Do QR Codes Expire?

Short answer: static QR codes never expire. But there’s a catch – it depends on the type of QR code. Here’s the full picture.

Static vs Dynamic QR Codes

Static QR codes: last forever

A static QR code has its content encoded directly in the pattern – the URL, text, or WiFi credentials are literally inside those black squares. There’s no server involved when someone scans it, so there’s nothing to expire, no subscription to lapse, no company that can shut it down. Every QR code generated with QRVelto is static – it will scan correctly ten years from now, as long as the destination (your link, your WiFi password) still exists.

Dynamic QR codes: it depends

A dynamic QR code contains a short redirect link hosted by a service. Scanning it hits that service first, which then forwards to your real destination. The advantage: you can change the destination later without reprinting. The risk: if you stop paying for the service – or the service shuts down – your QR code dies.

When Does a Static QR Code “Stop Working”?

The code itself never expires, but it can break if:

• The linked page is deleted. A QR code pointing to a removed URL leads nowhere.
• Your WiFi password changes. A WiFi QR code encodes the old password – generate a new one.
• It’s printed too small or damaged. Physical damage, not expiry, is the usual killer. Keep good contrast and a quiet margin around the code.

Which Should You Choose?

Static: never expires, can’t change destination later, free, best for menus, WiFi, business cards, anything permanent. Dynamic: expires when subscription/service ends, changeable destination, usually paid, best for marketing campaigns needing editability. For most everyday uses – restaurant menus, WiFi sharing, business cards – static is the right call: free, permanent, private.

FAQ

Q: Will my QRVelto QR code work in 5 years? A: Yes. It’s static – no expiry, no account needed.

Q: Can someone else’s QR code expire on me? A: If it was made with a dynamic-code service whose subscription lapsed, yes. That’s a property of the service, not of QR codes in general.

Q: Do I need to pay to keep my QR code alive? A: Not with static codes. Never.

Generate a permanent code now: Free QR Code Generator – no sign-up, no expiry.