WhatsApp Web QR Code Not Working? Try These 13 Fixes

If WhatsApp Web QR code is not working, the problem may be experienced in multiple ways:

By Victor Ashiedu | Updated July 15, 2022 | 16 minutes read | 10 Reads

1. The QR code on your PC may not load
2. The QR code loads but you cannot scan it on your phone
3. In some phones, when you scan the code, you may not be able to tap the “OK, got it” button

If the WhatsApp Web QR code is not working, try one of the fixes. Each of the solutions may fix the problem. Try the solutions in order. The guide now has an FAQ section!

1. Scan with Built-In WhatsApp QR Scanner

I decided to add this fix and move it to the top because our research shows that some users try to scan WhatsApp web QR code with another QR code scanner app on their smartphone.

If you try this, the WhatsApp web QR code will not work!

If you have been trying to scan WhatsApp QR code with a different app – other than WhatsApp built-in QR code scanner – follow the steps in our guide – How to Connect WhatsApp Web (link opens in a new browser tab).

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Once you confirmed that you are doing it right but the WhatsApp web QR code is still not scanning, try one of the methods below…

2. Some Phones with Smaller Displays May Not Work

To stop readers with smaller-screen phones wasting their time reading through this guide, this fix comes next.

Some users with a phone display of 4 inches or less may not be able to scan WhatsApp web QR code. This is according to a solution submitted by a user in this Android.stackexchange.com thread.

Specifically, if you try to scan the WhatsApp web QR code with such small screens, you may not be able to tap the “OK, got it” button.

The stackexchange.com thread also confirms that some Sony Xperia phones with small displays have shown this error.

3. Check that Your Phone is Connected to the Internet

If WhatsApp Web QR code is not working (specifically, if the QR code is loaded on your computer but you cannot scan it on your phone), it is possible that your phone is not connected to the internet.

One quick way to check whether your phone is connected to the internet is to open a browser on your phone and visit a website. If your phone is connected to the internet but you still cannot scan the QR code, restart your phone and try again.

However, if you confirm that your phone is connected to the internet but the WhatsApp web QR code scanning is still not working, try the next suggested fix.

4. Log out from All Devices on WhatsApp

My next suggested fix for WhatsApp Web QR code not working is to log out from all browsers. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Open WhatsApp app on your phone. Then for the Android app, on the top right tap the 3 dots. If you use iPhone, on the bottom right of the app, tap Settings.

2. Then, for the Android app, tap WhatsApp Web. However, for the iPhone App, tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop.

3. Finally, tap Log out from all devices. Once you have done this, try scanning WhatsApp QR code again.

5. Clear WhatsApp Cache on Android

If you log WhatsApp out of all devices but find that the Web QR code is still not working, my next recommendation is to clear your phone’s cache. This option is only available for Android devices.

Like most apps on Android, the WhatsApp app has the option to clear the app’s cache. Doing this may fix the QR code not scanning problem.

Follow the steps below to clear WhatsApp cache on an Android phone:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Then, on the Settings app locate and tap Apps.

3. From the list of Apps, locate WhatsApp and tap it.

4. Then, on the WhatsApp settings, tap Storage.

5. Finally, on the bottom right of Storage, tap Clear cache. Then, restart your phone and try scanning WhatsApp web QR code.

6. Reset Your Phone’s Network Setting

Another method to fix the WhatsApp Web QR Code if it is not working is to reset the network on your phone.

If you use an Android phone, follow the steps in – How to reset your network settings on an Android to fix connection issues and speed up your internet (link opens in a new browser tab).

Alternatively, for iPhone users, follow the steps in – If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t connect to a Wi-Fi network (step 7).

7. Turn off WiFi and Scan with 3G

I know that this may sound ridiculous! However, as ridiculous as it may sound, some users have confirmed that they fixed this problem by turning off Wi-Fi.

If you have been trying to scan WhatsApp web QR code with your phone connected to a Wi-Fi, try the following steps:

1. Disable Wi-Fi on your phone
2. Scan WhatsApp web QR code with 3G
3. Finally, once you have connected your WhatsApp to your computer, re-enable Wi-Fi on your phone.

WhatsApp web QR code still not working? Try the next fix…

8. if Your Use Chrome, Disable Hardware Acceleration

Based on a reply to this Reddit thread, disabling “Hardware Acceleration” fixed the WhatsApp web QR code scanning problem for some users. You can try this fix as well.

To disable “Hardware Acceleration” in Chrome:

1. Click the Chrome menu (3 vertical dots on the top right of the browser). Then, from the displayed options, click Settings.

2. When Chrome Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.

2. Then, scroll down and on the Systems section and uncheck the checkbox beside “Use hardware acceleration when available”.

3. Finally, close and reopen Chrome. Then, try re-scanning WhatsApp web QR code. If it is still not working, try the next fix.

9. Clean Your Phone’s Camera Lens

Your phone uses the camera to scan QR codes – including WhatsApp QR code. If the lens is dirty or covered with something, it may not be able to scan QR codes.

To clean the camera’s lens, use a dry ear bud to wipe it. You may also use a clean fiber cloth – the type used to clean sunglasses.

If you believe the lens is very dirty, try the tips shared in this guide – How to Clean Phone Camera Lens (link opens in a new browser tab).

10. Clear Computer Browser Cookies

If WhatsApp Web QR code is not working, the first fix is to clear the browser cookies on your computer. If you use Google Chrome, use the steps in – Clear cache & cookies.

However, if you use Firefox, use the steps in Clear cookies and site data in Firefox.

11. Disable Browser Extensions

If at this stage, the WhatsApp web QR code is still not working for you, it may be time to disable some browser extensions. According to one contributor to this Android.stackexchange.com thread, some browser extensions are known to stop WhatsApp web QR code scanning.

Specifically, if you have an extension like Dark Reader that turns your browser into night-mode, disabling the extension may fix the WhatsApp web QR code problem.

To be on the safe side, I will suggest disabling all extensions on your browser and try scanning the WhatsApp web QR code again.

Here are quick steps to access extensions in the 3 major browsers:

1. Open Extensions on Chrome: Click the menu on the top right (the 3 vertical dots) -> More tools -> Extensions
2. Additionally, to open extensions (called add-ons in Firefox): Click the menu on the top right (the 3 horizontal lines) -> Add-ons
3. Finally, to open extensions in the new Microsoft Edge: Click the menu on the top right (the 3 horizontal dots) -> Extensions

12. Update Your Browser

WhatsApp Web QR code is still not working? Check whether your browser has the latest update. Follow the steps in – Update Google Chrome – to update Chrome.

However, if you use Firefox, follow the steps in – Update Firefox to the latest release – to update Firefox.

13. Switch to a Different Browser

After trying the suggested fixes above, if in the unlikely event that WhatsApp Web QR code is still not working, switch to a different browser on your computer.

For example, if you initially use Google Chrome, try opening Web.WhatsApp.com on Firefox or Microsoft Edge. Then, try scanning the QR code again. If trying another browser does not solve the problem, restart your computer and try again.

However, none of the suggested fixes worked for you, kindly get in touch using the “Leave a Reply” form at the end of this page.

Finally, the next section answers some frequently asked questions about WhatsApp Web QR Code not working or scanning. You may find some of the answers helpful.

WhatsApp Web QR Code Not Working: Frequently Asked Question

This section answers the frequently asked questions regarding WhatsApp Web QR code.

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