How to request a refund for an Xbox purchase

Buying the wrong game or forgetting about a renewing subscription doesn't have to mean losing the money for good — Microsoft offers a refund process for Xbox purchases, though approval isn't guaranteed.

Requesting a game refund

Refunds for digital games aren't handled through the console itself but via the Xbox Support website. Users sign in, select the purchase in question, choose the refund option, provide a reason and submit the request. Once approved and processed, access to the game is removed.

What qualifies

Requests are typically approved if made within 14 days of purchase and if the player hasn't logged a "significant" amount of playtime, though Microsoft doesn't publish an exact hour limit. Requests can still be filed up to 90 days after purchase, but approval becomes less certain, and Microsoft can cap the number, type or value of refunds granted to one account per year. The policy covers digital games, most apps, bundles and some additional content, while used consumable items and virtual currency generally can't be refunded. Pre-orders can be cancelled up to 10 days before release; after that, a refund request is needed instead.

Subscription refunds

Turning off recurring billing only stops future charges — the subscription remains active until the paid period ends. A refund for the initial payment is possible within 30 days of purchase or before the next billing date, whichever comes first. The most recent recurring charge can also be refunded if cancelled within 30 days of payment, but this option is limited to once per account for each subscription type.

Processing time

Requests can take up to 72 hours to process, and once approved, funds typically return to the original payment method within another three to five business days, depending on the bank. Denied requests can be appealed by replying to the decision email, though the same request cannot be resubmitted.