QR code not scanning? How to fix it

Try the easy fixes first

• Clean the camera lens
• Hold steady, and move a little closer or further away
• Get all three corner squares in the frame
• Find even light and avoid glare
• Try another phone to rule out your own

Check the print

• Too small: make it bigger. Around 2 cm (0.8 in) is a common minimum for close-up scanning, and larger for a distance.
• Low contrast: use a dark code on a light background.
• Inverted colors: some phones struggle with light codes on dark backgrounds.
• No margin: leave clear space around the code.
• Blurry: print from an SVG or a high-resolution PNG.
• Too much covered: a large logo can hide too much of the pattern.

Check for damage

Creases, scratches, curved surfaces and shiny lamination can all break up the pattern. Codes can recover from some damage, but not all of it.

If it scans but the page fails

Then the code is fine and the link is the problem. The page may have moved, or a redirect service may have stopped forwarding. Our guide on why a QR code stopped working explains what to do.

Check your code

Scan it, upload a photo, or paste the link. We'll show where it goes and who controls it.

Questions