Walmart Computer & Laptop Return Policy 2023 (Guide)

Let‘s take an in-depth look at Walmart‘s return policy for laptop and desktop computer purchases in 2024 so you know exactly what to expect if you need to return a recent purchase.

What Are Walmart‘s Return Policies For New Computers and Laptops?

First, let’s summarize the key details of Walmart‘s return policy for computers and laptops bought in a store or online:

30 day return window – Just 30 days from purchase date to return a computer or laptop. Much shorter than the 90 day policy for most Walmart purchases.
Original packaging required – You must have the original boxes, manuals, accessories to return the item. Walmart needs to be able to resell it as new.
Proof of purchase – The original receipt or order info is required to show where and when you bought the computer. This verifies the return meets the 30 day cutoff.
Refund options – Within 30 days, you can get a full refund back to your original payment method or a Walmart gift card for the amount paid.

So in essence, you have just one month to return a new computer or laptop to Walmart, and you must have all original parts, packaging, receipts, etc. This allows Walmart to confirm the purchase and resell the item.

Now let’s look at why Walmart differs from other major retailers in their computer and laptop return policies…

Why Does Walmart Have A Strict 30 Day Return Policy On Computers?

Walmart sells over $13 billion in consumer electronics every year, including a massive number of laptops and desktop computers from brands like HP, Dell, Acer, and even Apple. In fact, an estimated 1 in 4 computers sold in the US comes from Walmart!

Given the high volume they handle, Walmart needs to minimize losses and fraud from excessive returns. Computers also must be resold as new to get full value.

This leads Walmart to impose a strict 30 day return policy for computers and laptops, compared to more lenient policies from other major retailers:

Retailer	Computer & Laptop Return Policy
Walmart	30 days
Best Buy	14 days for computers
Amazon	30 days for electronics
Target	30 days

You can see Walmart matches competitors for the 1 month computer and laptop return window. But many of Walmart‘s general merchandise categories have 90 day policies, so electronics are tighter.

Let‘s look at how returning in-store purchases compares to Walmart.com orders…

Walmart Return Policies: In-Store vs Online Orders

The same 30 day return policy applies whether you purchased your computer or laptop at a Walmart store or ordered it online from Walmart.com. But the logistics do differ.

For in-store purchases, you can return the item to any Walmart location, regardless of where you originally bought it. Just bring the computer, packaging, accessories, and receipt to the customer service desk within 30 days.

For online orders, you‘ll need to either drop off the return at your local Walmart or mail it back to Walmart.com. Print the return shipping label they provide and make sure to insure and track the package!

Returning online orders by mail allows flexibility but also introduces risks:

Pros

Start return from home, ship on your schedule
Avoid lugging computer to the store

Cons

Shipping could damage the computer if not properly packed
Delay and uncertainty waiting for refund
No immediate receipt from Walmart

Whether you shopped online or in-store, follow the tips below for smooth computer and laptop returns to Walmart.

How To Return a Computer To Walmart In 2023: Tips For Success

Let‘s walk through exactly how to handle Walmart computer and laptop returns to meet their policies and avoid issues:

1. Keep All Original Packaging And Accessories!

This is crucial. Walmart will want to resell your returned computer or laptop as a new, unopened item. So you must keep and return:

The original product boxes and inserts
Any included cables, power cords, adapters
Manuals and documentation
Software discs or recovery drives

Missing or damaged packaging signals the item may have been opened or used. Without everything, Walmart could reject the return or charge a restocking fee.

2. Keep Your Receipt Or Proof Of Purchase

While Walmart can look up purchase dates for items bought with their payment cards, having the original receipt ensures there are no issues confirming your purchase details.

If you paid with a non-Walmart card or gift card, the receipt is required to claim a refund. No receipt means you‘ll likely get just a store gift card rather than cash back.

3. Pack Computer Securely If Mailing The Return

For online orders, use the original boxes and packing materials if mailing back your return. Seal the boxes fully with packing tape, do not rely on just the original seals.

Wrap the computer boxes in bubble wrap for extra protection. Place inside a sturdy outer box to avoid damage in transit back to Walmart.

4. Insure and Track Computer Return Shipments

Electronics are targets for theft, so make sure you purchase tracking and insurance when mailing your computer or laptop return.

Get tracking updates and signature confirmation of delivery to have peace of mind. This also provides recourse if the package goes missing or is damaged.

5. Keep A Copy Of Return Shipping Receipts

Hold on to the tracking information and any mailing receipts until your refund clears from Walmart. This creates a paper trail in case there are any issues receiving credit for your return.

6. Perform Factory Reset Before Returning

Before boxing up the computer for return, do a full factory reset or wipe to erase your data and restore default software settings. This avoids potential privacy issues or refusal from Walmart.

Following these tips will help ensure Walmart accepts your computer or laptop return! Let‘s look at how holiday returns differ from the normal policies.

Walmart Holiday Extended Return Policy for Computers

Walmart provides a holiday extended return period every year for items purchased in November and December. This gives extra time for returns on gifts or impulse purchases.

Rather than just 30 days, any computer, laptop, tablet, phone, etc. bought during the 2022 November – December holiday shopping season can be returned up until mid-January 2023 at Walmart.

So you effectively get 30 days beyond the original 30 day computer return window. It gives you greater flexibility if buying an expensive or risky electronics gift for someone else.

Just be aware this holiday policy extension does NOT apply for computers or laptops bought before November or after December each year. The normal 30 day return window still holds in those cases.

Walmart also typically limits this to around 3 gift returns without receipts per customer. It curbs excessive and fraudulent returns following the holidays.

Can You Return Opened Software, Games, or Gift Cards?

One type of computer accessory that cannot be returned – even unopened – is computer software delivered by email or download codes.

This includes:

Downloaded games, apps, programs
Redeemed game and software gift card codes
Digital subscriptions

Once provided to the customer digitally, Walmart cannot verify if the one-time use code has been redeemed or copied. So there are no returns allowed on digital computer software from Walmart.

However, unopened software on physical discs or drives can be returned as long as packaging seals are intact. You just need to do so within 30 days of purchase.

In summary:

Unopened discs/drives – Returnable
Opened discs/drives – Not returnable
Downloads and gift cards – Not returnable

Check this policy before buying downloadable or gift card software!

Returning Defective, Broken, or Damaged Computers

If your new computer stops working properly due to manufacturer defects or shipping damage, you can do a return to Walmart even past the 30 day window.

You will need to demonstrate the issue for customer service, ideally with video or photo proof. Be ready to reproduce the error if asked – don‘t just state "it‘s broken".

For example, if the laptop has a dead pixel, show them on the screen. If the desktop PC crashes when loading programs, demonstrate the behavior.

Walmart will test the computer before approving a return. Have your proof ready!

Some common reasons to return defective computers include:

Dead pixels or screen defects
Software/OS crashing and freezing issues
Component failures (storage, RAM, GPU)
Damage during shipping

Manufacturing flaws and transport damage falls on the retailer and brand to make right, overriding normal return policies.

Just don‘t expect Walmart to accept a return past 30 days because you simply "changed your mind" or found a better price later. Stick to true defects and damage!

How To Get The Most Value From Walmart Computer Purchases

Here are some tips to maximize value from your Walmart computer or laptop purchase:

Compare Walmart‘s return policy against other retailers to choose the longest trial period. Walmart tends to offer 30 days for computers where places like Costco give 90!
For expensive purchases, buy with a credit card offering extended returns and warranty coverage as a backup.
Thoroughly test and inspect the computer during the initial return period and confirm it works properly before the deadline. Run diagnostics!
Hold on to receipts as proof of purchase to ease any future customer service needs.
If gifting computers, let recipients know the return deadlines so they can evaluate within policy.
For online orders, track shipment dates closely so you know the 30 day clock start time.
Setup alerts on credit/debit cards used for any refund notification after returns.
Take photos documenting serial numbers and condition before packaging for return shipment.

Exercising Walmart‘s 30 day risk-free return period on big-ticket computer purchases gives significant buyer protection – if you follow all their policies!

Summary of Walmart‘s Computer and Laptop Return Policies

To wrap up, here are the key facts about returning desktops, laptops, and accessories to Walmart:

30 days to return computers and laptops (new policy as of 2022)
Must have all original packaging, parts, receipts
Return to any store or mail back online orders
Get full refund or Walmart gift card credit
Most accessories follow standard 90 day policy
Opened software and gift cards are non-returnable
Holiday purchases have extended January return period
Defective items can be returned after 30 days

Hopefully this detailed guide gives you confidence when purchasing computers and electronics at Walmart. Always check with customer service if you need to make a return and have questions!