Limited Steam accounts: requirements and restrictions
Steam limits new accounts to prevent spammers and scammers from creating them in batches. The status can be removed with one action: spend $5 or the equivalent in your currency at Steam. But there are nuances to what exactly counts.
What is not available to a limited account, which purchases remove the restriction and which are not counted, and why trading may still not work after removal.
Features unavailable to limited accounts
Marketplace and exchanges - completely. This is what people usually end up here for.
Sending friend requests, chatting with unfriended people, commenting on profiles and discussions, creating groups, voting in reviews, and uploading content to the Workshop.
You can play, buy games and get achievements without restrictions - the status only applies to social and trading functions.
Which purchases count?
Counts: purchasing a game or other content in the Steam store for an amount of $5 or more and replenishing the Steam wallet for the same amount.
Does not count: activation of a key purchased externally, games received as a gift, free games, funds received from the sale of items, and purchases paid for with a gift card from another user.
The threshold is calculated based on the actual amount spent, and not on the cost of the library. Once spent, the status is removed and does not come back.
After payment, the status is not always updated instantly. If after a few hours nothing has changed, check that the purchase went through completely and is not stuck waiting for payment.
- The easiest way is to top up your wallet - it definitely counts.
- Do not ask another person to pay for you: a gift does not remove the restriction.
- Services claiming they can remove limited-account status for you are scams.
Other restrictions can still apply
This happens often, and the reason is that there are several restrictions and they are independent. Removing the limited status does not cancel the seven-day block on purchased items, nor the fifteen-day hold on exchanges without a mobile authenticator.
That is, after payment you still need to connect Steam Guard and wait a week. Only then will trade work normally.
The exact reason is always shown by Steam himself when attempting an action - read the entire message, it says what exactly is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to spend to remove the restriction?
5 US dollars or equivalent in account currency. A purchase in a store or replenishment of a wallet is considered.
Does activation of a key from a third-party site count?
No. The restriction is lifted only by purchases made directly from Steam.
Does a gifted game remove the restriction?
No. The money must be spent from your account.
Is a limited account a ban?
No. This is the standard status of a new account, not a punishment. It does not affect games or achievements.
I spent $5, but trades still don't work. Why?
Most likely, another limitation applies: there is no mobile authenticator or it has been connected for less than seven days. These are separate rules.
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