8 min read
Why won’t my QR code scan? Causes and fixes
A QR code that looks clear on screen can fail after resizing or printing. Check the whole pattern, surrounding margin, contrast, size and destination.
Check the printed pattern
Keep the code square and unblurred. Ensure the full symbol and its quiet zone are visible. Dark modules on a light background are generally easier to scan than inverted colours.
A small code with dense content may have modules too fine for the printer or material. Increase its size or shorten what it stores.
Check the setting
Try an even surface, better light, less glare, and a camera held steadily at a comfortable distance. Glossy finishes, folds and curved packaging can distort the pattern.
If you added a logo, remove it temporarily. If the plain version scans, make the logo smaller or choose a better correction setting, then test again.
Check the final destination
If the code decodes but the phone action fails, the encoded text may be malformed or the destination may be unavailable. Decode it and inspect the actual link or structured data.
Test the final exported file and a physical sample, not only the generator preview.
In short: Change one thing at a time and retest the final-size print on an ordinary phone.