The “No Valid QR Code Detected” error message on WhatsApp indicates that the QR code you are trying to scan is invalid or corrupted. This error typically shows up when you are trying to link a new device to your WhatsApp account by scanning the QR code.
Some common reasons why you may get this error include:
- The QR code image is blurry, distorted, or partially obscured
- The QR code has expired
- There is an issue with your phone’s camera or scanner
- The QR code is for a different WhatsApp account
Fortunately, there are a few things you can try to resolve the “No Valid QR Code Detected” error on WhatsApp.
Check the QR Code Image
The first thing to check is the QR code image itself. The QR code image needs to be clearly visible and legible for WhatsApp to scan it properly. Here are some tips for ensuring the image is valid:
- Make sure the image is not blurry, distorted, or cut off in any way.
- Try viewing it on the device of the person who generated the code to rule out transfer issues.
- Enlarge the image size if it’s too small.
- Print out a physical copy of the QR code if you are having trouble with a digital image.
- Check that both devices are steady when trying to scan the code.
A clear, crisp QR code image is essential for WhatsApp to detect and read it correctly. If the image itself seems corrupted or invalid, you will need to regenerate the QR code on the linked device.
Make Sure the QR Code Has Not Expired
WhatsApp’s QR codes for linking devices have an expiration time of about 10 minutes. If the code has expired before you can scan it, you will get the “No Valid QR Code Detected” message.
To fix this, you need to refresh the QR code on the device you are trying to link:
- On the new device, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap on “Link a Device”.
- WhatsApp will generate a fresh QR code.
Once you have the new QR code, try scanning it again within 10 minutes. This should resolve any expired QR code errors.
Check for Issues With Your Camera/Scanner
Sometimes the “No Valid QR Code Detected” error stems from problems with your phone’s camera or scanner, preventing it from properly reading QR codes. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Clean your camera lens to remove any dust, dirt, or smudges that could interfere with focus and scanning.
- Make sure your camera app has permission to access the phone’s camera.
- Check that your phone’s autofocus and scanning functions are working normally in other apps.
- Try restarting your phone to clear out any glitches.
- Use a QR code scanning app if your phone’s default scanner has issues.
If the camera seems to work normally otherwise, then there may be deeper issues at play. You can try scanning the code on a different device or have your phone checked out if the problem persists.
Confirm It’s the Correct QR Code
Each WhatsApp QR code is tied to a specific account and device pairing. Scanning someone else’s QR code will result in the “No Valid QR Code Detected” error.
To fix this:
- Make sure the QR code was generated on the device you are trying to link.
- Double check that you are scanning the correct QR code for your account.
- Generate a new QR code on the proper device to scan.
Essentially, confirm the provenance of the QR code before scanning to avoid mismatches. You need the QR code from your own account, not someone else’s.
Generate a New QR Code
If you’ve triple checked the image, confirmed the code is still valid, and scanned it with multiple devices, generating a brand new QR code is the next logical troubleshooting step.
- On the device you want to link, open WhatsApp and go to Linked Devices in Settings.
- Tap on “Link a Device”.
- A new QR code will appear on screen. Make sure to scan this quickly before it expires.
Sometimes an older QR code gets corrupted or invalidated for unknown reasons. Creating a fresh one essentially gives you a clean slate for linking.
Update WhatsApp
Having an outdated version of WhatsApp can also cause QR code linking problems. Make sure both devices have the latest version of WhatsApp installed:
- On Android, go to Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and check for WhatsApp updates.
- On iPhone, go to App Store, tap your profile icon, and check for WhatsApp updates.
Updating to the newest version can resolve bugs and glitches that may be interfering with QR code scanning.
Use Different Lighting Conditions
The lighting when you scan a QR code can also impact whether it is detected properly. Here are some lighting tips:
- Move to a well-lit area with bright, even lighting.
- Avoid scanning in dim, dark or uneven lighting conditions.
- Turn on your phone’s flashlight to illuminate the QR code.
- Reduce glare if scanning in bright, direct sunlight.
Proper illumination gives your camera the best chance of accurately registering the QR code. Natural daylight often works best.
Restart Your Phone
A simple restart can clear out any minor glitches that may be interfering with scanning:
- Power down your phone completely.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Boot your phone back up.
- Open WhatsApp and try scanning the QR code again.
Restarting your device resets the phone’s memory and clears out any processes that may be acting buggy in the background. This can resolve a wide range of issues.
Factory Reset as Last Resort
If all else fails, performing a factory reset on your phone can get rid of any deeper problems:
- Back up important data first.
- Reset your device to factory default settings.
- Set up your device from scratch.
- Install WhatsApp and try linking again.
A factory reset will wipe your phone completely clean, which should eliminate any problematic software issues. Only attempt this if you cannot resolve the problem through any other steps.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If your phone still won’t scan a QR code even after trying all troubleshooting steps, your best bet is to contact WhatsApp directly:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Help > Contact Us to get in touch with support.
- Explain your QR code linking issue and troubleshooting attempts.
- Provide details like your phone model, WhatsApp version, and error specifics.
WhatsApp can investigate technical issues on their backend that may be causing the problem. Their support team may be able to provide specialized troubleshooting tips as well.
Conclusion
The “No Valid QR Code Detected” message on WhatsApp simply indicates the QR code scan has failed. Typical fixes include checking the QR image quality, refreshing expired codes, switching devices, updating WhatsApp, adjusting lighting, factory resetting your phone, and contacting WhatsApp support if needed. With the right troubleshooting, you should be able to successfully link devices through QR code scanning.
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Blurry/distorted QR code image | Generate a new clean QR code |
| Expired QR code | Refresh the QR code |
| Camera/scanner issues | Clean lens, restart phone, use different device |
| Wrong QR code | Scan your account’s QR code |
| Outdated WhatsApp version | Update WhatsApp |
| Poor lighting conditions | Move to well-lit area, use phone flashlight |
| Unresolved issues | Factory reset device, contact WhatsApp support |