Why Is My QR Code Not Working? 8 Causes and Fixes

A printed QR code "doesn't work" in one of two ways: the phone can't read it at all, or it reads it but the page that opens shows an error. The causes are different. Below are the 8 most common causes and how to fix each one. The first is the most expensive, especially for companies whose catalogs and packaging are already printed.

1. The dynamic QR code's subscription ended

Many QR websites generate "dynamic QR codes": the code contains not your address but a short address on their site. The reader first goes to the QR service's server and is then redirected to your page. When the trial or subscription ends, the service shuts down or your account is deleted, the redirect stops and every printed QR code suddenly opens an error page.

How to tell: scan the QR code with a phone and look at the address shown. If it shows a QR service's name instead of your own domain, the code is dynamic.

Fix: for new print runs, use a static QR code that carries your address directly. You can create static QR codes with your logo and colour using our free QR code generator; with no service in between, they never expire. If you need to change the content later, point the QR code to an address on your own domain and manage the redirect yourself.

2. The target address changed or the page is gone

The static QR code works, but the address inside no longer exists: the website was rebuilt, the campaign page removed, or the domain expired. The phone reads the code and the page returns 404.

Fix: use permanent addresses in print (e.g. example.com/catalog). When rebuilding a website, link old addresses to new pages with permanent (301) redirects.

3. The QR code was printed too small

The general rule is about one tenth of the scanning distance: around 3 cm for a catalog read from 30 cm, much bigger for a poster on a wall. Longer addresses and a logo in the middle make the code denser, so it needs to be bigger.

Fix: work out the size for the scanning distance and address length with the QR code size calculator.

4. Not enough contrast, or inverted colours

QR codes printed in light grey, pastel or the same tone as the background are hard to read. Some phones can't read inverted QR codes (light on dark) at all.

Fix: use a dark QR code on a light background. If your brand colour is light, print the QR code in a dark shade.

5. No white space around it

A phone finds the edge of a QR code thanks to the space around it. If text, a frame or a photo touches the code, scanning fails.

Fix: leave a white (or light) margin at least 4 modules wide on every side.

6. Glossy, curved or damaged surface

Gloss lamination and varnish reflect light; curved surfaces such as bottles distort the code; a code on a fold or binding margin gets bent.

Fix: prefer a matte surface in the QR area and place the code on a flat surface away from folds.

7. The code is too dense (address too long)

Long addresses with tracking parameters make the QR code very dense; in small print the modules blur together.

Fix: use a short address. A short address means a sparse QR code.

8. It wasn't tested before printing

A code that scans fine on screen can behave differently on paper.

Fix: print a proof at final size and test it with different phones in real lighting. For the full list, see the print-ready checklist.

A catalog doesn't need a QR code per product

Printing a separate QR code for each of dozens of products in a catalog spoils the design, and every one of them carries all the risks above. With ImageWake the catalog has a single QR code: the reader opens it once, then points their phone at any product photo and that product's video plays. See QR code or image recognition? and the catalogs page for details.