12 Reasons Why Your QR Code is Not Working
Is your QR code not scanning? Are you experiencing low scanning rates? There are various reasons for such occurrences. Here are reasons why your QR code might not be functioning:
Inverted QR Code Colors
A crucial rule in creating QR codes: avoid color inversion. QR scanners are designed to detect codes with higher contrast relative to the background. Insufficient contrast can hinder the scanning process.
You might create a stylish design, but if it's not functional, it serves no purpose. To ensure effective scanning of your QR code, it's best to use the correct color combination. This way, the scanner can more easily process the information.
Solution: Modify the QR code design.
Lack of QR Code Contrast
Is your QR code not scanning? Avoid mixing similar light or dark colors; otherwise, scanning could take forever or not happen at all. For instance, light colors like yellow or pastel shades are not suitable for scanning, so it's better to use darker colors on a white background.
You can be creative in your QR code design by playing with colors, but don’t compromise its readability by not creating enough contrast.
Using an advanced custom QR code generator allows making your QR code more unique. You can even add a unique logo to make it look more professional and trustworthy. Just remember: the QR code color should be dark and set against a light background.
Blurred QR Code
A QR code must be clear in quality for easier detection of the code's boundaries where its content is located. To create high-quality custom QR codes, it's best to download them in PNG or SVG format. These image formats ensure superior print quality.
Solution: Design your QR code in PNG or SVG format and adjust the resolution.
Pixelated QR Code
Have you noticed that some QR codes appear stretched and more pixelated than others? First, you need to decide on the type of QR code you want to use. You can choose between two types of QR codes: static or dynamic.
A static QR code is a type created by a free QR code generator that stores data in the code pattern. The more data you store, the tighter the dots become, compressing the code into the corner carrying the information. In this case, your QR code will be hard to read and detect.
If you have extra information to embed, it's best to use dynamic QR codes. A dynamic QR code doesn't store data directly in the code. It contains a short URL stored in the online QR code generator, redirecting end-users to the destination information after scanning; thus, avoiding overloading your codes. Codes need to be readable, and size matters for more points of view.
Solution: Use dynamic QR codes for a clearer and non-pixelated QR code.
Proper QR Code Size
The size of your QR code will depend on where you place it. This depends on your advertising environment and medium. It is recommended to display or print small-sized codes, like QR codes on construction equipment, business cards, hardware chips, small product packaging, etc., no less than 2x2 cm (0.8x0.8 inches). But, of course, when you print them on billboards, say, 20 meters (65 feet) away from where a passerby will be scanning, they probably need to be about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in diameter. If you're unsure about the size of your QR code, just print it larger to be safe and always test it.
Strategic Placement of Your QR Code
QR codes won't serve their purpose if they go unnoticed. Properly position your QR codes so your target audience can easily see them. Always place your QR code in the right position, place, or area and make sure it's not missed! Make it eye-level so the eyes of your scanners are directed right at the QR code. Also, don't forget to include a call to action within the QR code frame.
Incorrect Data Entered
Always check the data or URL you've entered. Sometimes there are minor typos in your URL that disrupt your QR code, or it might be linked to a website that no longer exists. Also, check for broken links. When creating a QR code for Squarespace, WordPress QR code, and other website redirection QR code campaigns: perform a test scan before deploying them. Scanning and rescanning your QR code campaigns before actively implementing them is always safer.
Expired QR Code
If you generate your QR code in a static form, which can be created for free, most QR code generators do not provide an unlimited number of QR code scans, and their validity will expire.
On the other hand, if you generate your QR code in a dynamic mode, always renew your subscription before it expires. A dynamic QR code requires a paid subscription, as it is an advanced type of QR code with additional features such as editing and tracking, which are not available in static form.
Invalid QR Code or Deleted or Non-Existent URL
The QR code is invalid and may have been deleted by the user, or the page it links to no longer exists, and you are redirected to a 404 error page.
Overly Customized QR Code
Customization certainly enhances your branding, but overdoing it leads to the QR code becoming invalid and unrecognizable by QR code readers. Do not widely alter the QR code data pattern. This makes them unrecognizable.
Simple customizations with QR codes, such as blending the right colors and adding unique edges, frames, and images, are enough to make them attractive while not looking scattered and all over the place. There's an axiom: "Less is more."
Consider the Distance at Which You're Scanning the QR Code
If the QR code is closer, maintain a small distance so the scanner can detect the codes. If you're scanning a QR code from a distance, such as on a billboard, get close enough to the QR code to scan it (should be within a reasonable range of distances).
Disabled QR Code Campaign
Another reason why a QR code does not work is that it may have been disabled for some reason, such as the campaign has ended or was disabled by the user.
In any case, most QR code issues can be successfully resolved by knowing a set of rules. If you decide to create an electronic business card with a QR code on our service, there will definitely be no problems with its recognition.