Problem with Microsoft account balance

Gus Jones · Jun 18, 2017

I placed $10 in my daughters XBox Live account through the microsoft.com/family website but when she tried to purchase something she gets the following message: "You cannot buy or download because of how your account is setup." I've confirmed she has no
restrictions on games or content. Has anyone else ever come across this?

:)

CyclingGuyNOLA · Jun 18, 2017

can you use xbox funds to send giftcards

Unfortunately not. I've had this same problem myself. Your account balance can only be used to buy Apps, Games, Music as well as Digital DLC for Games and Apps.

Microsoft Account Balance Facts

Waynej · Jun 18, 2017

How to check your Xbox MSP expiry dates

I've seen some comments on this elsewhere in the forums, and while someone may have posted this before now, I've certainly not seen it.

For those unaware and concerned over their Microsoft points expiring, you can check the exact date that they expire. Sign into Xbox.com with your gamertag, click My Account at top right, goto Billing History and then click the Payment Options tab, this will display your recent Microsoft points purchases and their expiration date. Naughty, naughty, Microsoft. :nono:

All Microsoft points will expire 12-mths after their redeemed date. It's not just the points that you had on your account before they were converted to real currency, Microsoft points that you can still currently buy today will also expire after 12-mths.

If you don't like Microsoft vapourising your virtual money then you'd be best to stick to the new Xbox Gift Cards, but with Xbox One and day-1 digital right around the corner I am sure most of us will use this money up before it gets checked out and placed into BillyG's bank account.

And here's another bit of info from the FAQ, I'll bolden the interesting bit. It mainly states whenever you buy anything Microsoft automatically use the money that is closest to expiring.

What is the difference between promotional and non-promotional balances?

From time to time, and for marketing purposes, Microsoft may offer promotional gift cards that you can redeem to your Microsoft account. A promotional gift card may require that you redeem the value listed on the card, or use any redeemed balance, by a certain date or within a certain time period. Please refer to any terms and conditions associated with the promotion in question for specific details or restrictions.

Any balance in your Microsoft account that has not been designated as promotional will not expire. However, if you do not use your account balance for a prolonged period of time, the law may require us to consider your account balance abandoned. In that case, and in some countries where the law requires it, we may be obliged to transfer any non-promotional balance in your account to the appropriate government authority and you will have to retrieve your funds from the relevant authority. We will try to reach you and give you adequate notice before transferring your account balance.

When using your account balance to make a purchase at a participating Microsoft store, Microsoft automatically uses any promotional value in your account balance before any other value that is stored in your account, and does so in the order of the promotional value scheduled to expire first.Click to expand...
Click to expand...

ngocphi · Jun 18, 2017

depends on the game she is trying to buy

If it's a 360 then no

You must make the purchase

ngocphi

depends on the game she is trying to buy

If it's a 360 then no

You must make the purchase

CyclingGuyNOLA

Unfortunately not. I've had this same problem myself. Your account balance can only be used to buy Apps, Games, Music as well as Digital DLC for Games and Apps.

Microsoft Account Balance Facts

GamXbo

As I contacted support this time, an assistant told me that my default billing adress is different than the region (I didn't change it durring migration). We have added a new one, from Argentina and now I need to wait 24 hours without purchases on this
account. Thanks for your help.

AwR23

Its not letting you buy, cause some times it charges you the tax so maybe that might be the problem

{Parity}

You will need to reach out to
Xbox Support for purchasing issues.

The best way to reach Live Support would be here:
Xbox Support

Step 1 ----Select Xbox One

Step 2 ----Select See other options

Step 3 ----Select topic (Ex. System Update)

Step 4 ----Select "Show contact options"

Step 5 ----Select request a call from support

Problem with Microsoft account balance