Microsoft refund timelines depend on your purchase type and payment method
A Microsoft refund typically arrives between 5 and 10 business days after Microsoft approves your request, but the approval itself can take 3 to 5 business days. That means the full process from request to money back usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. The actual timeline varies based on whether you bought from the Microsoft Store, Xbox, Game Pass, or Microsoft 365, and whether you paid by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
If you paid by credit card or debit card, the refund goes back to that card and your bank processes it. If you paid with PayPal, the money returns to your PayPal account first, then to your bank if you withdraw it. If you used Microsoft account credit (store credit), the refund lands there immediately and you can spend it right away.
The slowest route is a credit or debit card refund during a weekend or holiday, because your bank does not process transactions on those days. A refund approved on Friday afternoon might not show up until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft takes 3 to 5 business days to review and approve your refund request after you submit it.
- Once approved, the money takes another 5 to 10 business days to reach your card or bank account, depending on your payment method.
- Refunds to Microsoft account credit appear immediately and do not depend on your bank's processing time.
- Weekends and holidays add extra days because banks do not process refunds on those days.
- You can check your refund status in your Microsoft account under Order History or by contacting Microsoft Support with your order number.
How to request a refund from Microsoft
Start by signing into your Microsoft account and going to your Order History. Find the purchase you want to refund, select it, and look for a "Request a refund" or "Return" button. Microsoft shows this option only if your purchase is within the refund window — usually 30 days for most items, though some products have different limits.
If you cannot find the refund button, your purchase may be outside the refund window or ineligible. In that case, you can still contact Microsoft Support through the Order History page or by calling their phone line. Have your order number ready. Microsoft Support can sometimes process refunds outside the normal window if you have a legitimate reason — for example, if the product did not work as described or if you were charged twice by mistake.
After you submit your refund request, Microsoft sends you a confirmation email. This email does not mean your refund is approved yet — it means Microsoft received your request and will review it. Keep this email for your records.
Refund timelines by payment method
| Payment Method | Time to Approval | Time to Your Account | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 3–5 business days | 5–10 business days | 8–15 business days |
| Debit card | 3–5 business days | 5–10 business days | 8–15 business days |
| PayPal | 3–5 business days | 1–3 business days to PayPal, then your bank's timeline | 4–8 business days to PayPal |
| Microsoft account credit | 3–5 business days | Immediate once approved | 3–5 business days |
Credit and debit card refunds take the longest because your bank has to receive the refund from Microsoft and then post it to your account. Some banks show pending refunds before they are fully processed, but you cannot spend the money until it is complete.
PayPal refunds move faster to your PayPal account, but if you want the money in your bank account, you then have to withdraw it from PayPal, which adds another 1 to 3 business days depending on your bank.
Microsoft account credit is the fastest option because it does not involve a third party. The credit shows up in your Microsoft account as soon as Microsoft approves the refund, and you can use it to buy anything in the Microsoft Store, Xbox, or Game Pass immediately.
How to track your refund status
Go to your Microsoft account, select Order History, and find the order you refunded. The page shows the current status — either "Refund pending," "Refund approved," or "Refund completed." If it says "Refund pending," Microsoft is still reviewing your request. If it says "Refund approved," the money is on its way to your payment method.
If your refund shows as "Refund completed" but the money has not arrived in your account, check with your bank or payment provider. Your bank may be holding the refund for verification, or it may take another day or two to process. Contact your bank's customer service with the refund confirmation number from your Microsoft email — they can tell you exactly when the money will arrive.
If your refund status has not changed in more than 5 business days after you submitted the request, contact Microsoft Support. Refunds rarely get stuck, but if yours does, Microsoft can investigate and push it through.
Refunds for subscriptions like Game Pass and Microsoft 365
Subscription refunds work differently from one-time purchases. If you cancel Game Pass or Microsoft 365 within 30 days of your first charge, you can request a refund for that charge. If you have already used the service for most of the billing period, Microsoft may deny the refund or offer a partial one.
Subscription refunds follow the same timeline as other purchases — 3 to 5 days for approval, then 5 to 10 days to your payment method. However, if you cancel a subscription, your access ends immediately, even if the refund is still processing. You lose access to Game Pass games, Microsoft 365 apps, and other subscription benefits right away.
If you want to keep your subscription but were charged incorrectly or twice, contact Microsoft Support before requesting a refund. They can sometimes credit your account or adjust your billing without processing a full refund, which is faster than waiting for money to return to your card.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If your refund has been approved for more than 10 business days and has not arrived, the delay is usually on your bank's side, not Microsoft's. Contact your bank and provide them with the refund confirmation number from Microsoft's email. Your bank can trace the refund and tell you when it will post.
If your bank says they have not received the refund from Microsoft, or if your refund status still shows "Pending" after 5 business days, contact Microsoft Support. Have your order number, the date you requested the refund, and the confirmation email ready. Microsoft can resend the refund or investigate why it did not go through.
Refunds are sometimes held by your bank's fraud detection system, especially if the refund amount is large or if your account shows unusual activity. Your bank may send you a notification asking you to confirm the refund, or they may hold it for a few days as a security measure. Check your email and your bank's app for any messages about the pending refund.
Refunds for digital vs. physical products
Digital products like games, apps, and subscriptions have stricter refund rules than physical items. Microsoft usually refunds digital purchases only if you have not downloaded or used them much. If you have downloaded a game and played it, or if you have used Microsoft 365 for most of your billing period, Microsoft may deny the refund.
Physical products ordered from the Microsoft Store — like Surface devices, Xbox consoles, or accessories — have a standard return window of 30 days. These refunds can take longer because Microsoft has to receive and inspect the item before processing the refund. Shipping the item back to Microsoft can add 5 to 10 business days to the timeline, and then Microsoft needs another 2 to 3 business days to inspect it and approve the refund.
If you are returning a physical product, print your return label from your order confirmation email and ship it back as soon as possible. The sooner Microsoft receives it, the sooner they can process your refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my refund request after I submit it?
Yes, but only if Microsoft has not approved it yet. If your refund status still shows "Pending," go to Order History, select the order, and look for a "Cancel refund request" option. Once Microsoft approves the refund, you cannot cancel it — the money is already on its way to your payment method.
Why is my refund taking longer than 10 business days?
The delay is almost always your bank's processing time, not Microsoft's. Contact your bank with the refund confirmation number from Microsoft's email. Your bank can tell you the exact date the refund will post. If your refund status still shows "Pending" after 5 business days, contact Microsoft Support.
Do I get refunded in the same currency I paid in?
Yes. If you paid in euros, your refund goes back in euros. If you paid in dollars, your refund is in dollars. Your bank handles any currency conversion if you are using an international card, and they charge their standard conversion fee.
What if I paid with a gift card that I no longer have?
If you paid with a Microsoft gift card, the refund goes back to your Microsoft account as store credit. You do not need the original gift card. You can use the credit to buy anything in the Microsoft Store or Xbox.
Can Microsoft refund me if I bought something more than 30 days ago?
Normally no, but contact Microsoft Support anyway. They can sometimes process refunds outside the 30-day window if the product did not work as described, if you were charged twice, or if there was a billing error. Have your order number and an explanation of the problem ready.