Freaqently Asked Questions
Scanning Issues
4. Why doesn't my QR code scan?
The most common cause is low contrast in the corner squares. QR codes need a specific pattern — dark outer ring, light inner ring, dark center block — for scanners to recognize them. If you picked light or pale colors (like yellow or pastel) for the center, scanners can't lock onto the code. Stick with dark colors for the outer and center rings, and a light color for the inner ring. The same applies if your logo is too large (over 30% of the QR size) — try reducing the logo size and re-testing.
5. The QR scans on my computer but not on my phone — why?
This usually means the QR has enough information for desktop scanners (which are very forgiving) but not enough margin for phone cameras (which need a bit more contrast and quiet space around the code). Try simplifying: reduce the logo size, use higher-contrast colors, or remove customizations one at a time until it scans reliably on your phone.
6. Can I test my QR code before printing?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Always scan the QR with at least two different phones (one iPhone, one Android if possible) before sending anything to print. The "Live Preview" in the editor reflects exactly what will be downloaded, so you can test directly from your screen.
Customization
7. Can I add a logo to my QR code?
Yes, logo uploads are available on the Starter plan and above. Click the "Logo Upload" section in the editor, choose a PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG, or WebP file, and pick a shape (square, circle, rounded, or octagon). Keep your logo at 22% size or smaller — going larger can prevent the code from scanning.
8. Why are my logo controls greyed out?
Logo upload requires a Starter plan or higher. If you're on the free plan, you'll see a "Pro" badge next to the logo controls indicating an upgrade is needed. You can view plans to see what each tier includes.
9. Can I change every corner of my QR code to a different color?
The Starter plan and above unlock corner color customization for all three corners as a group (same color set applies to top-left, top-right, and bottom-left). The Enterprise plan adds individual corner colors, letting each corner be styled independently. Read the on-screen notice about contrast before picking colors — it explains why some color combinations may prevent your QR from scanning.
Saved QR Codes & Tracking
10. What's a "tracking URL" and why does my QR redirect through your site?
When you save a URL-based QR code, we generate a short tracking link (like freecustomqrcode.com/qr/abc123) and encode that into the QR instead of your direct URL. When someone scans it, they briefly hit our tracking server (which counts the scan, records the location and device type), then redirect to your destination URL. This is what powers your analytics dashboard. The redirect is fast — usually under a second.
11. Can I edit a saved QR code's destination URL?
The destination URL is locked on saved QR codes. This is intentional: if you've printed a QR code on packaging or business cards, changing its destination later would break those printed materials. You can still edit colors, logo, frame, and caption on a saved QR. To point to a different destination, create a new QR code instead.
12. What happens when I reach my plan's saved QR limit?
Your dashboard shows your current usage (e.g., "12 / 25 saved"). When you hit the limit, you can either delete older QR codes to make room or upgrade to a plan with a higher (or unlimited) save limit. Existing saved QRs continue to work normally — scans and tracking aren't affected by hitting the limit.
13. How do my analytics work — what's tracked?
When someone scans your saved QR code, we record: the scan date and time, the country/region (from IP, not precise location), the device type (mobile, tablet, desktop), and the operating system. We do not record personal information about the person scanning. You can view your analytics on the Analytics page in your dashboard.
Account & Trust
14. Will my QR code work forever?
Plain QR codes (downloaded without saving) work forever — they're just images with the URL or text encoded directly. Saved QR codes with tracking links work as long as your account is active. If you cancel your subscription, your saved tracking links will continue to redirect for at least 30 days while you decide whether to reactivate; after that, scans may stop redirecting. We'll always email before any change affects deployed QR codes.
15. Can I delete my account and data?
Yes. You can delete individual saved QR codes from your dashboard at any time. To delete your entire account and all associated data, contact us at support@freecustomqrcode.com and we'll process the request within 7 days. All your saved QR codes, customizations, and analytics will be permanently removed.