How to request Microsoft Store refunds on Windows 10 and 11

How-to
By
published

Get your money back.

Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

A wide variety of awesome products are offered on the Microsoft Store marketplace. Unfortunately, sometimes an item you ordered from the Microsoft Store may arrive damaged or ineffective, and digital games or apps may not be as fun or useful as you were hoping they would be. In these situations, Microsoft allows you to request a refund for the item, game, or application that you ordered.

In this Windows 11 guide we'll show you how to request Microsoft Store refunds on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including top-notch PCs, excellent peripherals, and some of the best Xbox games ever made.

How to request Microsoft Store refunds for physical items

Here's how to request Microsoft Store refunds for physical items on Windows 10 or 11:

  1. In the Microsoft Store app, click on your profile at the top right of the page.
  2. Select Manage accounts and devices. This will open your Microsoft account settings page in your default internet browser.
  3. Select Order History under the Payment & billing menu at the top of the page.
  4. Select Request a return next to the item you want a refund for.Source: Windows Central

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)
  1. Pick a reason for your return in the window that pops up, and select Continue.
  2. In the next window, select Start return.Source: Windows Central

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft will then send you a prepaid shipping label that you can use to return your item. A refund will be issued to you 3-5 business days after Microsoft receives the return.

How to request Microsoft Store refunds for digital products

Here's how to request Microsoft Store refunds for digital products like games or applications:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Store Digital Refunds page.
  2. Select the checkbox next to the game or app you want to refund.
  3. Select either of the Request a refund buttons.
  4. Pick a reason for your refund request in the window that pops up, and then select Next.Source: Windows Central

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft Store Refund (Image credit: Windows Central)
  1. Review your request, then select Submit.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

If Microsoft approves your submitted refund request, you will be issued a refund after several business days. Note that Microsoft generally only issues refunds for requests that meet the following criteria:

  • Requests are made within 14 days of the date you purchased the game or app
  • Requests for games or apps that you haven't played or used for significant periods of time

In situations where you don't meet the criteria, a yellow warning icon will appear next to your refund request that indicates the refund request is conditional and that it may not be granted. To improve the chances of your refund request being granted without the outlined criteria, you'll need to leave a comment while creating your request that explains your situation. You can check the status of your refund request on the Refund status tab on the Digital Refunds page.

More Windows resources

For more information on how to request refunds for games and apps, don't miss our guide on how to request Xbox refunds on games and subscriptions using the console. Also, for more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, visit the following resources:

Brendan Lowry
Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.