How to request Xbox refunds on games and subscriptions

Xbox gives users an avenue to refund purchases and subscriptions.

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The Xbox ecosystem features thousands upon thousands of games, DLC and in-game purchases, apps, subscription services, and more, all of which are available to players and provide endless ways to have fun. There are times, however, when a purchase doesn’t pan out as expected. If the game or game purchase is broken and doesn’t work, doesn’t deliver what it promised, or simply doesn’t appeal to the purchaser, Microsoft provides methods with which players can seek a refund or cancellation.

Even thebest Xbox gamescan be refunded if you have reason. Players may notalwayshave these options available to them (there are rules and requirements in place to prevent abuse), but players can often get refunds or easily cancel unwanted subscriptions straight from their Xbox console, or through their Microsoft Account online. Here’s everything you need to know about requesting refunds for Xbox games, game purchases, and subscriptions.

How can I request refunds for games & game purchases on Xbox?

When investing in the expansive Xbox ecosystem, it’s inevitable that mistakes will eventually be made. A product may be bought that doesn’t work as planned or is genuinely broke (likeCyberpunk 2077 on consoles at launch); you may make a purchase and then realize you bought the wrong thing or made a mistake; a child or another Xbox user in your household may accidentally make a purchase from your account; and any other reason that would lead you to pursue a refund from Xbox and Microsoft.

Microsoft makes the process of refunding Xbox games and game purchases easy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any restrictions on using the service. Here’s what you need to know before requesting a refund for an Xbox purchase:

Refunding online

There’s currently only one way to pursue a game or digital purchase refund on Xbox — through a web browser and Xbox Support. Here’s what you need to know about requesting refunds for Xbox online:

How can I cancel or refund subscriptions on Xbox?

The Xbox ecosystem features a variety of subscription services that can provide numerous benefits and enhance your gaming experience, such asXbox Game PassandXbox Live Gold. Xbox subscriptions can be canceled or refunded if the price is increasing and you no longer see the value in the service; if you’ve decided you no longer make sufficient use of the subscription to justify paying for it; or any other reason that might encourage you to end your relationship with a subscription.

Microsoft makes the process for canceling or refunding subscriptions even easier than game purchases, but there are still a few things that everyone should know. Here’s what you need to know before canceling or refunding a subscription on Xbox:

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Canceling on Xbox

There are two ways to cancel a subscription on Xbox — via an Xbox console or Microsoft’s online portal. Here’s how to cancel a subscription directly from your Xbox:

Canceling online

There are two ways to cancel a subscription on Xbox — via an Xbox console or Microsoft’s online portal. Here’s how to cancel a subscription directly from any device with a web browser:

All your gaming needs, in one subscription

Is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate the best value in all of gaming? It’s possible. Ultimate bundles your Xbox Live Gold subscription, Xbox Game Pass for Xbox consoles and PC Game Pass for Windows devices, and Xbox Cloud Gaming for on-the-go fun. That means access to hundreds of games, with more added all the time, for a single monthly subscription cost.

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter@BoddyZachary.