Cannot purchase games using PayPal balance

[Thrace]

The option does not even show up, just my bank and cards. I have a balance that would cover this. Any idea if it is on steams end or paypal?

THE FIX

Resolved the issue. Steam has it setup that Paypal will auto charge your balance first HOWEVER you need to choose a backup payment method. They do not call it that though.
Just click whatever one you want and then hit pay, it will even say "It will charge this card" but when you pay it takes the money from your paypal balance lol.
Took 1hr 40min wait time on paypal to find that out!

[Zekiran]

You will need to be much more specific.

What EXACT message do you get, when you attempt to use the Paypal account for payment? The error message may have clues to what is happening. more than likely you're going to need to look up Support for help though.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

Adding, when you first start the process of purchase there is options what to use. PayPal is listed in those options if you have a working PayPal.
Expand the arrow next to your name top right. Account details
Have a look in your account details > The following payment methods are currently associated with your account.
Below that >update the payment method linked to this account.

[Thrace]

There is no error message. I sign into paypal, it says I can pay with bank and my two cards.
There should be the option for balance, it is even set as my preferred option but it will not show up.

So far tried login and purchase on all of these:

Steam app android
Steam client windows
Chrome
Chrome on android
Internet explorer
Edge
Firefox

In the mean time I have made other purchases on other sites which have allowed me to use my paypal balance.

[Zekiran]

What country are you in? Some that HAVE paypal, do not actually allow it to be used on Steam for whatever stupid reason.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Easier to contact support and ask.

[Thrace]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

What country are you in? Some that HAVE paypal, do not actually allow it to be used on Steam for whatever stupid reason.

I am in Ireland, I used it before and it was grand but not now weirdly.

[Thrace]

Resolved the issue. Steam has it setup that Paypal will auto charge your balance first HOWEVER you need to choose a backup payment method. They do not call it that though.
Just click whatever one you want and then hit pay, it will even say "It will charge this card" but when you pay it takes the money from your paypal balance lol.
Took 1hr 40min wait time on paypal to find that out!

[Zekiran]

Well that's good to know though!

Are you buying the game directly with paypal? Maybe try putting wallet funds into your account instead, next time? I don't think I've ever had this problem but then I don't go directly to my paypal, plus i'm in the usa and that generally means it'll go through without issue. Anywhere else seems to be open game as to whether it works or doesn't.

[Thrace]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

Well that's good to know though!

Are you buying the game directly with paypal? Maybe try putting wallet funds into your account instead, next time? I don't think I've ever had this problem but then I don't go directly to my paypal, plus i'm in the usa and that generally means it'll go through without issue. Anywhere else seems to be open game as to whether it works or doesn't.

Ah I did try to add to the wallet, tried to also buy a gift card but neither worked... well I mean they would have now but the whole "choose payment type" would make me think that is the one you will pay with. When in reality it is just the secondary backup. Wish there was a way to inform paypal so they could change the wording because that was dumb as hell lol Got my games now!

[TheSmartChicken]

Originally posted by Thrace:

Resolved the issue. Steam has it setup that Paypal will auto charge your balance first HOWEVER you need to choose a backup payment method. They do not call it that though.
Just click whatever one you want and then hit pay, it will even say "It will charge this card" but when you pay it takes the money from your paypal balance lol.
Took 1hr 40min wait time on paypal to find that out!

Don't mean to bump this old thread, but this is the answer I was looking for. Cheers

[Thrace]

Originally posted by TheSmartChicken:

Originally posted by Thrace:

Resolved the issue. Steam has it setup that Paypal will auto charge your balance first HOWEVER you need to choose a backup payment method. They do not call it that though.
Just click whatever one you want and then hit pay, it will even say "It will charge this card" but when you pay it takes the money from your paypal balance lol.
Took 1hr 40min wait time on paypal to find that out!

Don't mean to bump this old thread, but this is the answer I was looking for. Cheers :ss13ok:

Hey no worries glad you got it sorted! :) Happy gaming

[nixcamic - W+M1 Engie]

Originally posted by Thrace:

Resolved the issue. Steam has it setup that Paypal will auto charge your balance first HOWEVER you need to choose a backup payment method. They do not call it that though.
Just click whatever one you want and then hit pay, it will even say "It will charge this card" but when you pay it takes the money from your paypal balance lol.
Took 1hr 40min wait time on paypal to find that out!

Can confirm this works, sorry to bump this again but it's super non obvious.

[jimmie]

At first I could not select the PayPal Balance option after trying both "PayPal" and "My PayPal Account" but then I unchecked the box saying 'remember payment info to make it easier next time' and it worked. I used the "PayPal" option btw.

[Pseudo Spy]

None of these worked for me.

[Thrace]

Originally posted by Pseudo Spy:

None of these worked for me.

When you go to pay does it not show your balance?
Do you just see payment cards and the like first? If so click on one as it is the backup. No matter what paypal will use your balance first. Then just go ahead with the purchase and it will take money from the balance.