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Windows can connect to a Wi-Fi network from a QR code without making you type the network name or password. The built-in method uses the Camera app’s Barcode mode.
You need a working built-in camera or USB webcam. On Windows 11, QR scanning is built in. On Windows 10, the feature requires version 1803 (build 17134) or later. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so upgrading to Windows 11 is advisable where the hardware supports it.
Scan a Wi-Fi QR code with the Windows Camera app
This procedure works on supported Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Place the Wi-Fi QR code where your PC’s camera can see it. It can be printed, displayed on a phone or tablet, or shown on another monitor.
- Select Start, type Camera, and open the Camera app.
- In the Camera app, select the Barcode button on the right side. Do not leave the app in Photo mode.
- Hold the QR code in front of the camera. Keep it steady until the camera focuses and recognizes it.
- When the scan completes, select the link that appears at the bottom of the Camera window.
- Windows opens the Wi-Fi connection confirmation in Settings. Confirm that you want to add and connect to the network.
- If Windows offers the option, enable automatic connection so the PC reconnects whenever this network is in range.
A normal website QR code will open as a web link. To start the Wi-Fi connection workflow, the code must contain Wi-Fi network information such as the network name, security type, and password.
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What you need before scanning
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 | The built-in Camera barcode scanner is supported on Windows 11. |
| Windows 10 | Windows 10 version 1803 or later is required. That corresponds to build 17134 or newer. |
| Camera | A working built-in camera or connected webcam is required for the Camera app method. |
| Camera quality | Autofocus is preferable. Microsoft recommends a camera capable of at least 1920 × 1440, although a lower-resolution camera may work if the code is large and clear. |
| Correct QR format | The QR code must encode Wi-Fi connection details, not just a website address or plain text. |
Allow Camera access in Windows
If the Camera app shows a black preview or cannot use the webcam, check Windows privacy settings.
Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
- Turn on Camera access.
- Turn on Let apps access your camera.
- If the Camera app appears in the app list, make sure its access is enabled.
- Turn on Let desktop apps access your camera if Windows treats the Camera app or its required component as a desktop app.
You can also check whether Windows detects the device at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. A camera may appear under Connected cameras or Disabled cameras.
Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
- Under Allow access to the camera on this device, select Change and turn access on.
- Turn on Allow apps to access your camera.
- Turn on Allow desktop apps to access your camera.
A laptop may also have a physical privacy shutter, camera switch, or keyboard key that disables the webcam. Open the shutter or enable the camera before trying again.
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How to scan a QR code displayed on the same Windows PC
The Camera app scans through its live camera preview; it is not a general “open QR image from a file” tool. If the QR code is in an email, browser tab, PDF, or screenshot on the same PC, use one of these dependable options:
- Display the code on a phone, tablet, or second monitor and point the Windows camera at it.
- Print the QR code and scan the printed page.
- On a supported, up-to-date Windows 11 installation, try Snipping Tool. Capture the QR code, open the screenshot, select Text actions, and check whether QR detection is offered. This is a separate Windows 11 screenshot feature and should not be treated as the universal Windows 10 method.
If you use the Snipping Tool route, it may identify the encoded information rather than complete the normal Camera-app Wi-Fi confirmation. You may still need to open Wi-Fi settings and connect manually.
Fix a missing Barcode button
If the Camera app has no Barcode option, work through these checks:
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- Confirm that the Camera app is open and that you are looking at its camera controls, not a restricted Photo-only view.
- Check that Windows detects a webcam. On Windows 11, use Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
- Open the camera privacy settings and enable both app and desktop-app camera access.
- Check the laptop’s privacy shutter or hardware camera switch.
- Restart the PC and install available Windows updates.
- Open Device Manager and check whether the camera is disabled or has a driver warning.
- On Windows 10, check the version by pressing Windows key + R, entering
winver, and selecting OK. The build must be 17134 or later.
A work or school administrator can also disable camera access through device policy. If permissions appear locked, contact the organization’s IT administrator.
Fix a QR code that will not scan
| Symptom | What to try |
|---|---|
| The code is visible but not recognized | Move it closer or farther away, make it larger, hold the camera steady, and wait for autofocus. Clean the lens. |
| Glare or reflections appear | Reduce screen brightness, change the angle, remove overhead reflections, or use a printed copy. |
| The code is on a flickering display | Show it on another device or print it. Flicker and moiré patterns can prevent recognition. |
| The camera preview is black | Enable camera permissions, open the privacy shutter, close other camera-using apps, and check the camera driver. |
| The scan opens a website | The QR code is probably a web URL rather than a Wi-Fi configuration code. Ask for the network’s Wi-Fi QR code. |
| The code is accepted but connection fails | The network may require a browser login, enterprise credentials, or an authentication method not represented in the QR code. |
If another program is using the webcam, close Teams, Zoom, a browser tab with camera access, and any other video application. Camera errors 0xA00F4243 and 0xA00F4289 commonly indicate that another app or process is using the camera. Error 0x80070005 indicates an access-denied condition.
Connect manually if QR scanning fails
The QR code is only a shortcut. You can always enter the network details through Windows Wi-Fi settings.
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Windows 11
- Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon on the taskbar.
- On the Wi-Fi quick setting, select Manage Wi-Fi connections.
- Select the network name.
- Select Connect.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password and select Next.
Windows 10
- Select the network icon on the taskbar.
- Select the wireless network.
- Select Connect.
- Enter the password.
Manual setup is usually necessary for networks that use a captive portal, such as hotel or guest Wi-Fi, or enterprise authentication that requires a username, certificate, or organization-specific sign-in.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Show a saved Wi-Fi password in Windows 11
If you are sharing a network from a Windows 11 PC, you can display its saved password:
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
- Open the connected network’s Properties.
- Next to Wi-Fi network password, select Show.
For a previously saved network, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select the network, and choose Show next to Wi-Fi network password. You can then provide the password directly or use it to create a Wi-Fi QR code with a trusted tool.
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Be careful when sharing a Wi-Fi QR code: anyone who can scan it may obtain access to the network. Avoid posting codes for private networks in public places, and change the Wi-Fi password if an untrusted person has received it.
FAQ
Can Windows 11 scan a Wi-Fi QR code without installing an app?
Yes. Open the built-in Camera app, select Barcode, and hold the Wi-Fi QR code in front of the camera. Third-party scanner software is not required for the normal camera-based method.
Can Windows 10 scan Wi-Fi QR codes?
Yes, if the PC runs Windows 10 version 1803 or later (build 17134+) and has a usable built-in camera or webcam. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhy does the QR scan open a website instead of Wi-Fi settings?
The code is probably encoded as a website link or another type of QR data. It must contain Wi-Fi connection information to launch the Wi-Fi connection workflow.
Can I scan a QR code from an image on the same PC?
The Camera app’s documented workflow uses a live camera preview, so display the image on a phone, second monitor, or printed page. Some current Windows 11 versions also offer QR detection through Snipping Tool’s Text actions, but that is separate from the Camera app and is not a universal Windows 10 feature.
The Bottom Line
Use Start > Camera > Barcode, then show the Wi-Fi QR code to the webcam and select the detected link. If the Barcode button or scan is unavailable, check camera permissions, the webcam connection, Windows version, lighting, and the QR code format. For captive-portal or enterprise networks, connect through Wi-Fi settings and enter the required details manually.
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