Microsoft will refund a Game Pass subscription within 30 days of purchase if you haven't used the service, or within a shorter window if you have
Microsoft's refund window for Game Pass depends on whether you've started using the service. If you bought Game Pass and haven't downloaded or played anything, you can request a refund within 30 days of the purchase date. If you've already used Game Pass—even for a few hours—the refund window shrinks to 14 days from purchase. After that point, Microsoft typically denies refund requests.
The refund goes back to the payment method you used to buy the subscription. If you paid with a credit card, the money returns to that card. If you used Microsoft account balance or a gift card, the refund becomes store credit in your Microsoft account. The refund itself usually appears within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank or card issuer may take another few days to post it.
Key Takeaways
- You have 30 days to request a refund if you haven't used Game Pass at all, or 14 days if you have used it.
- Refunds go back to your original payment method—credit card, Microsoft balance, or gift card—not as cash.
- You request a refund through your Microsoft account order history, not by calling or emailing support.
- Microsoft may deny a refund if you've used Game Pass heavily or if the purchase is older than the refund window.
- If your refund request is denied, you can appeal through the Microsoft support form, though approval is not may provide.
How to Request a Refund Through Your Microsoft Account
Start by signing into your Microsoft account on a web browser—this works on any device. Go to your order history by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Your info" and look for "Order history" or "Purchases." Find the Game Pass charge you want to refund. It will show the purchase date and the amount.
Click on that order and look for a "Request a refund" button or link. If the button appears, click it and select your reason for the refund from the dropdown menu. Microsoft asks whether you changed your mind, found a better price elsewhere, or had a technical issue. Choose the reason that matches your situation. Then submit the request.
Microsoft will send you an email confirming whether the refund was approved or denied, usually within 24 to 48 hours. If approved, the money starts moving back to your payment method. If denied, the email will explain why—usually because you're outside the refund window or used the service too much.
What Happens If the Refund Button Doesn't Appear
If you don't see a "Request a refund" option in your order history, it means you're likely outside the refund window. Game Pass subscriptions older than 30 days (or 14 days if used) no longer show the refund button. In this case, you can still try to contact Microsoft support, but they will almost certainly deny the request based on the policy.
To contact support, go to the Microsoft support website and search for "Game Pass refund." You'll find a form to describe your situation. Be specific about why you want the refund—technical problems, billing errors, or accidental purchases have a slightly better chance of approval than simply changing your mind. Submit the form and wait for a response, which typically takes 2 to 5 business days.
Refunds for Game Pass Ultimate and Other Subscription Tiers
The same 30-day and 14-day windows apply to all Game Pass tiers: Game Pass for Console, Game Pass for PC, and Game Pass Ultimate. The refund amount depends on which tier you bought. If you purchased Game Pass Ultimate, the refund covers the full price of that subscription, not a partial amount for the days you didn't use it.
If you bought Game Pass through Xbox Game Pass for Console (the physical subscription card from a store), the refund process is different. You'll need to contact the retailer where you bought the card, not Microsoft directly. Most retailers have their own return policies, which may be shorter or longer than Microsoft's 30-day window.
What to Know About Refunds and Game Pass Perks
Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Live Gold. If you're refunding Game Pass Ultimate, you lose access to all three services immediately after the refund is processed. Any games you downloaded through Game Pass will no longer be playable once your subscription ends, even if you own them separately on your account.
If you've used Game Pass to download games and then request a refund, Microsoft may view this as heavy usage and deny the request. Downloading a game or two and playing for a few hours is usually within the acceptable use window, but downloading many games or playing for dozens of hours makes a refund less likely to be approved.
Refunds for Accidental Purchases and Billing Errors
If you were charged for Game Pass by mistake—for example, if someone else used your account or if you were charged twice—contact Microsoft support immediately. These situations sometimes may have access to for refunds even outside the normal window. Go to the Microsoft support page, describe what happened, and include your order number and the date of the charge.
Billing errors are treated differently from regular refund requests. Microsoft is more likely to refund an accidental charge or a duplicate charge than a refund request based on changing your mind. Provide as much detail as possible: when you noticed the charge, whether you authorized it, and what you've already tried to fix it.
How Long Refunds Take and Where the Money Goes
Once Microsoft approves your refund, the money leaves your Microsoft account within 1 to 3 business days. Where it goes from there depends on your payment method. If you paid with a credit or debit card, your bank receives the refund and posts it to your account—this can take 3 to 10 additional business days depending on your bank. If you paid with Microsoft account balance or a gift card, the refund becomes store credit immediately and appears in your account balance right away.
You can check the status of a pending refund by going back to your order history and looking at that purchase. It will show "Refund pending" or "Refund processed" depending on where it is in the process. If more than 10 business days have passed since approval and you still don't see the money, contact your bank or card issuer to ask whether the refund arrived on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I used Game Pass for just one day?
Yes, as long as you're within 14 days of purchase. Microsoft allows refunds for used Game Pass subscriptions up to 14 days after you bought it. After 14 days, even minimal use won't may have access to you for a refund through the standard process.
What if I bought Game Pass as a gift for someone else?
The person who received the gift can request a refund if they haven't used it and are within the 30-day window. The refund goes back to the original payment method—the account that purchased it, not the recipient's account. If the recipient has already used it, the refund window is 14 days from the original purchase date.
Will I lose my games if I get a Game Pass refund?
Yes. Once your Game Pass subscription ends after a refund, you lose access to all games you downloaded through Game Pass. Games you own separately or purchased outright will still be playable. Your save files remain on your account, so if you buy Game Pass again later, your progress will be there.
Can I get a partial refund for unused days?
No. Microsoft refunds the full subscription price, not a prorated amount for the days you didn't use it. If you bought a one-month Game Pass subscription and used it for five days, the refund is still for the entire month's cost.
What if Microsoft denies my refund request?
You can submit an appeal through the Microsoft support form, but approval is not may provide. Explain your situation in detail and include your order number. Microsoft reviews appeals but rarely overturns a denial based on the standard refund policy. If the denial was due to a billing error or fraud, mention that specifically.