Is a Steam gift card the same as a Steam Wallet code?

Yes. Both are prepaid codes that add money to your Steam Wallet, and both are entered on the same redeem page. A Steam Digital Gift Card bought on Steam itself is different: it is sent straight to a friend's Steam account instead of as a code.

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in another currency?

Do not count on it. Steam says it limits redemption to the currency of your Steam Wallet, and a code in another currency may be refused. Buy the code in your wallet's currency, which you can see next to your balance.

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in the Steam app or on a Steam Deck?

Steam's help sends every wallet code to the redeem page, which you can open in any browser. The funds belong to your account, so they appear in the Steam app and on a Steam Deck signed in to the same account.

Are Steam gift cards being discontinued?

Valve is ending physical Steam gift cards in retail stores and expects shops to sell out by the end of 2026. Existing gift cards and Steam Wallet codes can still be redeemed on the same page.

Does a Steam Wallet code remove the limited account restriction?

Yes, if it is worth at least US$5 or the equivalent in your currency. Valve lists adding a Steam Wallet card of that value as one of the ways to lift the limits on new accounts.

My Steam Wallet code does not work. What should I do?

Check that you are on the wallet-code page, that the code was copied in full and that its currency matches your wallet. If it still fails, contact Gameplug support with your order number. Codes confirmed as faulty are replaced or refunded.

How to Redeem a Steam Wallet Code or Steam Gift Card

Q: How do I redeem a Steam gift card?

Sign in to Steam, open store.steampowered.com/account/redeemwalletcode, type the code into the Steam Wallet Code field and select Continue. The amount is added to your Steam Wallet straight away.

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code or Steam gift card

To redeem a Steam Wallet code, sign in to Steam and open the Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code page (store.steampowered.com/account/redeemwalletcode). Type the code into the Steam Wallet Code field and select Continue: the value is added to your Steam Wallet straight away. Steam gift cards and Steam Wallet codes are the same thing and redeem the same way.

Below you will find the exact steps on a computer, in the Steam app, on a Steam Deck and on a phone, what to check before you redeem, how Steam handles currencies, and what each Steam error message means.

Official menu names

Every device

Fixes for common errors

Last reviewed November 2, 2026Steps checked against the official help pages linked at the bottom of this guide.

In short

Copy the Steam Wallet code from your Gameplug order.
Sign in to Steam with the account that should get the money.
Open the Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code page.
Enter the code in Steam Wallet Code and select Continue.

What you need before you redeem

The right Steam account, signed in. Steam Wallet funds cannot be moved or gifted to another Steam account once they are redeemed, so check the account name at the top right before you start.
A code in your wallet's currency. Every Steam Wallet has one currency, set by your store country. To fight gift-card scams, Valve limits redemption to the currency of your Steam Wallet, so the safest choice is a code in the same currency. The currency and region of every code are in the product name and on its product page before you pay.
Your address, if this is your first wallet top-up. If your account has never had a Steam Wallet balance, Steam may ask for your current address to decide which currency your wallet will use.
Room in your wallet. Steam currently limits Steam Wallet balances to US$2,000, or a value close to that in other currencies. Balances on all your Steam accounts are added together for this limit.
The wallet-code page, not the game-key box. Wallet codes go on the redeem page above. The Activate a Product on Steam box is for game keys and rejects wallet codes.

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code, step by step

Every route adds the money to the same Steam Wallet, so use whichever device is closest. Valve's own help points all wallet codes to one web page, which works in any browser.

Steam Wallet code errors and how to fix them

These are the messages the Steam redeem page shows, with the usual cause and the fix.

"There was an error redeeming the entered code." (the code may be invalid)
Why:A character was mistyped, or a wallet code was entered in the game-key box instead.
Fix:Copy the code straight from your Gameplug order. Steam warns that I, L and 1 look alike, as do V and Y, and 0 and O; Valve also suggests trying Q, O or D for a 0, and 8 for a B. Make sure you are on the wallet-code page, not Activate a Product on Steam.
"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been redeemed."
Why:The code has been used on a Steam account. Steam Support cannot issue a new one.
Fix:Check every Steam account you or your family use, including their wallet balance. If it was not redeemed on any of them, contact Gameplug support with your order number.
"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been previously redeemed on your account."
Why:You already redeemed this code on the account you are signed in to.
Fix:Look at the balance next to your profile name: the money is already there. If it does not show, restart the Steam app.
The code is in a different currency from your wallet
Why:Steam's redeem error says that if the currency of the code differs from the region you are in, you may not be able to redeem it.
Fix:Use a code in your Steam Wallet's currency. If you bought the wrong currency by mistake, contact our support before trying again.
"Your Steam account is currently restricted from activating Steam Wallet codes."
Why:Steam has placed a restriction on the account itself, not on the code.
Fix:Contact Steam Support about the restriction. The code stays unused, so you can redeem it once Steam lifts the restriction.
"You must complete the captcha to attempt to redeem your gift card."
Why:The redeem page sometimes asks you to prove you are human.
Fix:Complete the captcha shown on the page and select Continue again.
The balance will not go above about US$2,000
Why:Steam currently limits Steam Wallet balances to US$2,000 (or close to that in other currencies), counting all your accounts together.
Fix:Spend part of your balance before you redeem more. Keep the code safe until then.

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code or Steam gift card

What you need before you redeem

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code, step by step

Redeem a Steam Wallet code in a web browser

Redeem with the Steam desktop app open

Redeem a Steam Wallet code on a phone

Steam Wallet currencies and regions: will the code work on my account?

Steam Wallet code errors and how to fix them

"There was an error redeeming the entered code." (the code may be invalid)

"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been redeemed."

"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been previously redeemed on your account."

The code is in a different currency from your wallet

"Your Steam account is currently restricted from activating Steam Wallet codes."

"You must complete the captcha to attempt to redeem your gift card."

The balance will not go above about US$2,000

After you redeem: where your Steam Wallet balance shows

Steam gift cards in stock

Frequently asked questions

How do I redeem a Steam gift card?

Is a Steam gift card the same as a Steam Wallet code?

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in another currency?

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in the Steam app or on a Steam Deck?

Are Steam gift cards being discontinued?

Does a Steam Wallet code remove the limited account restriction?

My Steam Wallet code does not work. What should I do?

Official links

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code or Steam gift card

What you need before you redeem

How to redeem a Steam Wallet code, step by step

Redeem a Steam Wallet code in a web browser

Redeem with the Steam desktop app open

Redeem a Steam Wallet code on a phone

Steam Wallet currencies and regions: will the code work on my account?

Steam Wallet code errors and how to fix them

"There was an error redeeming the entered code." (the code may be invalid)

"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been redeemed."

"The Steam Wallet code you have entered has already been previously redeemed on your account."

The code is in a different currency from your wallet

"Your Steam account is currently restricted from activating Steam Wallet codes."

"You must complete the captcha to attempt to redeem your gift card."

The balance will not go above about US$2,000

After you redeem: where your Steam Wallet balance shows

Steam gift cards in stock

Frequently asked questions

How do I redeem a Steam gift card?

Is a Steam gift card the same as a Steam Wallet code?

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in another currency?

Can I redeem a Steam Wallet code in the Steam app or on a Steam Deck?

Are Steam gift cards being discontinued?

Does a Steam Wallet code remove the limited account restriction?

My Steam Wallet code does not work. What should I do?

Official links

More redeem guides