My gift card is not working

[Inconceivable]

So for xmas I have got a couple steam gift cards right? I try to type in the code and of course it doesn't work. I type it in multiple times and it's different from the other ones . But I have no idea what to do. And in both of them they have a z is the z just supposed to be something else or what?

[Bee🐝]

Basics:

What’s the error message you receive?

Do you know where these gift cards where purchased?

Does it clearly state these are STEAM cards? No other gift vouchers will work.

Note if the number on the card was accidentally scratched off, Steam Support can help you with that. Top of the page -> Support -> pick gift cards.

[Inconceivable]

There was an error redeeming the entered code.
The code may be invalid. Please carefully verify the characters as you re-enter the code and double check to see if you've mistyped your key. I, L, and 1 can look alike, as can V and Y, and 0 and O.
The code may not yet have been activated. It may take several hours after time of purchase before activation is completed by your retailer, please wait and try redeeming the code again in a little while.
If the currency of the code you are attempting to redeem is different than the region in which you are located, you may not be able to redeem this gift card to your account. If this is the case please return this code to the retailer where it was purchased.

[Inconceivable]

Do you think it might be time of purchase however it's a Christmas present

[Inconceivable]

I do know that it was purcahsed in Ohio and I am in Ohio. It also does say it's specifically steam.

[Ogami]

There have been problems with the redeeming of gift cards for the last 2 days.
You are not the first one, i read a bunch of threads with users that had the same problem.
Most likely a problem with the activation servers on Steam´s end.

I would just wait a day or two and then try again. Since its Christmas and weekend on top Valve will have just a skeleton crew working, i doubt it gets fixed before Monday.

[Inconceivable]

Originally posted by Ogami:

There have been problems with the redeeming of gift cards for the last 2 days.
You are not the first one, i read a bunch of threads with users that had the same problem.
Most likely a problem with the activation servers on Steam´s end.

I would just wait a day or two and then try again. Since its Christmas and weekend on top Valve will have just a skeleton crew working, i doubt it gets fixed before Monday.

That makes sense I'll just wait then

[Bee🐝]

Ok, so if you made sure your typing “o” and not zeros and nothing was scratched off, then it might just be that the cards weren’t properly activated in store - this happens a lot - we see it all the time.

To fix this, the cards have to be taken back to the original store and activated properly. It sucks, but that’s the answers.

Edit, Or, if Ogami is correct - and they have a good track record - it might solve it self. Good news all around!

[rawWwRrr]

Originally posted by Inconceivable:

Do you think it might be time of purchase however it's a Christmas present

Depending on the retailer they were purchased from, it could take a day or two for their systems to activate the cards.

[Matthew]

I've been having this same issue with my Steam gift card. Hopefully it gets fixed soon

[Grey Fox]

Yup i have the same issue here, tried using a prepaid visa i got for x mas at first, no luck. i figured must be an issue with visa, so i go out grab 3 20$ steam cards. tried the first code and got same message as OP. im going to wait before i try this and the other codes again. kind of glad to know i'm not alone with this issue. hope its fixed soon.

[Ettanin]

Originally posted by Inconceivable:

So for xmas I have got a couple steam gift cards right? I try to type in the code and of course it doesn't work. I type it in multiple times and it's different from the other ones . But I have no idea what to do. And in both of them they have a z is the z just supposed to be something else or what?

Are you trying to use it through the "Add a game" menu? This no longer works.

Go here to redeem a steam gift card: https://store.steampowered.com/account/redeemwalletcode
(Top right -> [your Account name (the dropdown, next to news and messages buttons]> -> "Account Details" -> "Add funds to your steam wallet" -> "Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code")

My brother recently had a similar issue because the instructions hinted towards "Add a game" but they are outdated.

[B312]

Steam digital gift cards have been botched for like a week now.
Steam says they are aware of the issue and are working to fix it, but didn't want to say anything more.

[adimanav pac man]

Originally posted by Inconceivable:

I do know that it was purcahsed in Ohio and I am in Ohio. It also does say it's specifically steam.

only in ohio

sorry to hear that brother, I hope your issue gets resolved
please do tell what was the update on this
how was the issue resolved

[miss j,,]

Originally posted by Ettanin:

Originally posted by Inconceivable:

So for xmas I have got a couple steam gift cards right? I try to type in the code and of course it doesn't work. I type it in multiple times and it's different from the other ones . But I have no idea what to do. And in both of them they have a z is the z just supposed to be something else or what?

Are you trying to use it through the "Add a game" menu? This no longer works.

Go here to redeem a steam gift card: https://store.steampowered.com/account/redeemwalletcode
(Top right -> [your Account name (the dropdown, next to news and messages buttons]> -> "Account Details" -> "Add funds to your steam wallet" -> "Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code")

My brother recently had a similar issue because the instructions hinted towards "Add a game" but they are outdated.

that doesn’t work for me either, i tried both the activating a steam key or code as well as the redeem gift card code or whatever. i’m so mad bro, it was 78USD, and the worst part is that i can’t return it back to the retailer because it’s not in my city, i bought it in a diff city that’s like a boat ride away.

[Coral Grim]

don't worry i feel like i have that same issue and they keep saying the bank is holding it... which i think you can only spend 100 on here.... more than 100 and it will giftcards stop working.... I'm not sure why.... but I'm pretty piss at this. It hasn't not been resolved and it's best to just use 1 100$ Steam cards at a time instead... unless that is also broken... they need to fix this immediately before stuff really goes down by lawyers.