Saturday, February 2, 2026
Do QR Codes Expire? Everything You Need to Know
Do QR Codes Expire?
Static QR codes never expire. The data is permanently encoded in the QR code pattern itself, so as long as the destination URL remains active, the code will work forever. Dynamic QR codes can expire if your subscription lapses, you hit scan limits, or the QR code provider shuts down.
The answer to whether QR codes expire depends almost entirely on which type of QR code you're using. Many people assume all QR codes work the same way, but there's a crucial difference between the two main categories. Static codes are set-it-and-forget-it—they'll work decades from now if that URL still exists. Dynamic codes are more powerful but require active management. Understanding this distinction could mean the difference between a QR code that works forever and one that stops functioning without warning.
Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which Ones Expire?
Before diving into expiration details, let's clarify the fundamental difference between these two types. Static QR codes encode data directly into the pattern with no server dependency. They never expire, can't be edited, and aren't trackable—but they're free, have unlimited scans, and are best for permanent content like URLs, WiFi passwords, and vCards. The main risk is low, especially if you own the domain.
Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, use a redirect URL managed by a provider. They can expire if subscription limits are triggered, but they're editable, fully trackable, and ideal for marketing campaigns and testing. Free tiers are available alongside paid options, though scan limits typically range from 50 to 1,000 per month. The risk is medium since they depend on the provider staying active.
Do Static QR Codes Expire?
No. A static QR code encodes data directly into the pattern. When you scan it, the scanner reads the pattern and retrieves whatever information is hardcoded—usually a URL. This data doesn't live on any server; it lives in the code itself. As long as the destination URL you pointed to still exists, your static QR code will work. Even if you don't touch it for 10 years, it'll still scan perfectly fine.
The only way a static QR code stops working is if the destination URL becomes unavailable (the website shuts down or the page is deleted). The QR code itself is eternal.
Do Dynamic QR Codes Expire?
Yes, dynamic QR codes can expire under certain conditions. Dynamic codes work differently: they're short links managed by a provider's server. When someone scans the code, they're actually scanning a short URL that redirects to your real destination. This means the provider can change where the code points, track scans, and—critically—can stop the redirect from working.
Dynamic codes expire when your free trial ends without upgrading, you hit monthly or lifetime scan limits, your account becomes inactive, the provider shuts down, or you cancel your subscription.
Why Do QR Codes Expire? 6 Common Reasons
Understanding why QR codes stop working helps you prevent it from happening to your codes.
1. Subscription or Free Trial Expired
The most common reason. Many QR code generators offer free trials with limited features, or free tiers with limitations. Once your trial ends or you hit free tier boundaries, the provider may disable your dynamic codes until you upgrade.
2. Scan Limit Reached
Free tiers often cap monthly or lifetime scans. A code generating 200 scans per month might hit a 100-scan monthly limit. Once you exceed it, the code stops redirecting until the next month or until you upgrade.
3. Destination URL Deleted or Changed
For static codes, if the URL you pointed to no longer exists (your website domain expired, the page was deleted), the code leads to a 404 error. The code itself is fine; the destination is gone.
4. Account Inactivity
Some providers disable codes after 60–90 days of account inactivity as a storage optimization measure. If your account goes silent, your dynamic codes might stop working.
5. Provider Shutdown
While rare, QR code services do occasionally shut down. If your provider goes out of business, their servers stop redirecting, and all codes on that platform become useless. This is a real risk with lesser-known startups.
6. Physical Damage
If a QR code is printed and gets damaged—torn, faded, stained—it becomes unreadable. This applies to all QR codes, static or dynamic, but it's not an expiration issue; it's physical degradation.
Do QR Codes Expire on Canva, Adobe, Bitly & Other Tools?
One of the most common questions people ask is whether QR codes from a specific tool expire. Here's what you need to know about each major platform.
Do Canva QR Codes Expire?
Canva generates static QR codes. These never expire. You can export your design with a QR code and use it forever—in print, digital, anywhere. The trade-off: you can't edit the code after creation or track scans. If you need to change where the code points, you'd need to generate a new one. Canva QR codes are great for permanent URLs like your website or portfolio.
Do Adobe Express QR Codes Expire?
Like Canva, Adobe Express generates static QR codes that never expire. Once created, they're locked and permanent. You get the same benefits and limitations: infinite lifespan, no editing, no tracking. Perfect for business cards or printed materials that won't change.
Do Bitly QR Codes Expire?
Bitly operates differently—it generates dynamic QR codes tied to shortened links. Whether a Bitly QR code expires depends on your account status. If you maintain an active Bitly account, your QR codes work indefinitely. However, Bitly has deactivated links from abandoned or inactive accounts in the past, and inactive accounts can lose access to link history and analytics. For long-term reliability, maintain your Bitly account with periodic logins or use a paid plan.
Do Google Chrome QR Codes Expire?
When you right-click a webpage in Chrome and select “Share this page,” it generates a static QR code pointing to that URL. Since it's static and encodes the URL directly, it never expires. As long as that webpage remains online, the QR code works forever. This is one of the most reliable QR code sources because it's not tied to any third-party service.
Do QR Code Monkey Codes Expire?
QR Code Monkey offers both free static codes and dynamic codes via paid plans. Free static codes never expire—they're hardcoded and permanent. Dynamic codes via their paid tiers depend on maintaining your subscription. For a reliable permanent code, stick with their free static option.
Do InDesign QR Codes Expire?
Adobe InDesign's built-in QR code feature generates static codes that never expire. Like Canva and Adobe Express, they're embedded in your design with no cloud dependency. Once you export the file, the QR code is permanent.
Do Vistaprint QR Codes Expire?
Vistaprint, a print-on-demand platform, typically generates static QR codes for printed materials. Since they're static, they don't expire. You might add a QR code to business cards or flyers, and those codes will remain functional for years. Vistaprint's concern is quality and design, not code expiration.
Do Instagram QR Codes Expire?
Instagram's profile QR code is tied to your account. As long as your Instagram account exists and is active, your QR code works. If you delete your account or go private, the QR code becomes less useful. It's not technically expiring, but its functionality depends on your account status.
How to Create a QR Code That Never Expires
If permanence is critical to your business, follow these four steps:
1. Choose a Reliable Provider
Pick established providers with strong track records. Avoid tiny startups with uncertain funding—they're acquisition or shutdown risks.
2. Use Static Codes for Permanent Content
If the destination never changes, use a static QR code. No server, no subscription, no expiration. Perfect for WiFi passwords, contact information, or your main website URL. A free QR code generator that focuses on static codes keeps things simple.
3. Use Dynamic Codes Strategically
Reserve dynamic codes for temporary campaigns or content that changes. If you need dynamic codes, choose a provider with a generous free tier so you don't accidentally exceed limits. Look for platforms offering dynamic QR codes with at least 500–1,000 monthly scans before limits kick in.
4. Own Your Destination URL
The biggest expiration risk isn't the QR code—it's the URL it points to. Own your domain. Don't point QR codes to free landing page builders or rented domains. If you control the domain, your code's destination never disappears.
What Happens When a QR Code Expires?
Different expiration scenarios create different user experiences:
Dynamic Code Expires: The user scans and sees an error page—usually a “Link not found” or “This code has been deactivated” message. From a user perspective, the code is broken. From a business perspective, you've lost the conversion opportunity and potentially confused your customer.
Static Code with Deleted URL: The code scans fine, but leads to a 404 error page. The QR code itself is functioning; the destination isn't. This is particularly problematic for print materials you can't update.
Physical Damage: A torn or heavily faded code becomes unreadable. The code is expired not because of software but because the physical artifact is degraded.
For businesses relying on QR codes for critical functions—menus, event tickets, product information—expiration is more than a technical issue. It's a customer experience failure that can damage trust and reduce engagement.
5 Best Practices to Keep Your QR Codes Working
1. Set Subscription Renewal Reminders
If you use dynamic codes, mark calendar reminders for billing dates. Most expiration happens because a payment fails or an account wasn't renewed. A simple calendar alert prevents this.
2. Test QR Codes Quarterly
Scan your QR codes every 90 days, especially ones in high-traffic locations. Catch issues before customers do. If a code leads to a deleted page, fix it immediately.
3. Use Your Own Domain for Landing Pages
Point QR codes to URLs you control, not to third-party platforms. Owning the domain ensures the destination never disappears without your action.
4. Keep Backup Copies of QR Designs
Store the original QR code files or designs. If you need to regenerate codes or switch providers, you have backups. Digital storage costs nothing; losing permanent QR codes is expensive.
5. Monitor Scan Analytics
If using dynamic codes, check analytics monthly. A sudden drop in scans might indicate the code is failing. Early detection allows you to fix issues while they're still minor.
QR Code Expiration Risks by Industry
Different industries face different expiration risks. Here's what to watch for in your field.
Restaurants & Food Services: Menu QR codes are constantly updated. Static codes pointing to outdated menus frustrate customers. Dynamic QR codes let you update menus without reprinting, but subscription lapses mean customers can't access the menu at all.
Retail & Packaging: Product QR codes on packaging that stay in inventory for months need reliability. A dynamic code expiring mid-shelf-life is catastrophic. Static codes to permanent product pages are safer.
Events & Ticketing: Event QR codes on tickets must work for the entire event duration. Dynamic codes for scanning entry are acceptable; codes for post-event access should be static or guaranteed to stay active.
Real Estate & Signage: Property signage QR codes should last for the full listing period. If tied to a listing platform, expiration happens when the listing ends. Separate static codes to property information pages are better.
Business Cards & Professional Materials: Business cards with QR codes are printed in batches and distributed over months or years. Static codes to your main website are ideal. Use a vCard QR code with a permanent link for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions About QR Code Expiration
Do QR codes expire?
Static QR codes never expire if the destination URL is active. Dynamic QR codes can expire if your subscription lapses, you exceed scan limits, or the provider shuts down.
Do Canva QR codes expire?
No. Canva generates static QR codes that never expire. They're permanent once created, though they can't be edited or tracked after generation.
Do free QR codes expire?
Static QR codes from free generators never expire. Dynamic QR codes from free tiers may expire if you exceed monthly scan limits or the free trial ends.
How long do QR codes last?
Properly created static QR codes last indefinitely. Dynamic codes last as long as your provider's service continues and your subscription remains active.
Do static QR codes expire?
No. Static QR codes encode data directly into the pattern and never expire, assuming the destination URL remains active.
Do dynamic QR codes expire?
Yes. Dynamic QR codes depend on a server to redirect to the final destination. They expire when subscriptions lapse, scan limits are reached, or the provider shuts down.
Do Bitly QR codes expire?
Bitly QR codes work as long as your Bitly account is active. Inactive or abandoned accounts risk having links deactivated.
Can I reactivate an expired QR code?
If it's a dynamic code from an active account, you may be able to renew your subscription or upgrade your plan. If the provider shut down, recovery isn't possible.
Do Google Chrome QR codes expire?
No. Chrome's built-in QR code generator creates static codes that never expire as long as the webpage remains online.
What's the difference between an expired QR code and a broken QR code?
An expired dynamic code is intentionally disabled by the provider. A broken static code is one where the destination URL no longer exists. Both don't work, but the root cause differs.
Are QR codes permanent?
Static QR codes are permanent—they're encoded patterns that last forever. Dynamic codes are only permanent if your subscription and the provider's service remain active.
How do I create a QR code that never expires?
Use a static QR code for content that never changes. Point it to a URL you own and control. For dynamic needs, use a reliable provider with a generous free tier.
Create Your QR Codes with Confidence
QR codes aren't inherently temporary. Static codes are among the most durable digital assets you can create—they outlast websites, social media accounts, and most technology trends. The expiration risk comes from dynamic codes, changing URLs, and relying on third-party services.
The path to permanent QR codes is straightforward: choose the right type (static for permanence), own your destination domain, and maintain your account if using dynamic codes. For most use cases, a simple static QR code pointing to your main website is all you need.
Create your first QR code free—static or dynamic, your codes never expire with QRKit.
