How to redeem a Steam code

There are two kinds of code you can redeem on Steam, and they go to two different places. A wallet code adds funds to your Steam balance. A product key (also called a game key or CD key) adds an actual game or piece of software to your library. Both are redeemed the same way, either through the desktop client or a browser, and both take about thirty seconds. The trick is knowing which kind you are holding so you use the right box, and knowing how to read the error if it does not go through.

Redeem a code in the desktop client

This is the most reliable path because it activates the code directly against your logged-in account.

Open the Steam desktop app and make sure you are signed in.
Click Games in the top menu bar.
Choose Activate a Product on Steam.
Click through the intro prompt and agree to the subscriber agreement.
Type or paste the code exactly as printed, then click Next.

If it is a game key, the game installs to your library. If it is a wallet code, your Steam balance goes up by the amount on the card. The same Activate a Product on Steam flow handles both.

Redeem a code in a browser

You do not need the desktop app. Two web pages cover it.

For a game or product key, go to the "Activate a Product on Steam" page under your Steam account settings, sign in, and enter the key. Steam adds the game to your library.
For a Steam Wallet code specifically, use the "Redeem a Steam Wallet Code" page, sign in, and enter the code to top up your balance.

The mobile Steam app works too. Open the menu, find the option to activate a product or redeem a wallet code, and enter it there. Whatever device you use, the code lands on the account you are logged into, so double-check you are on the right account before you submit.

Wallet code vs product key: know the difference

This is where most confusion starts, because the two look similar on a card.

Wallet code. Adds money to your Steam balance. You then spend that balance on anything in the store. It is not tied to a specific game. Physical Steam gift cards and digital Steam gift cards both deliver wallet codes.
Product key / game key. Unlocks one specific game or app. It does not add spendable balance. These come from key resellers, retail boxes, bundle sites, and developer promotions.

If you enter a wallet code in the game-key box or the other way around, Steam rejects it as invalid even though the code itself is fine. When a code will not take, the first thing to check is whether you are redeeming the right type in the right place. For more on how balance and cards work, see Steam Wallet and gift cards.

Common activation errors and how to fix them

"The product code you've entered is not valid." Usually a typo or the wrong code type. Retype it by hand rather than pasting, and watch for characters that look alike: zero vs the letter O, one vs the letter I, and 5 vs S.
"This Steam account already owns the product." You (or someone with access to the account) already redeemed this game. A key can only be activated once.
"This code has already been activated." Common with resold keys. If you bought from a third party and the code is already used, that is a matter for the seller, not Steam Support.
Region-locked key. Some keys only activate from a specific country or VPN region. If the store you bought from listed a region restriction, the key will refuse to activate outside it.
Rate limit / too many attempts. Enter enough wrong codes and Steam temporarily blocks activation on your account, usually for about an hour. Wait it out rather than hammering the box.

Community threads like "please help me with code redeem, not working" on the Steam forums show the same pattern in the wild: most failed redemptions come down to a mistyped character, a code that was already used, or the wrong code type in the wrong field. Steam's own CD key help wizard is the official next step if a genuinely valid key still refuses.

If the code you were handed is actually a gift rather than a key, that is a separate flow. See how to gift a game on Steam for how gifts arrive and get accepted.

FAQ

Where do I enter a Steam code? In the desktop app, go to Games, then Activate a Product on Steam. In a browser, use the "Activate a Product on Steam" page for game keys or the "Redeem a Steam Wallet Code" page for wallet codes.

Why is my valid Steam code showing as invalid? Almost always a typo or the wrong code type. Retype it carefully, watch for lookalike characters, and confirm whether it is a wallet code or a game key.

Can I redeem a Steam code on my phone? Yes. The Steam mobile app has an option to activate a product or redeem a wallet code, and it applies to whichever account you are signed in on.

What is the difference between a wallet code and a game key? A wallet code adds spendable balance to your account. A game key unlocks one specific game. They are redeemed the same way but do different things.

A resold key says it is already activated. Can Steam help? No. If a third-party key was already used before you got it, Steam cannot reverse that. You have to take it up with the seller you bought it from.