Fiverr refunds depend on whether you ordered a gig or sold one, and the timeline changes based on when you ask

If you paid for a gig on Fiverr and want your money back, you can request a refund through your order page — but Fiverr only refunds money that hasn't been released to the seller yet. Once a seller marks work complete and you approve it (or 3 days pass), the money moves to their account and you can no longer get a refund through the normal process. If you're a seller trying to refund a buyer, you initiate the refund from your order page, and the money returns to the buyer's Fiverr wallet or original payment method within 3 to 5 business days.

The reason the timeline matters: Fiverr holds your payment in escrow (a holding account) until the seller delivers. During that holding period, a refund is straightforward. After delivery and approval, the money belongs to the seller, and getting it back requires either the seller's agreement or a dispute with Fiverr's Resolution Center.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request a refund before the seller marks the order complete, or within 3 days after they deliver if you haven't approved the work yet.
  • Once you approve an order or 3 days pass after delivery, the money goes to the seller's account and you must open a dispute to contest the charge.
  • Sellers can issue refunds from their own dashboard, and the money returns to your Fiverr wallet or payment method in 3 to 5 business days.
  • If a seller refuses to refund and you believe the work was not as described, the Resolution Center is your next step — include screenshots and your original order details.

Refunding money before the seller delivers

If you've ordered a gig but the seller hasn't started or hasn't finished yet, you can cancel the order and get your money back immediately. Go to your Orders page, find the gig, and click the three-dot menu. Select "Cancel Order" and choose a reason. Fiverr will refund the full amount to your Fiverr wallet right away — no waiting period.

This works because Fiverr hasn't released the payment to the seller yet. The money is still in escrow, so canceling simply returns it to you. If you paid with a credit card or PayPal, the refund appears in your Fiverr wallet first, and you can then withdraw it to your original payment method if you want cash back.

Refunding money after the seller delivers but before you approve

Once a seller marks the order complete, you have 3 days to review the work. During those 3 days, you can still request a refund if the work doesn't match what you ordered. Click the order, review the delivery, and if it's not what you expected, click "Request Refund" instead of "Approve Delivery."

You'll need to explain why the work doesn't meet the requirements — for example, the logo doesn't match your brief, the writing is in the wrong tone, or the video is the wrong length. Be specific. Fiverr reviews your reason and the seller's response. If Fiverr agrees the work was not as described, it approves the refund and the money goes back to your wallet. If the seller disagrees, it may go to the Resolution Center for a final decision.

What happens after you approve or 3 days pass

If you approve the delivery or don't respond within 3 days, the money is released to the seller's account. At that point, you can no longer cancel the order or request a simple refund. The seller now owns the money, and getting it back requires either asking the seller directly or opening a dispute.

If you contact the seller and explain the problem, they may choose to refund you voluntarily. They can do this from their dashboard by going to the order and selecting "Issue Refund." The money returns to your Fiverr wallet or original payment method in 3 to 5 business days. However, sellers are not required to refund after delivery is approved, so this depends on their willingness to help.

Opening a dispute in the Resolution Center

If the seller won't refund and you believe the work was not as described or the seller didn't deliver what they promised, you can open a dispute in Fiverr's Resolution Center. Go to your Orders page, find the order, and click "Resolution Center." Explain what went wrong — include specific details like "The logo was delivered in JPG only, but I ordered PNG and SVG files" or "The article is 500 words but I ordered 1,500 words."

Attach screenshots, the original order description, and any messages between you and the seller that show the miscommunication. Fiverr's team reviews both sides and makes a decision. If they find the seller didn't deliver as promised, they may refund you. This process typically takes 5 to 10 business days, though it can take longer if the seller disputes your claim.

The Resolution Center is not a may provide of a refund — Fiverr looks at whether the seller's delivery actually matched the order description. If the seller delivered exactly what they promised, even if you changed your mind about wanting it, Fiverr will likely not refund.

Refunding as a seller

If you're a seller and need to refund a buyer, go to your Orders page, find the order, and click the three-dot menu. Select "Issue Refund" and confirm. The refund is processed immediately, and the money appears in the buyer's Fiverr wallet within minutes. If the buyer paid with a credit card or PayPal, they can then withdraw the money to their original payment method, which takes 3 to 5 business days depending on their bank.

You can refund a buyer at any time, even after the order is complete and approved. There's no time limit on seller-initiated refunds. However, once you issue a refund, you cannot undo it, so make sure you want to refund before you confirm.

Withdrawing refunded money to your bank account

When you receive a refund, the money lands in your Fiverr wallet first. From there, you have two choices: keep it in your wallet to spend on future gigs, or withdraw it to your bank account, PayPal, or other payment method.

To withdraw, go to your account settings, select "Withdraw Funds," and choose your withdrawal method. Fiverr processes withdrawals within 1 to 5 business days, but your bank may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to deposit the money. If you originally paid with a credit card, the refund typically goes back to that card rather than to your bank account — check your card's statement in 5 to 10 business days.

What to do if your refund doesn't arrive

If you requested a refund and it's been more than 10 business days, check your Fiverr wallet first to see if the money is there. If it is, the refund was processed — you just need to withdraw it to your bank account. If the money isn't in your wallet and the refund was supposed to happen, contact Fiverr Support through the Help Center.

Go to Help > Contact Support, describe the order and the refund you requested, and include your order number. Fiverr's support team can see the refund status and tell you whether it's still processing, stuck, or if there's an issue with your payment method. Response times vary, but Fiverr typically replies within 24 to 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I already approved the delivery?

Not through the normal refund process. Once you approve, the money goes to the seller. You can contact the seller and ask them to refund you, or you can open a dispute in the Resolution Center if you believe the work was not as described. Disputes are reviewed by Fiverr's team, but there's no may provide of a refund if the seller delivered what they promised.

How long does a refund take to show up in my bank account?

Fiverr processes refunds to your wallet within minutes to 5 business days. If you withdraw to your bank account, add another 1 to 3 business days for your bank to deposit it. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card and appears in your statement in 5 to 10 business days.

What if the seller delivered something completely different from what I ordered?

Open a dispute in the Resolution Center and explain the difference. Include screenshots of the original order description and what you received. Fiverr's team will review both and decide whether to refund based on whether the delivery matched the order. Be specific about what was promised versus what was delivered.

Can I cancel an order after the seller has started working on it?

Yes, you can cancel before the seller marks it complete. Go to your Orders page, click the three-dot menu, and select "Cancel Order." The refund goes to your wallet immediately. However, if the seller has already done significant work, they may contact you to discuss before you cancel.

Do I lose the refund if I don't withdraw it from my Fiverr wallet?

No. Money in your Fiverr wallet doesn't expire. You can leave it there and spend it on future gigs, or withdraw it to your bank account whenever you want. There's no time limit on how long you can hold it in your wallet.