Bought the wrong game, or a game that does not work? Both Microsoft and Sony allow refunds for digital purchases in some situations, but their rules are very different. This guide explains how to refund a game on Xbox and how to get a PlayStation refund, step by step, with the time limits and conditions you need to know.
Can you refund games on Xbox?
Yes, in many cases. Microsoft’s refund policy for digital games bought from the Microsoft Store generally allows refund requests within 14 days of purchase, as long as you have played the game for less than about 2 hours. Microsoft reviews each request and can decline it, for example if you have requested many refunds before. Pre-orders can be canceled any time before release (and usually up to 10 days before release without needing a request). Add-ons, consumables like V-Bucks and COD Points, and subscriptions follow different rules and are rarely refundable once used.
How to refund a game on Xbox (step by step)
- On a phone or PC, go to support.xbox.com and choose Help topics > Subscriptions & billing, or go straight to the Request a refund form.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account that bought the game.
- Select the purchase from your order history.
- Choose the reason, such as “I bought it by accident” or “It doesn’t work as expected”.
- Submit the request. You get an email confirmation, and Microsoft usually replies within a few days.
If you are approved, the money returns to the original payment method or your Microsoft account balance, typically within 3-5 business days. That is how to get a refund on Xbox for a game; the same Xbox request refund form handles accidental subscription purchases.
Tips to get your Xbox game refund approved
- Request quickly, ideally within a day or two of buying.
- Do not play the game much before requesting; long play time is the most common reason for denial.
- Be honest and specific in the reason. “Game crashes at startup on Series S” works better than “I don’t like it”.
- If the game is broken, uninstall and reinstall it first, and mention that you tried.
- Keep refund requests rare; frequent refunds can get your account flagged.
How to refund games on Xbox for kids’ accidental purchases
Children buying games or currency without permission is a common reason for refunds. Submit the request through the form and explain what happened. To prevent it, set up the free Xbox Family Settings app, require a passkey or approval for purchases, and add a spending limit to your child’s account. See our Xbox account settings guide.
PlayStation refund policy
Sony’s rules are stricter. Under the PlayStation Store cancellation policy, you can request a refund for a digital game within 14 days of purchase only if you have not started downloading or streaming it. Once a download begins, you lose the right to a refund unless the content is faulty. Pre-orders can be canceled any time before release, and are refundable within 14 days after release if you have not downloaded them. PlayStation Plus subscriptions can be refunded within 14 days of purchase, with a deduction for the time used.
How to request a PlayStation refund
- Go to the PlayStation Support website and sign in.
- Search for “refund” and open the PlayStation Store refund request page, or start a live chat if available in your region.
- Pick the item from your transaction history and choose a reason.
- Submit. Sony typically responds by email within a few days.
A PlayStation refund request for a faulty game should include the error code and what you tried to fix it. Approved refunds usually go to your PlayStation wallet unless you paid with a card and request otherwise.
PlayStation Store refund vs retailer refund
Games bought at a retailer as a disc or code follow the retailer’s policy, not Sony’s or Microsoft’s. Unused codes are often refundable at the store; redeemed codes are not. Disc games can usually be returned unopened within the store’s return window.
Xbox vs PlayStation refund rules at a glance
- Time limit: both generally 14 days from purchase.
- Play time: Xbox usually allows refunds with under about 2 hours played; PlayStation only if you have not downloaded or streamed the game at all.
- Faulty games: both consider refunds for games that do not work, even after download, if the problem is confirmed.
- Pre-orders: both let you cancel before release.
- In-game currency and add-ons: rarely refundable once used on either platform.
- Subscriptions: Game Pass can be canceled any time and may be refunded for recent accidental renewals; PS Plus can be refunded within 14 days with a deduction for time used.
What if your refund is denied?
If Microsoft declines your Xbox refund, you can reply to the email or contact Xbox Support by chat and explain the situation again, especially if the game is broken. For PlayStation, ask for a supervisor through live chat if your case involves faulty content or unauthorized purchases. If your card was charged without your permission, contact Xbox or PlayStation support first; filing a chargeback with your bank can get the console account suspended until the balance is settled, so use it only as a last resort.
Refunds for unauthorized purchases and hacked accounts
If someone accessed your account and bought games or currency, change your password immediately, turn on two-step verification, and contact support. Both companies investigate unauthorized purchases separately from normal refund requests and are more flexible about them. See PlayStation account help and Xbox support.
Alternatives to a refund
- Try before you buy: Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium let you test many games first, and Premium includes timed trials.
- Gift it: unused digital codes can be given to a friend; purchased digital games cannot be transferred.
- Wait for demos: many 2026 releases, such as Reanimal and Pragmata, offered free demos before launch.
Refund FAQ
How long does an Xbox refund take?
Microsoft usually decides within a few days; the money then takes 3-5 business days to reach your card, or appears instantly in your Microsoft balance.
Can I refund a game I bought on sale and that is now cheaper?
Neither Microsoft nor Sony offers price-match refunds. Refunds only cover mistaken or faulty purchases.
Can I refund a PlayStation game after playing it for a few minutes?
Usually not, because the download already started. Faulty games are the exception.
Refunds for subscriptions and in-game currency
Subscriptions follow different rules from games. On Xbox, if you were charged for a Game Pass renewal you did not want, cancel the subscription first, then request a refund from the Microsoft account order history; Microsoft often refunds recent renewals that have not been used. On PlayStation, PlayStation Plus can usually be refunded within 14 days of purchase in regions with that policy, minus any time used. In-game currency such as V-Bucks, COD Points or Robux bought on a console is rarely refundable once it has been spent, so contact support quickly if a child makes an accidental purchase.
Keep records to speed up refunds
Save the order confirmation email for every digital purchase. The order number, date and the exact product name make a refund request much faster, whether you use the online form, live chat or a phone call.
The bottom line
Request refunds quickly, explain the problem clearly, and use the official forms. Most refunds are decided within a few days, and the money goes back to your original payment method or your account balance.