The Popular Steam Gift Card Errors and How to Fix Them

Few things are as annoying as the popular Steam gift card errors and their refusal to work. You have got the code, and you are ready to buy that game or top up your wallet. Then, you get “Invalid code,” or some random error pops up. Now you are stuck wondering what went wrong. You might even try to get assistance from a friend, but they are facing a similar challenge.

Well, Steam gift card errors are pretty common, especially if you are redeeming from outside the US or using a third-party platform. The good news is, most of these issues have simple fixes. In this guide, I will show you the most common Steam gift card errors and how to fix them.

5 Popular Steam Gift Card Errors Messages and Their Solutions

Here are five common Steam gift card error messages and their solutions;

Not Activated

If your Steam gift card shows “Not Activated,” don’t stress. It just means the card has not yet been properly registered. Like all gift cards, Steam cards need to be activated before they will work. So, what should you do if this happens?

The Solution;

Confirm the card was properly purchased

Sometimes, the cashier might forget to activate the card at the point of sale. If you bought it yourself, check your receipt for the activation code or confirmation. If it’s missing, go back to the store with proof of purchase and ask them to activate it.

Double-check where you bought the card

If you got the card from an unreliable source, there’s a chance it was never activated or even tampered with. Always buy from trusted vendors or platforms like Ridima if you are trading or receiving gift cards.

Contact Steam Support

If you are sure the card should be activated but it still won’t work, contact Steam Support. Ensure you have all your card details ready. The agent may require the code, purchase details, and a photo of the card, if possible. With that, they can verify the card’s status and guide you through the next steps.

Be patient, but act fast.

Sometimes there’s just a delay between activation and availability. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it still fails, don’t keep trying continuously, as that can trigger a lock on your Steam account. Take action early. You can seek other help.

Unrecognised or Invalid Claim Code

This error usually pops up when the card has not been activated yet, or the code was entered incorrectly. It’s easy to mix up characters like “O” and “0” or “I” and “1.” If your Steam gift card is not working, double-check the code and make sure the card was properly activated at purchase. Still having issues? Here’s what to do next.

The Solution;

Here are possible solutions for this Steam gift card error;

Confirm Activation: If you bought the card yourself, return to the store (physical or online) and ask them to verify that it was activated at checkout. Without activation, the card won’t work.
Check the Code Carefully: Re-enter the code and pay close attention to characters that look alike. Don’t confuse:

“O” with zero (0)

“I” with one (1)

“B” with eight (8)

Try Another Device or Browser: If everything looks right but it is still not working, switch devices or use another browser. Some browser auto-fills can mess with input fields. Try entering the code manually to ascertain every detail.
Contact Steam Support: If you have confirmed activation and the code is correct, but it still won’t redeem, reach out to Steam Support. Provide them with:

A clear photo of the card (if physical)
Purchase receipt
Full code (typed, not just in photos)

Steam may be able to resolve the issue or issue a replacement.

Region Restrictions

You will most likely experience Steam card failure if you try to redeem it in an unsupported region. Speaking from experience, this was the challenge I faced because I wanted to redeem a Steam gift card I bought in the USA in Nigeria. The currency of the card’s code is different from that of Nigeria, but there is a solution.

The Solution;

The most appropriate solution for the Steam gift card region error is to contact the Steam gift card customer service for support. Another important solution is to always patronise local vendors like Ridima for your Steam gift card. That way, you can totally avoid issues like this.

Already Redeemed Gift Card

This error is straightforward, as it simply means the gift card has been used. This happens most of the time when dubious vendors sell used cards to their customers. On rare occasions, you may get this message if you type the wrong code that matches a used gift card instead of your card code.

The Solution;

Buy your gift cards from a credible platform like Ridima. If you are certain about the source of your gift card, you can double-check your code.

Temporary Server Problems

This error occurs when the website is under maintenance or experiencing unusual traffic. Server problems are not serious.

The Solution:

The solution is to wait and try again another time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Errors Associated with Steam Gift Cards

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about errors associated with Steam gift cards;

Question 1: How can I check if my Steam gift card is valid?

You can redeem the Steam gift card through your Steam account. If the gift card is still valid, the funds will be added to your account balance.

Question 2: How long does it take for a Steam gift card to activate?

A Steam gift card activates right after you redeem it. However, if it is a brand-new Steam account, you might notice a slight delay due to extra verification steps for security reasons.

Question 3: Can I redeem a Steam gift card while offline?

No, you need to have access to an active internet connection to redeem a Steam gift card.

Question 4: Why is my Steam gift card not working?

Your Steam gift card may not be working for several reasons. Common reasons include improper activation, using the wrong code, or region restriction. Check the earlier part of this article to see the solution for each problem.

Question 5: Why is my Steam gift card saying invalid?

An invalid error means you are inputting the wrong code or your card is not properly registered. Ascertain the code before you input it, or confirm the activation status of your card before redeeming it.

Question 6: What should I do with a Steam gift card if I don’t need it?

The best thing to do with an unwanted Steam gift card is to gift a friend who loves games or trade it for instant cash on Ridima.

Conclusion

Running into an error while redeeming your Steam gift card can be frustrating. However, most of these issues can be solved with the right steps. If you ever feel stuck or suspect the card might be compromised, don’t keep guessing. Reach out to Steam Support or, better yet, avoid future issues by buying and trading only through trusted platforms like Ridima. At Ridima, we provide reliable gift cards, smooth transactions, and zero guesswork. Trade with us today.

Reference;
https://cardtonic.com/read/popular-steam-gift-card-errors-fix

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