How to Redeem a Steam Key on PC

To redeem a Steam key on PC, open the Steam app, go to the Games menu, choose the option to activate a product, and paste in your key. You can also redeem it from the product activation page on the Steam website. Either way, the game is added to your Steam library right away and you can install it whenever you like.

What You Need Before You Start

A Steam key is a code of letters and numbers that unlocks a specific game or piece of downloadable content (DLC) on your Steam account. Keys come from bundles, giveaway sites, store purchases, and hardware promotions. Most look like groups of five characters separated by dashes, such as XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX, though some use a longer format.

Once a key is redeemed, it is tied to that Steam account for good. Before you paste it in, make sure you are signed in to the account you actually want the game on, especially if you share a PC or have a second account.

A free Steam account (you can create one on the Steam website)
The Steam app installed, or a web browser if you prefer the website
The key itself, copied exactly as given
Access to your email or the Steam Mobile app in case Steam Guard asks you to confirm a sign-in

How to Redeem a Key in the Steam App

This is the most common method and works the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Copying and pasting the key is safer than typing it, because letters like O and 0 or I and 1 are easy to mix up.

Open the Steam app and sign in. If Steam Guard asks for a code, enter the one from your email or the Steam Mobile app.
Click the Games menu at the top of the window.
Choose the option to activate a product on Steam. A small activation window opens.
Click through the first screen and accept the Steam Subscriber Agreement if asked.
Paste your key into the product code box and continue.
Steam confirms which game the key unlocks. Choose whether to install it now or close the window and install it later.

How to Redeem a Key on the Steam Website

If you are away from your gaming PC, or the Steam app is not working, you can redeem the key in a browser. The game still lands in the same library, so you can install it the next time you open Steam.

The activation page lives in the account section of the Steam store website (store.steampowered.com/account/registerkey).

Go to the Steam store website and sign in to your account.
Open the product activation page, either directly or from your account details.
Paste the key into the box.
Check the box to agree to the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
Click the continue button. Steam shows which game was added to your account.

After Redeeming: Finding and Installing Your Game

Redeeming a key does not download the game by itself. Open your Library in the Steam app and you will see the new game in the list, usually grayed out until it is installed. Select it and click the install button to start the download.

If the key was for DLC, it will not show up as its own game. Instead, it appears under the main game, and you need to own that base game for the DLC to work. Free games you add straight from the Steam store work a little differently because there is no key involved; our guide "How to Add Free Steam Games to Your Library" has the full steps.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Most redemption errors come down to a typo, a key that was already used, or a regional limit. Here is what the usual messages mean.

Invalid product code: Recheck the key for typos or extra spaces, and paste it instead of typing it. Make sure it is a Steam key and not a key for another store such as Epic, GOG, or Ubisoft.
Duplicate product code: The key has already been redeemed, either on your account or someone else's. Check your library first. If you got it from a giveaway, keys sometimes run out or get shared, and only the store or site that gave it to you can help.
Product already owned: You already have the game, so Steam will not use the key. You can keep it and give it to a friend instead.
Region restricted: Some keys only work in certain countries. The seller or giveaway page usually lists the region, and a key bought for another region may not activate on your account.
Too many activation attempts: After several failed tries, Steam temporarily blocks new attempts. Wait about an hour and try again carefully.
Nothing happens when you click: Restart the Steam app, check your internet connection, or switch to the website method.

Stay Safe With Keys

Redeeming a real Steam key never costs money and never requires your Steam password on any site other than Steam itself. If a giveaway asks you to pay, log in through an odd-looking page, or install a program to get your key, treat it as a red flag. Our guide "Are Free Game Key Giveaways Safe? How to Spot Scams" walks through the warning signs.

Sites like Alienware Arena hand out Steam keys in exchange for points, which you then redeem using the same steps above. Our guide "Alienware Arena ARP Explained: Points for Free Game Keys" explains how that system works.

FAQ

Can I redeem a Steam key on my phone?

Yes. Open the Steam product activation page in your phone's browser, sign in, and enter the key. The game is added to your library, and you can install it on your PC later.

Can I undo a redemption or move the game to another account?

Generally no. Once a key is redeemed, the game is tied to that account. Double-check which account you are signed in to before you paste the key.

Does a Steam key expire?

Many keys do not, but some giveaway or promotional keys have a deadline set by the site that gave them out. To be safe, redeem keys soon after you get them.

Why is my newly redeemed game not showing in my library?

Try restarting the Steam app and check that you are on the right account. If the key was for DLC, look under the main game instead of the game list.

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