The Most Common QR Code Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
QR codes feel simple. You generate one, print it and people scan it - right?
In reality, most QR code failures come from small, avoidable mistakes. A recent Reddit discussion surfaced the same problems again and again, often from people who learned the hard way.
Here’s a practical breakdown of the most common QR code mistakes - and what to do instead.
Using “Free” QR Generators That Expire Later
This is by far the most painful mistake.
Many online QR generators advertise themselves as free, but they quietly convert your print asset into a dynamic code that they control.
The catch shows up later: payment is required to keep the code active, the link gets redirected through their servers or the code is disabled when a trial ends - usually after you’ve already printed thousands of flyers, menus or posters.
What usually happens
- Codes are secretly created as dynamic redirects.
- A subscription is required to keep scans active.
- Trials expire and the code simply stops working.
Better approach
- Use static QR codes whenever possible.
- Generate QR codes locally or with tools that don’t control your destination.
- If you need analytics, own the redirect and host it on your domain.
- Treat printed codes as permanent and independent from third parties.
QR Codes Inside PDFs (With No Clickable Link)
This one frustrates users instantly.
If someone opens a PDF on their phone and sees a QR code, that code is useless. They would need a second device to scan what’s already on their screen.
Plenty of people simply give up. They were already where you needed them - you just didn’t give them a tappable link.
Why it fails
- Users can’t scan a QR code that lives inside the same device.
- They need a second phone (which most people won’t bother with).
- The flow breaks instantly, so conversions drop to zero.
Better approach
- Always include a clickable URL next to any QR code in digital files.
- Treat QR codes as optional shortcuts, not the only path forward.
- If it’s digital, make it tappable.
Poor Contrast and Color Choices
QR scanners rely on contrast more than aesthetics.
Inverted colors, low-contrast palettes and overly stylized dot patterns might look brand-friendly, but they confuse scanners.
The failure usually shows up in the real world: low light, cheap phone cameras, older devices or busy backgrounds undo even the prettiest code.
Common issues include
- Light QR code on a dark background.
- Low contrast corporate palettes.
- Stylized dots that reduce readability.
Fails especially in
- Low light
- Older devices
- Phones with scratched lenses
Rule of thumb
- Dark foreground on a light background.
- High contrast beats visual flair every time.
- Test on multiple phones before publishing.
Logos That Are Too Big
Yes, QR codes support error correction. No, that doesn’t mean you should push it.
Oversized logos eat into the code’s readability. They worsen once the code is scratched, sunlight reflects on glossy surfaces or screens dim down.
Sure, error correction is there, but it’s a safety net - not an excuse to block critical modules.
Better approach
- Keep logos small and centered.
- Never cover finder patterns or quiet zones.
- Assume real-world wear and tear will happen.
- Treat error correction as a backup, not a design pass.
Ignoring the Quiet Zone (White Border)
QR codes need empty space around them to be detected correctly.
Crop too tightly or place codes on noisy backgrounds and scanners will struggle to detect the edges.
This is one of the simplest fixes: respect the required padding and stop placing QR codes directly on top of photography.
Fix
- Always leave enough empty space around the QR code - the white border should be at least four small QR squares thick on every side.
- Avoid busy textures or imagery directly behind the code.
- Let the code breathe - whitespace boosts scan rates.
Placing QR Codes on Glossy or Reflective Surfaces
Gloss kills scans.
Phone screens, laminated posters and glossy menu boards all reflect light. Add overhead lighting or sunshine and the camera can’t lock onto the code.
Reflections and glare break camera detection, especially on budget phones or scratched lenses.
Common problem spots
- Phone screens and tablets at events.
- Laminated or acrylic signage.
- Bright digital displays with auto-brightness turned down.
Best practices
- Use matte print surfaces or anti-glare laminates.
- Boost brightness on displays and test under real lighting conditions.
- Stand where the user would stand and try scanning yourself.
Making QR Codes Too Small (Or Expecting Long-Distance Scans)
QR codes are not magic.
Tiny codes on posters meant to be scanned from afar simply don’t work. Neither do pixelated exports that get stretched beyond their resolution.
Multiple QR codes placed too close together also confuse scanners - they can’t tell which code to lock on.
Mistakes include
- Pocket-sized codes on billboards or stage screens.
- Low-resolution exports that get scaled up.
- Multiple codes sitting inches apart.
Guideline
- Size QR codes based on expected scanning distance (roughly 2.5 cm wide for every 30 cm of distance).
- Export high-resolution vector (svg) or 300 DPI files for print.
- Give each QR code breathing room so cameras can focus.
Believing QR Codes “Do” Something
A surprising number of people think QR codes track users or execute logic by default.
A QR code simply encodes data - usually a URL. Everything else happens at the destination or in your backend.
Tracking, analytics, lead capture or automation all live on your side. The code is just the doorway.
Reality check
- A QR code is text. Nothing more.
- Behavior comes from the destination, not the code itself.
- If you want intelligence, build it into the landing page or app.
Letting Third Parties Sit Between the User and Your Website
Every extra hop increases latency, failure points and dependency risk.
Many generators route QR scans through their own domain before forwarding visitors to yours. That means your conversion path depends on someone else staying solvent.
If that service changes pricing, throttles traffic or disappears, your QR codes stop working overnight.
This adds
- Latency
- Failure points
- Another business model between you and your visitor
Better
- Point QR codes directly to a URL you own.
- If you need tracking, do it on your domain (subdomain redirects, server logs, analytics tags).
- Own every part of the path after the scan.
Final Takeaway
Most QR code problems aren’t technical - they’re process mistakes.
A QR code should be boring, reliable and invisible. If people notice it because it fails, it’s already too late.
Before printing or publishing, run through a quick gut-check:
- Will this still work in two years?
- What happens if the service between the scan and my site disappears?
- Can this be scanned easily in real-world lighting and distances?
- Is there a fallback if scanning fails (URL, NFC, short link)?