If your Overwatch "free credits" — which typically refer to in-game currencies like Legacy Credits or recently acquired Overwatch Coins — are not appearing or seem unusable, the most common reason is a display error that can often be resolved with a simple relog.
Common Troubleshooting for Missing Credits
The primary solution for resolving display issues with your in-game currencies, including Overwatch Coins, Legacy Credits, Overwatch League Tokens, or Competitive Points, involves completely refreshing your connection to the game and the Battle.net client.
The Primary Solution: Re-logging
Steps to take:
- Log out of Overwatch: Ensure you fully exit the game.
- Log out of the Battle.net Desktop App: If the Battle.net application is open on your computer, log out of it completely.
- Close All Related Applications: Make sure no Overwatch or Battle.net processes are still running in the background.
- Log Back In: Relaunch the Battle.net Desktop App and then log back into Overwatch.
After completing these steps, check your currency balance again. Often, this action refreshes the game's data and correctly displays your available credits.
Why This Works
This troubleshooting step effectively forces the game and the Battle.net client to re-authenticate your account and reload your currency data from the server. This can resolve temporary synchronization issues or display glitches that prevent your credits from showing up correctly.
Understanding Overwatch In-Game Currencies
In Overwatch 2, "free credits" can refer to a few different currency types, each with specific uses:
| Currency Type | How It's Typically Obtained (often "free") | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Credits | Carried over from Overwatch 1, earned through specific in-game challenges, battle pass tiers, or event rewards. | Unlocking most older cosmetics (skins, emotes, sprays, voice lines) in the Hero Gallery. |
| Overwatch Coins | Purchased with real money, but also earnable through weekly challenges and battle pass progression. | Buying new premium cosmetics, the Battle Pass, or older cosmetics in the shop. |
| Competitive Points | Earned by playing competitive matches and reaching specific ranks. | Unlocking golden weapon skins for heroes. |
| Overwatch League Tokens | Earned by watching Overwatch League broadcasts or purchased directly. | Buying Overwatch League team-specific skins. |
If you're unsure which type of "free credits" you're expecting, understanding these distinctions can help clarify where they should appear and what they can be used for.
Other Potential Reasons (Beyond Display Errors)
While display errors are common, other factors might explain why your credits aren't working as expected:
- Delays in Granting: Sometimes, there can be a slight delay between earning credits (e.g., completing a challenge or battle pass tier) and them appearing in your account.
- Specific Requirements Not Met: Ensure you've fully completed the specific conditions required to earn the credits. For instance, some battle pass rewards might require claiming or reaching a certain level.
- Server or Account Glitches: Less commonly, underlying server issues or specific account-related glitches could prevent credits from being awarded or displayed correctly.
When to Contact Support
If the re-logging steps do not resolve the issue, and you are certain you should have received the credits, it's best to contact Blizzard Support directly. They can investigate your account and transaction history to determine the exact cause of the missing credits. When contacting support, provide as much detail as possible, including:
- When and how you expected to receive the credits.
- The exact amount and type of currency you believe is missing.
- Any troubleshooting steps you've already attempted.
