Lowe’s Return Policy: Everything You Need To Know

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Whether you bought the wrong type of paint, your new light fixture didn’t match your décor or your tools didn’t perform as expected, knowing how Lowe’s return policy works can save you time and frustration.

Lowe’s offers one of the more flexible return policies among major home improvement retailers — up to 90-day return window for many items. But it comes with specific conditions, timelines and exceptions.

Return Timeframes

Lowe’s standard return policy gives you 90 days from the date of purchase to return most new, unused items with proof of purchase. Some product categories have shorter return windows. 

Here’s an overview of the Lowe’s return timeframe for purchases:

What Items Are Eligible for Return?

Most items sold at Lowe’s can be returned within the eligible window if they’re:

• Unused
• In original, sellable condition
• Accompanied by a receipt or proof of purchase

The return policy at Lowe’s specifies that the following items are nonrefundable: 

• Gift cards
• Installed appliances after 48 hours
• Safety masks 
• Whole house generators
• Highway trailers
• Clearance or “as-is” final sale items
• Delivery or shipping charges — unless it’s a mistake from Lowe’s

Paint is often eligible for Lowe’s “Paint Guarantee,” which lets you exchange it if the color isn’t quite right.

You can also return purchases from a Buy One, Get One promotion, but be aware that you won’t get a refund for the original amount. The way these promotions work is that the discount for each item is allocated proportionally, and your refund will reflect that.

Refund Options

Lowe’s offers multiple refund options depending on how you paid and the condition of the return.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Checks: Refunds over $1,000 may be issued as a corporate check mailed to you. 
• Original payment method: Refunds are issued back to your credit or debit card or cash if you paid in-store.
• Store credit: You can get in-store credit if you paid with a check and if it’s within three days of purchase. You can also get in-store credit if you used a gift card, merchandise card or in-store credit.

In-Store vs. Online Returns

Returning items to Lowe’s is possible both in-store and online, but the steps and timelines differ.

Common Return Issues and How To Solve Them

Lost your receipt? No worries — Lowe’s can usually look up your purchase if you paid with a credit/debit card, your Lowe’s card or account or MyLowe’s membership.

If the item is damaged or defective, bring it back to the store or call 1-800-445-6937 for online orders. Most defective items are eligible for a refund or exchange if reported within the return window.

If you’re past the return window, Lowe’s return policy does not outline whether the item can still be returned. It also doesn’t specify any instances where you would receive a partial refund for an item.

How To Start a Return

Returning a Lowe’s item is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

In-Store

You can go to a Lowe’s store and get a refund by following these steps:

• Bring the item, your receipt and a valid photo ID.
• Visit any Lowe’s customer service desk.
• Request a refund or exchange.

Online Return

Here’s how to make a Lowe’s return online:

• Log in to your account or visit the Order Lookup tool.
• Select the item you want to return and follow the prompts.
• Print your return shipping label.
• Package the item and drop it off at the carrier or schedule a pickup.

For large items like appliances or lumber, Lowe’s may arrange return pickup.

Lowe’s return policy is one of the more customer-friendly options among major retailers, especially with its 90-day window and broad eligibility. But like most policies, there are exceptions and fine print to know before you start a return.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of Dec. 3, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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