EA refunds work through their online support system, and the window to request one depends on what you bought and how you paid
Electronic Arts (EA) handles refunds through their official website, not through Steam or console stores, even if you bought the game there. You start by logging into your EA account, finding your purchase history, and submitting a refund request through their support portal. The timeline and approval depend on whether you bought a full game, in-game currency, a battle pass, or downloadable content — and whether you've already used what you bought.
Most game refunds go through if you ask within 24 hours of purchase and haven't launched the game. In-game currency and cosmetics are harder to refund once you've spent them. If you bought through a third-party store like Steam or PlayStation Network, you may need to contact that platform first, though EA can sometimes override their decision.
Key Takeaways
- EA's refund window is typically 24 hours from purchase for unopened games, but this varies by game and region.
- You request refunds through your EA account on their website, not through the game itself or a phone call.
- In-game currency and cosmetics purchased with real money are refundable only if you haven't spent them yet.
- If you bought through Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox, try that platform's refund process first — it's often faster than going through EA directly.
- Refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days once approved, though the time varies by your payment method and bank.
How to request a refund through EA's website
Go to help.ea.com and sign in with your EA account. Click on your account icon in the top right, then select "Purchase History." Find the game or item you want to refund and click on it. You'll see a "Request a Refund" button if the purchase is still within the refund window.
Click that button and select your reason from the dropdown menu. EA's options typically include "Changed my mind," "Game doesn't work," "Accidental purchase," or "Other." Choose the one that matches your situation — EA staff read these and may deny the request if the reason doesn't fit the purchase type. For example, if you're asking for a refund on in-game currency you've already spent, saying "Changed my mind" is more likely to succeed than saying the game doesn't work.
Submit the form and wait for an email response. EA usually replies within 24 to 48 hours, though it can take longer during high-volume periods. If approved, the refund goes back to your original payment method — the card you used, your PayPal account, or your console's wallet, depending on how you paid.
Refund timelines by purchase type
| Purchase Type | Refund Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Full game (PC, console) | 24 hours | Game must not be launched or played |
| Battle pass or season pass | 24 hours | No rewards claimed or cosmetics used |
| In-game currency (FIFA Points, Apex Coins, etc.) | 24 hours | Currency must not be spent on items |
| Cosmetics or cosmetic bundles | 24 hours | Item must not be equipped or used in-game |
| Expansion packs or DLC | 24 hours | Content must not be accessed |
The 24-hour window starts from the moment the purchase completes, not from when you download or install the game. If you bought a game at 3 p.m. on Monday, your refund window closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. After that, refunds become much harder to obtain and usually require proof of a technical problem or a billing error.
Some regions have different rules. In the European Union, consumer protection laws give you a longer window in some cases. Australia's Australian Consumer Law also provides protections beyond EA's standard policy. If you're in one of these regions, mention it in your refund request — EA's support team knows these laws and will apply them if you're may have access to to them.
What happens if you bought through Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox
If you purchased an EA game through Steam, PlayStation Network, or Xbox Game Pass, start with that platform's refund system first. Steam allows refunds within 14 days of purchase if you've played for fewer than 2 hours. PlayStation and Xbox have similar windows — usually 14 days and under a certain playtime threshold.
These platforms often process refunds faster than EA does, and they handle the money directly. If you go through Steam or PlayStation first and get approved, the refund comes from them, not from EA. If you're denied by the platform, you can then contact EA directly and explain the situation — sometimes EA will override a platform denial if there's a legitimate reason, like a billing error or a game-breaking bug.
Do not request refunds from both EA and the platform at the same time. If both approve, you could end up with a double refund, which EA will catch and reverse. Request from one source, wait for the decision, and only contact the other if the first one denies you.
Refunds for accidental purchases and billing errors
If you were charged twice for the same purchase, or if someone else used your account without permission, contact EA support directly through help.ea.com even if you're outside the 24-hour window. Billing errors and unauthorized purchases are handled separately from regular refund requests and have no time limit.
For unauthorized purchases, you'll need to change your EA account password immediately and provide details about when you noticed the charge. EA may ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions or providing the last four digits of the payment method used. Once verified, they can reverse the charge and secure your account.
If you were charged for a purchase that never went through — you paid but never received the game or currency — this also falls outside the normal refund window. Provide your order number and a screenshot of the charge from your bank or payment method. EA's billing team can investigate and issue a refund if they confirm the purchase failed on their end.
What to do if your refund request is denied
If EA denies your refund request, you'll receive an email explaining why. Common reasons for denial include: the purchase was outside the 24-hour window, you've already played the game extensively, you spent the in-game currency, or the reason you provided didn't match the purchase type.
You can reply to the denial email and ask for reconsideration. Explain your situation clearly — if the game has a bug that prevents you from playing, describe it. If you accidentally bought something, explain how it happened. If you're in a region with consumer protection laws, mention that. EA support staff do read these replies and sometimes overturn denials, especially for first-time requests or if new information changes the picture.
If the second request is also denied, you have one more option: contact your payment provider (your bank, credit card company, or PayPal). You can dispute the charge as unauthorized or request a chargeback. This is a last resort because it can result in EA closing your account, but it's available if EA refuses to refund a legitimate billing error or unauthorized charge.
How long refunds take to appear in your account
Once EA approves your refund, the money goes back to your original payment method. The timeline depends on how you paid:
- Credit or debit card: 5 to 10 business days. Your bank processes the reversal, and the time varies by bank.
- PayPal: 3 to 5 business days. PayPal usually processes faster than banks.
- Console wallet (PlayStation, Xbox): 1 to 3 business days. The credit appears in your console account.
- Steam wallet: Instant. The money appears in your Steam account immediately.
Business days do not include weekends or holidays. If you request a refund on Friday, the clock starts on Monday. If a holiday falls during the processing window, add extra days to the timeline.
If your refund doesn't appear after the expected time, log back into help.ea.com and check your refund status. You can see whether it's still pending, approved, or completed. If it shows as completed but the money hasn't arrived, contact your bank or payment provider — the delay is usually on their end, not EA's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I've already played the game for a few hours?
Not through EA's standard refund process — they require zero playtime for the 24-hour window. However, if you bought through Steam, you have up to 2 hours of playtime. If you bought through PlayStation or Xbox, the playtime limit is similar. Try that platform first if you're close to the threshold.
What if I bought in-game currency but haven't spent it yet?
You can request a refund within 24 hours as long as you haven't purchased anything with the currency. Once you buy cosmetics, battle pass rewards, or other items with it, the refund becomes much harder to obtain. Some support staff will still process it if you ask quickly, but there's no may provide.
Do I lose my progress if I get a refund?
Refunding a game doesn't automatically delete your save data, but EA may remove your access to the game. If you later repurchase it, your save files may still be there, depending on the game. For online games like Apex Legends or The Old Republic, your character data stays on EA's servers regardless of refunds.
Can I refund a game I bought as a gift?
If you purchased a game as a gift and it was redeemed by the recipient, you cannot refund it — the person who redeemed it would need to request the refund themselves. If the gift code was never used, you can refund the purchase from your account, and the code becomes invalid.
What if EA support won't respond to my refund request?
EA's support team usually responds within 24 to 48 hours, but during major game launches or sales events, it can take longer. If you haven't heard back after 72 hours, reply to your support ticket or submit a new one. If you still get no response after a week, contact your payment provider and explain the situation — they can sometimes force a refund on their end if EA is unresponsive.