Refunds

How to get an Xbox refund

Microsoft typically refunds digital Xbox games within 14 days if you have not played much, and Game Pass has its own 30-day rules. Here is how to ask and when the money arrives.

October 26, 20267 min read

Xbox refund windows

Xbox Support and Microsoft Support, checked Oct. 26, 2026

Digital gamesTypically within 14 days, little play time

Latest game requestUp to 90 days, not guaranteed

Digital pre-ordersCancel up to 10 days before launch

First subscription charge30 days or first renewal, whichever is sooner

Renewal chargeWithin 30 days, once per subscription

Refund issuedGenerally 3 to 5 business days

Quick answer

Microsoft typically refunds a digital Xbox game if you ask within 14 days of purchase and have not played a significant amount. Request it on Xbox Support's Request a refund for digital games page by signing in, selecting the item, choosing Request a refund, giving your reasons and submitting. Processing can take up to 72 hours. Game Pass and other Xbox subscriptions are refunded when you cancel, within 30 days of your first purchase or before your first renewal. Refunds generally reach your original payment method within 3 to 5 business days.

Xbox refund rules for digital games

Microsoft says refunds for digital games are typically issued for requests made within 14 days of purchase, if you have not built up a significant amount of play time. You can ask about a game bought within the last 90 days, but not every request is accepted.

The rules cover Microsoft Store digital games, Xbox apps other than movie and TV apps, digital game bundles, durable game content and some consumable content, whether you bought it on an Xbox console, a PC or a mobile device. Microsoft also sets these limits:

Microsoft often limits the number and type of game refunds, and the amount it refunds, for each buyer in a year.
If it appears refunds are being abused, Microsoft can stop offering them except where the law requires.
If you do not have access to the account that made the purchase, Microsoft says to contact your financial institution for a refund instead.

How to request an Xbox refund

Start from Xbox Support's Request a refund for digital games page. Microsoft lists these steps:

Go to the Request a refund for digital games page and sign in with the Microsoft account that made the purchase.
Select the item and choose Request a refund.
Give the reasons for your request and select Next.
Check the details and select Submit.

Microsoft says a request can take up to 72 hours to process, and it will contact you with updates. While an approved refund is processing, you can no longer use the game. All decisions are final, but you can appeal a denial by replying to the decision email.

In-game purchases, bundles and pre-orders

Some Xbox purchases have their own rules:

Most in-game consumables and virtual currency are not refundable once purchased or used.
Single items from inside a bundle cannot be returned on their own.
You can cancel a digital pre-order in your Order history up to 10 days before the game launches. After that you may be billed, and you need to request a refund to cancel.
Digital gift cards and subscription cards may also be eligible for return under the Microsoft Store Terms of Sale.

If a game is not working, Microsoft suggests checking the Xbox status page and troubleshooting before you ask for a refund. If a purchase is missing from the refund list, it may be on another account, or it may be a subscription such as Game Pass, which has its own process.

Game Pass and other Xbox subscription refunds

Under Xbox's subscription refund policy, you can get a refund in two situations, both by cancelling your subscription:

Within 30 days of your first purchase or before your first recurring billing date, whichever comes first.
For your most recent renewal charge, if you cancel within 30 days after that payment. This is limited to one time per Microsoft account for each Xbox subscription product.

Xbox says refund requests outside these cancellation processes are not eligible. The policy does not cover prepaid subscription codes bought from a store, which follow that store's return policy, and it does not limit any extra rights you have under the law.

How to cancel Game Pass or another Xbox subscription

Turning off recurring billing stops future charges, and you keep the subscription's benefits until it expires. If you qualify for a refund, Xbox offers it as you cancel. To cancel on the web:

Go to Subscriptions in your Microsoft account and sign in with the account that bought the subscription.
Find the subscription and select Manage. If you see Turn on recurring billing instead, it is already set to expire and will not charge you again.
Select Cancel subscription and follow the instructions. If you are eligible, you will see an option to cancel immediately with a refund.

On a console, press the Xbox button, go to Profile & system, then Settings, Account and Subscriptions, choose the subscription and select Cancel subscription. If someone else's account owns the subscription, that person has to sign in and cancel it. If a third party bills you for it, contact them about cancelling and refunds.

Xbox consoles, controllers and other physical items

Xbox consoles, accessories such as headsets and controllers, and game discs bought from the Xbox Store may be eligible for a return, refund or exchange. Microsoft offers up to 60-day returns on physical Microsoft products, for selected products and markets.

Request the return from your Microsoft account Order history by finding the item and selecting Request a return, then follow the instructions to get a prepaid shipping label. After Microsoft receives the item and finds it eligible, it sends a replacement or a refund for the full amount, minus the original shipping and handling charges. Microsoft does not accept returns of products bought from another retailer.

Where the money goes and charges you don't recognize

Microsoft applies refunds to the original payment method and says they are generally processed within 3 to 5 business days. Xbox Support adds that refunds can take several business days or longer to appear, so check with your bank about when the credit will post. Our guide to tracking a refund shows how to follow it on your statement.

If you see a Microsoft charge you do not recognize, Microsoft Support's Investigate a charge on any card you own tool shows which Microsoft account made it, but only for Microsoft Store charges from the last 60 days. A surprise subscription charge can also come from another account that uses your card, such as a member of your Xbox family group. Our guide to a charge that should not be there covers what to ask your bank.

To stop purchases you did not approve, Microsoft suggests requiring a password for Microsoft Store purchases and using the Xbox Family Settings app to restrict purchases on child accounts.

Where Compass+ fits

Today, the Compass assistant runs inside Gerald with a read-only bank connection. It can see the original Microsoft charge and, later, the refund credit to your bank or card in your transactions.

It does not request refunds, cancel subscriptions or contact Xbox Support for you. Standalone Compass+ is waitlist-only while broader money-finding features are being built.

Frequently asked questions

Xbox refund FAQ

How long do I have to refund an Xbox game?

Microsoft says refunds for digital games are typically issued when you ask within 14 days of purchase and have not played a significant amount. You can send a request up to 90 days after purchase, but not every request is accepted, and Microsoft limits how many refunds it gives each buyer in a year.

Can I get a refund for Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox gives subscription refunds in two cases. You can get one within 30 days of your first purchase or before your first renewal, whichever comes first, by cancelling. You can also get your latest renewal charge back if you cancel within 30 days of that payment, once per Microsoft account for each subscription. Other refund requests are not eligible.

How long does an Xbox refund take?

Microsoft says a refund request can take up to 72 hours to process. Once the refund is issued, it generally reaches your original payment method within 3 to 5 business days, though your bank may take longer.

Can I get a refund for in-game currency on Xbox?

Usually not. Microsoft says most in-game consumables and virtual currency are not refundable once purchased or used.

What if Microsoft denies my Xbox refund request?

Microsoft says refund decisions are final and you cannot resubmit the same request. You can appeal by replying to the email Microsoft sends you about the decision.

How do I find out what an unknown Microsoft charge is?

Use Investigate a charge on any card you own in Microsoft Support. You enter your card's security details and select the charge to see which Microsoft account made it. It only covers Microsoft Store charges from the last 60 days. For anything else, contact your bank or card company.

Sources

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