What happens if you refund a game and buy it again on Steam?
If you refund a game on Steam and then decide to buy it again, you can do so as long as the time played across all owned time is less than 2 hours and it is less than two weeks from the original purchase, but be aware that buying and refunding a single game multiple times may get your account flagged as abusing the refund policy. The refunded purchases will be removed from your account, but the game files will still be on your computer, and you won’t be able to play the game until you repurchase it.
Refund Policy and Game Ownership
Refunding a game on Steam is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the refund policy and how it affects game ownership. When you refund a game, you are essentially cancelling your purchase, and the game will be removed from your library. However, if you want to buy the game again, you can do so, but you’ll need to repurchase it, and the game files will need to be redownloaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Refund Questions
- What happens to Steam game after refund?: Refunded purchases will be removed from your account, but the game files will still be on your computer.
- Is Steam generous with refunds?: While Steam’s refund policy is relatively generous and easy to use, you still need to know a few things before submitting a refund request.
- Does refunding a game delete it Steam?: Refunding a game will remove it from your library, but the game files will still be on your computer.
Buying and Owning Games
- Can you own 2 copies of the same game on Steam?: No, you can only have one instance of a game on your account, but you can buy additional copies as gifts for other users.
- Can you own the same game twice on Steam?: You can only own a single copy of any game per Steam account, but you can buy extra copies and gift them to other users.
- Can I buy the same game twice on Steam after refund?: Yes, as long as the time played across all owned time is less than 2 hours and it is less than two weeks from the original purchase.
Refund Limits and Abuse
- Can you get in trouble for refunding too many games on Steam?: There’s no set number, but your refund privileges might indeed be revoked if you abuse the refund policy.
- How many refunds will Steam allow?: You can submit any number of refund requests for eligible purchases, but abusing the refund policy may result in consequences.
Game Installation and Removal
- Will it uninstall automatically?: No, the game files will still be on your computer, but you won’t be able to play the game until you repurchase it.
- Can you reinstall bought games on Steam?: Yes, Steam lets you uninstall and reinstall any game you’ve paid for whenever you want.
Steam Account and Purchases
- What happens if you purchase a game you already own on Steam?: If you try to buy a game you already own, the “buy for myself” button will be grayed out, and you can only buy it as a gift.
- How do I buy a game again on Steam?: You can repurchase a game by going to the store page and clicking on the “buy” button.
Steam Community and Features
- Why do I need to spend $5 dollars on Steam?: To access certain community features, you need to have spent at least $5.00 USD in Steam to prevent spam, scams, and phishing.
- Do I have to spend 5 dollars on Steam to trade?: Yes, you need to add $5 to your wallet or spend $5 in the Store to level up and access trading features.
Steam Store and Purchases
- What is the refund policy for Steam?: Valve will, upon request, issue a refund for any title that is requested within 14 days of purchase and has been played for less than 2 hours.