Learn how to redeem and activate a Steam key, install the game, and fix invalid, duplicate, region-locked or wrong-account errors.
To redeem a Steam key, sign in to the Steam account that should own the game, open the desktop client, select Games > Activate a Product on Steam, accept the terms, enter the code, and finish activation. The licence is then permanently attached to that account.
Where do I enter a Steam key?
The safest method is Steam's desktop client, where the product-activation wizard is available from the main menu. You can also open Add a Game at the lower left and select Activate a Product on Steam.
- Check the signed-in account. Make certain this is the account that should keep the game. A redeemed licence cannot normally be moved to another account.
- Open the activation wizard. Select Games > Activate a Product on Steam, then accept the subscriber terms.
- Enter the complete key. Copy and paste it where possible, checking for leading spaces and easily confused characters such as zero and the letter O.
- Submit the code. Steam will identify the product or display an error explaining why it cannot be activated.
- Install from the Library. Once accepted, find the game in your Steam Library and select Install. DLC may appear under the base game's downloadable-content properties instead of as a separate title.
If the client cannot reach the activation screen, first repair the Steam client when it will not open. If the problem is account access, recover the right account rather than creating another one; our steps explain how to reset a Steam password without signing in.
Does redeeming the key also activate and install the game?
Redeeming the key activates the Steam licence, but it does not necessarily download the game. Activation establishes ownership on that account; installation is a separate step performed from the Library.
You can later install the product on another compatible computer by signing in to the same Steam account. You do not enter the key again, although Steam Guard or a game's separate publisher account may require additional verification.
A game bought directly through Steam does not usually provide a key for you to redeem. The purchase is attached to the account automatically and should appear in its Library.
Why is my Steam key not working?
Most failed activations are caused by a typing error, the wrong kind of code, an account or region restriction, or a key that has already been redeemed.
| Error or symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid product code | The code was mistyped, is incomplete or belongs to another platform or activation system. | Paste it again without extra spaces and confirm that it is specifically labelled as a Steam product key. |
| Duplicate product code | The key has already been redeemed to a Steam account. | Check the intended account's licence history under Account details. If the product is absent, contact the seller with the receipt; Steam does not transfer a used key between accounts. |
| Not available in your region | The package has a country or regional activation restriction. | Ask the seller for a key valid in your region or a refund. Do not use a VPN to evade the restriction. |
| Base game required | The code unlocks DLC, an upgrade or an expansion rather than the full game. | Activate or purchase the required base game on the same Steam account first. |
| Too many activation attempts | Several failed or guessed codes triggered a temporary limit. | Stop retrying and wait before entering the verified code again. |
| Product already owned | The account already has the licence included with that key. | Do not assume the code created a spare gift copy. Check the activation result and licence history before giving the key to anyone else. |
Never publish a screenshot showing the full code. Anyone who redeems it first gains the licence, and possession of an unused key is not proof that a particular Steam account should own it.
Is every game code a Steam key?
Steam only accepts codes issued for Steam activation. Similar-looking codes may use a different redemption process:
- Steam product key: enter it through Activate a Product on Steam.
- Steam Wallet code: redeem it through the account's wallet or gift-card redemption option, not the product-activation wizard.
- Retail product key: enter it into the original game's installer or legacy activation system if the box does not specify Steam.
- Add-on serial: activate it through the aircraft, scenery, utility or installer that issued it. It will usually be rejected by Steam.
- Third-party CD key shown by Steam: use it when the game or its external account requests it; do not try to redeem it back into Steam.
This distinction causes frequent confusion with flight simulators. A boxed Microsoft Flight Simulator X product key is not interchangeable with an FSX: Steam Edition licence, while third-party aircraft and utilities may have their own serials. Our explanation of boxed FSX keys versus Steam licensing covers the simulator-specific cases.