QR code not scanning? Check the phone, print and link

Check whether the phone already read the code

If a banner shows a URL, the phone has decoded the pattern. If the page then fails, test the URL and internet connection. If no banner appears, start with the camera, print and lighting. For a restaurant card that gives a 404 on two phones, try opening the URL directly before ordering new prints.

Compare two codes on one phone

1. On iPhone use Camera or Code Scanner. On Android check the camera’s QR option or try Google Lens if available.
2. Fit all four corners in the frame. Step back slightly and tilt glossy prints to avoid reflections.
3. Try a second code that you know works. If both fail, check camera focus and scanning settings.
4. For a saved picture, try the scanner in a compatible photo app or display the image on another screen.

Fix a code that works on screen but fails in print

Keep a clear margin around the pattern. Standard QR codes need four modules of quiet space on each edge. Use a dark pattern on a light background, avoid stretching, and test a version without a large logo. A shorter URL under your control can produce a less dense pattern. Print one sample and test it from the distance customers will actually use.

The link appears but does not load

Verify the domain before entering a password or making a payment. If it is the expected domain, compare Wi-Fi and mobile data. If other sites work but this URL returns 404, ask for the updated link. If you manage the page, restore the destination and rescan an existing card before replacing it.