We’ve all been there. You booted up your PS5, saw a booming sale, and bought a ton of games without thinking. A few days later, you have buyer’s remorse. While you might think refunding games on PlayStation is difficult, it’s actually quite straightforward. So with that, keep reading as we teach you how to refund a game on the PS5 right now.
Understanding the Refund Policy for PS5 Games
Let’s clear the air. The only way to refund a game on the PS5 is by contacting PlayStation support through the official website. Unfortunately, there isn’t an option for this directly on the PS5 console. Furthermore, every PlayStation purchase has eligibility criteria that you must meet to process a refund. These criteria include:
- Games and DLCs: Must not have been downloaded or streamed and must be less than 14 days old.
- Subscriptions: A refund request must be made for the first payment and within 14 days of signing up.
- Pre-Orders: A refund request must be made 14 days before the release date and must not have been downloaded or pre-loaded.
With that cleared up, let’s dive into how to refund a game on the PlayStation Store!
Steps to Refund a PS5 Game via the PlayStation Store on PC
To initiate a refund for a game purchased on the PS5 or PS Store, you need to visit the official PS website and submit a request. Here’s how you can do it:
- First, head over to the PS Store refunds website and sign in to your account.
- Click on the “PS Store & Refunds” and then select the “PlayStation Store refunds” option.
- The page will scroll down to contact options. Click on the “Refund Assistant” and then “Chat Now.”
- Once the PlayStation Online Assistant opens, enter your full name and click on “Start Chatting.”
- The assistant will ask if you’re the owner that was charged. Click on “Yes.”
- Next, choose “Return a game or add-on” as the type of purchase.
- Select “Accidentally purchased it” for the reason for the refund.
- Finally, when asked if you’ve streamed or downloaded the content, select “No.”
- After following these steps, you’ll be connected to an online Sony representative to explain your situation.
- If your purchase and reasons meet the criteria, they will approve the refund.
Once the process is done, the refund amount will return to your original payment method within three to five business days. If your payment method has expired, the funds will be credited to your PS Store wallet.
Refunding a PS5 Game via the PlayStation App
If you prefer to refund your PS5 game using the official PlayStation App, follow these simple steps:
- On the PlayStation app home screen, tap the Settings (gear icon). Scroll down to PlayStation Network and select “Support”.
- Tap on “PS Store and Refunds” then “Purchases & PS Store” followed by “Requesting a PS Store refund.”
- Select the purchase you wish to refund. Follow the same assistant bot as outlined above.
Once you complete the steps within the app, your refund will be processed back to your payment method or wallet, ensuring a seamless experience.
Best Practices to Ensure a Successful Refund
Unfortunately, unlike refunding a Steam game, the PS Store has a strict refund policy that can often lead to denials. To maximize your chances of approval, consider the following best practices:
- Disable Automatic Downloads: If you’ve downloaded a game, you cannot request a refund. Prevent automatic downloads by navigating to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates and toggling off Auto-Download and Auto-Install in rest mode.
- Watch Gameplay Videos: Before purchasing, watch gameplay videos of the game to ensure it meets your expectations. This can save you from the hassle of a refund.
- Act Quickly: While Sony has a 14-day refund policy, it’s best to decide within 48 hours after purchase to increase your chances of a successful refund.
Following these tips can help streamline your refund process and ensure a satisfactory experience. If you continue to experience issues, feel free to ask your questions in the comments!
