime in the game after the purchase, not only time spent using the DLC.
• The DLC has not been consumed, modified, or transferred.

These are Steam’s standard conditions, not an automatic guarantee of a refund. Read the current Steam Refunds policy for the applicable terms.

When DLC may not qualify

Third-party DLC exceptions

Some third-party DLC cannot be refunded. Steam gives irreversible character leveling as an example and says the Store page identifies nonrefundable exceptions before purchase. Check the specific DLC’s Store page if you are unsure whether it is eligible.

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Purchases made outside Steam

Steam says it cannot refund purchases made outside Steam, such as third-party CD keys. For those, contact the seller from whom you bought the key.

How to request a refund

1. Check the DLC purchase date and confirm whether the request is within 14 days.
2. Check the underlying game’s playtime since that purchase, and whether the DLC has been consumed, modified, or transferred.
3. Review the DLC’s Steam Store page for a nonrefundable notice.
4. If you want to proceed, submit the request through Steam Support.

If one or more standard conditions are not met, Steam still allows you to submit a request for review. Approval is not guaranteed.

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Location-specific refund rights

Steam’s policy notes that additional rights may apply in some jurisdictions, including cases involving a faulty game. The rights available depend on your location and circumstances; the policy alone does not determine an individual legal claim.

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• This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
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