When you purchase a game through Steam, information technology automatically appears in your library. However, what happens if you lot buy a Steam game through another platform similar Humble Package?

In these cases, yous'll be given a CD key that yous demand to actuate on Steam. In this article, we show y'all how to practice that.

What Production Keys Tin can Yous Activate on Steam?

You tin can obtain a Steam product key through a variety of sources, like game discount sites or printed on a card in a physical purchase. These keys are a combination of letters and numbers.

These keys are specifically designed to exist activated on Steam. For instance, you lot can't activate an Origin or GOG fundamental on Steam, and vice versa.

It'south of import to note that yous can't refund product keys one time you activate them on Steam, unless the retailer grants an unlikely exception. The usual Steam refund process is only valid for purchases made straight through Steam.

How to Activate a Product Fundamental on Steam

steam product activation
  1. Launch the Steam client.
  2. In the top toolbar, click Games.
  3. Click Activate a Production on Steam.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Read the subscriber agreement and click I Agree.
  6. Enter your production code and click Next.
  7. If successful, the production will be added to your library.

Why Your Steam Product Key Is Invalid

When you try to activate your Steam product primal, you may get an error that the key is invalid or a duplicate. This often happens if you lot bought your primal from a shady site, so be aware before buying discounted game keys.

The duplicate error means that the cardinal is already registered to another Steam business relationship. A key tin only exist redeemed confronting one account. If y'all have definitely non registered the primal to another account, contact the retailer for a new key.

The invalid error can happen for several reasons, only information technology usually means that the key doesn't exist. Make certain that you're submitting the key correctly; ideally, copy and paste it. Check for any confused characters. For example, the letter O tin can expect similar the number 0.

If this doesn't help, contact the retailer from whom you bought the key. If they can't help you, contact the game's publisher.

Give Your Friends the Gift of Steam

If yous're looking for the perfect gift for a gamer friend, y'all might consider sending them a production key for Steam.

However, why not send them a digital Steam gift carte du jour instead? It means they can choose exactly what they want and make the purchase directly through Steam.