Walmart Laptop & Tablet Return Policy Detailed

Short Answer

You can return most items to Walmart within 90 days of purchase with or without a receipt. However, many consumer electronics, including laptops and tablets, are an exception to this rule — you must return these items within 30 days of purchase with the original packaging, though you should still be able to make the return without a receipt. Below, we explain how to return a laptop or tablet to Walmart, whether you bought it in-store or online.

Table of Contents

Walmart’s Laptop and Tablet Return Policy

Walmart accepts returns of laptops and tablets within 30 days of the date of purchase (when bought in-store) or delivery (when bought online).^[1] There is no restocking fee for these items. When you return a laptop or tablet, you must bring it to the Walmart customer service desk with the receipt, original manufacturer’s packaging, manuals, and any included accessories.^[1]

If you don’t have the receipt, store associates should still be able to complete the return using the company’s refund verification process. Keep in mind that without a receipt, your refund will likely be in the form of store credit.^[2]

If you purchased a laptop or tablet on Walmart.com and you are returning it to a Walmart store, you should also bring the packing slip. If you don’t have the original packing slip, you can sign in to your Walmart.com account, select the order you want to return, and then print out the Store Returns Receipt. Our article has more information about returning online Walmart orders.

Returns Without Original Packaging

If you no longer have the packaging materials and/or accessories, Walmart is not required to accept your laptop or tablet return, even if it is undamaged and you have the receipt (as previously reported). Store associates scan the barcode on the item’s packaging to ensure that you purchased it from Walmart, which is why the packaging is essential.

However, store managers can choose to accept or reject individual returns, so it is best to call your local Walmart to ask about returning a laptop or tablet without the packaging or with some accessories missing. If you bought the laptop or tablet online and no longer have the packaging, you can direct your questions to Walmart’s virtual help desk.

Returns During the Holiday Season

Walmart extends its standard computer and tablet return policy during the holiday shopping season.^[3] This policy typically applies to purchases made from November 1 through December 24, and it allows for the 30-day return window to begin starting on December 26 instead of the date of purchase.

Walmart Laptop & Tablet Return Policy vs. Best Buy

Best Buy offers a shorter return window than Walmart for laptops and tablets. Best Buy’s laptop and tablet return policy only allows customers to make returns within 15 days, and Best Buy Elite and Best Buy Elite Plus members have 30 and 45 days, respectively.^[4] Tablets that require cellular activation must be returned within 14 days regardless of membership status.^[4] Make sure to bring the item’s original packaging, the receipt, the original method of payment, and a government-issued ID. There is no restocking fee for laptops; tablets that have been activated may, however, be subject to a restocking fee.

If you lost your receipt but paid by credit or debit card, customer service representatives may be able to look up your purchase and provide you with a copy of the receipt. For online purchases, you can log in to your Best Buy account and print out a receipt.

Best Buy’s policy also differs from Walmart’s regarding partial returns. If you are missing some accessories or parts of the original packaging, Best Buy may reject the return, but it might also process your return with a non-refundable deduction for what is missing.^[4]