What to do if a game code won't redeem

A code that won't redeem is usually one of a few fixable things, not a dead card. Work through these in order before assuming the code is bad.

1. Check the region

This is the number-one cause. PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox codes are region-locked, and a US code only redeems on a US-region account. The account's region often cannot be changed once it has a balance. Check the account country in its settings — if it does not match the code's region, that is the problem, not the code.

2. Re-check every character

A 0 and an O, or a 1 and an I, are easy to confuse. Enter the code slowly, exactly as delivered. Copy and paste it from your delivery email if you can, to rule out a typo entirely.

3. Redeem only on the official page

Enter the code only on the platform's own redemption page — roblox.com/redeem, fortnite.com/vbuckscard, the Steam client, the console store, and so on. A code entered on a third-party 'redeem' site will not work and may be phished. Our how-to-redeem guides list the exact page for each platform.

4. Handle 'already redeemed'

If the platform says the code is already used and you never redeemed it, contact the seller with your order ID. A legitimate seller will verify and either replace or refund a genuinely defective code — that is what a real refund policy is for. Ours is on our refunds page.

5. Wait out a lockout

Some platforms temporarily block redemption after several failed attempts. If you have tried a few times, wait an hour and enter it once, carefully. If it still fails after the region and character checks, it is time to contact the seller — with the order ID, not by re-entering the code endlessly.