Xbox Refund: Procedure Overview

Xbox One console sold tons of millions of games across the globe. With a treasure trove of titles on its official store, some problems do take place once in a while. With that said, if you’ve ever bought a popular title and faced certain disappointments, you were most likely curious about the possibility of getting your investments back. In this post, we’ll cover the basics of getting an Xbox refund. Stay tuned for details.

Know the Rules: Vague Made Specific 

Until recently, requesting a refund for any video game was out of the question, irrespective of the platform it was developed for. Not long ago, the tide began to turn in this respect. However, the fact that the procedure became possible didn’t make the whole thing a piece of cake. You’ll make sure of it when you dive into the highly uninspiring Xbox refund rules. 

Based on these rules, the games that the company sells are non-returnable, with the exception of some extremely rare cases. Pinpointing what exactly stands behind the notion of rare cases is not exactly a walk in the park. Once you make more than a few attempts of clarifying the issue with their support representatives, you might figure out the following:

  • to get the money-back procedure started, you need to back it with valid grounds;
  • this is possible only within two weeks after the purchase;
  • say bye-bye to your finances if you’ve already played the just-purchased title for over 2 hours from all accounts;
  • returning your investment is possible if the game download and launch were made at least once.

“So what are the ‘valid grounds’ anyway?”, we hear you inquire. Find specifications below:

  • you’ve accidentally bought the wrong title;
  • the game won’t launch or play due to technical issues;
  • there’s a mistake in your bill;
  • someone else bought an Xbox title via your account.

Once your request gets approval, you’ll get refunded within several business days. Microsoft doesn’t specify if you can select the preferred refund payment solution or not. Most likely, you’ll get your refund via the method you originally used for making the purchase.

Step-By-Step Guide

To get the procedure going, start by finding a refund button in the corresponding website section and then follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your account via your login details.
  2. Jump to your Order history section.
  3. Hit the game order number and then Request a refund.
  4. Ensure that the data you’ve provided is correct. 
  5. Choose the grounds for your disappointment.
  6. Based on what you will choose, some extra details might be required.
  7. Indicate the email you choose to utilize for the purpose.
  8. Click Submit and that’s about it. 

The Waiting Game

Once you submit your request, the company will email you a confirmation message. Upon deciding if the game you bought is refundable in accordance with the details you’ve provided and in relation to their policies, a customer support manager will get in touch with you within the next 3 days. Use your account for checking the status of the matter. In case you have further questions about your request, replying to the aforementioned Microsoft confirmation email would be the best choice.

Vital Points to Consider 

Although Microsoft’s refund principles do not sound too encouraging, succeeding in this venture is possible. Just make sure you avoid mistreating the system and thus, giving the company legal freedom to refuse to offer you the possibility for a refund altogether. Another vital point to take into account is before making a refund request, you should first and foremost make sure that your purchase is easily locatable in the Order history. In case it’s not, then you probably:

  • bought the game less than 24 hours ago;
  • made a purchase via an alternative account;
  • pre-ordered the title;
  • got an item in its physical form;
  • sent someone the game as a present. 

To Wrap Up: Be Patient, Polite, and Persistent

As you’ve probably guessed, the refund rules for Xbox video games are not as forthright as us gaming enthusiasts would want them to be. However, with some patience, politeness, persistence, and (of course!) knowledge, you can succeed. If you know a thing or two about the procedure, feel free to share your two cents in the comments below. We value your input greatly.