QR Code Not Working or Expired?
Here's why, and how to fix it. Add a photo or screenshot of your old code to see what went wrong, then make a replacement that never expires.
Drop a photo or screenshot of your old code
On a phone, you can take a photo. On a computer, you can also paste an image with Ctrl+V / ⌘V.
Why QR codes stop working
The free trial ended
Some generators put their own short link inside your code, so they can count scans. When the trial or plan ends, they switch that link off, and every printed copy stops working at once. The check above tells you if your code works this way.
The page moved or closed
The code still works, but the page it opens is gone. This happens a lot with listing pages, online menus and event pages.
The details changed
Codes for Wi-Fi, phone numbers and contact cards hold the details themselves. If the password or number changed, the code is out of date.
The print is damaged or covered
Scratches, fading, glare from a glossy finish, or a sticker over part of the pattern can stop phones from reading it.
It's too small or too faint
Pale colors, a light code on a dark background, or a code shrunk to fit a flyer are all hard to scan. Dark on light, at least about an inch wide, works best.
The phone is the problem
Try wiping the camera lens, stepping back a little and adding light. On some Android phones, QR scanning has to be turned on in the camera settings.
How to make a QR code that never stops working
- Use a static code, where your link or details are stored in the pattern itself. Every code on No Strings QR works this way.
- Point it at a page you control, like your own website, rather than a page that can come down.
- Print it dark on light, at least about an inch wide, and scan it with your phone before you print a batch.
Questions
Do QR codes expire?
The pattern itself can't expire. A printed code works for as long as the print lasts. What can stop is a link inside it: if a company's link sits between the code and your page, that company can switch it off.
Why did my QR code stop working after the free trial?
Your code most likely held the generator's short link instead of your own address. When the trial ended, they switched that link off. Renew with them to turn it back on, or replace it with a code that holds your real address.
Will my old QR code still work?
If it opens your own website directly, or holds details like Wi-Fi or a phone number, yes, as long as those haven't changed. If it goes through a QR company's link, it works only while that company keeps the link on. Check it above to find out.
Can I fix a dead QR code without reprinting?
Only the company that runs the link can switch it back on, usually when you renew. Otherwise, the printed copies need replacing. A code that holds your real address can't be switched off, so this won't happen again.
How can I tell if a QR code is static or dynamic?
Check what's inside it. If it opens your own website directly or holds the details itself, it's static. If the address belongs to a QR company or a short-link service, it's dynamic, and someone else controls it.