WhatsApp Web is a convenient way to use WhatsApp on your computer without having to reach for your phone. However, to access WhatsApp Web, you need to scan a QR code on your browser using your phone’s camera. Sometimes, this process can fail due to various reasons, such as poor internet connection, camera issues, browser problems, or outdated apps.
In this article, we will show you five ways to fix WhatsApp Web unable to scan QR code in 2023.Don’t worry, though. There are some simple ways to fix this problem and enjoy using WhatsApp Web on your computer.
Table of Contents
What is WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp Web is a way to use WhatsApp on your computer without having to use your phone. It is a browser-based application that syncs your messages and calls between your phone and computer. You can access WhatsApp Web by scanning a QR code on your browser using your phone’s camera. You can also download WhatsApp Desktop, an app that you can install on your computer, to use WhatsApp Web.
WhatsApp Web offers the same features as your phone like a text, voice, and video messages, calls, media sharing, emojis, stickers, GIFs, and more. It requires a strong internet connection on both devices, proximity, updated browser, and WhatsApp app. Log out anytime from phone or computer.
5 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Web Unable to Scan QR Code
- Check Your Internet Connection
- Check Your Phone’s Camera and Screen
- Reload the QR Code
- Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies
- Update Your Browser and WhatsApp App
1. Check Your Internet Connection

One of the most common reasons why WhatsApp Web QR code does not work is because of a weak or unstable internet connection. Both your phone and your computer need to have a good internet connection to scan the QR code and sync your messages. If your internet connection is slow or intermittent, you may see an error message saying “Phone not connected” or “Computer not connected” on WhatsApp Web.
To fix this, make sure that both your phone and your computer are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or have enough mobile data. You can also try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone or restarting your router or modem if you are using Wi-Fi. You can also check your internet speed using online tools like Speedtest or Fast.
2. Check Your Phone’s Camera and Screen

Another possible reason why WhatsApp Web QR code does not scan is because of a problem with your phone’s camera or screen. If your camera lens is dirty or damaged, it may not be able to capture the QR code clearly. Similarly, if your screen is cracked or smudged, it may affect the visibility of the QR code on your browser.
To fix this, make sure that your camera lens and screen are clean and free of any dust, dirt, fingerprints, or scratches. You can use a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth to gently wipe them. You can also try adjusting the brightness of your screen or zooming in or out of the QR code on your browser to make it easier to scan.
3. Reload the QR Code

Sometimes, WhatsApp Web QR code may not scan because it has expired or become invalid. WhatsApp Web QR code changes every few seconds for security reasons, so you need to scan it quickly before it expires. If you take too long to scan the QR code or if you refresh the page, you may see an error message saying “No valid QR code detected” or “QR code expired” on WhatsApp Web.
To fix this, you need to reload the QR code by clicking on the circular arrow icon next to it on your browser. Alternatively, you can reload the entire page by pressing F5 on your keyboard or clicking on the refresh button on your browser. Make sure that you scan the new QR code as soon as it appears on your screen.
4. Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies
Another possible reason why WhatsApp Web QR code does not scan is because of a problem with your browser’s cache and cookies. Cache and cookies are temporary files that store information about your browsing history and preferences. However, they can also cause issues if they become corrupted or outdated, such as preventing WhatsApp Web from loading properly or displaying the QR code.
To fix this, you need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies by following these steps:

- For Google Chrome, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Settings. Then, click on Privacy and security in the left sidebar and select Clear browsing data. Choose a time range (such as All time) and check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Then, click on Clear data.

- For Mozilla Firefox, click on the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Options. Then, click on Privacy & Security in the left sidebar and select Cookies and Site Data. Click on Clear Data and check the boxes for Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content. Then, click on Clear.

- For Microsoft Edge, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Settings. Then, click on Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar and select Choose what to clear under Clear browsing data. Choose a time range (such as All time) and check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Then, click on Clear now.
- After clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, reload WhatsApp Web and try scanning the QR code again.
5. Update Your Browser and WhatsApp App
Another possible reason why WhatsApp Web QR code does not scan is because of an outdated browser or WhatsApp app. WhatsApp Web requires the latest version of your browser and WhatsApp app to function properly and securely. If you are using an older version of your browser or WhatsApp app, you may encounter compatibility issues or bugs that prevent WhatsApp Web from working correctly.
To fix this, you need to update your browser and WhatsApp app to the latest version by following these steps:
- For Google Chrome, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if available. You may need to restart your browser to apply the changes.



- For Mozilla Firefox, click on the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Help > About Firefox. Firefox will automatically check for updates and install them if available. You may need to restart your browser to apply the changes.
- For Microsoft Edge, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Settings. Then, click on About Microsoft Edge in the left sidebar. Edge will automatically check for updates and install them if available. You may need to restart your browser to apply the changes.

- For WhatsApp app, Check the version number of your app and compare it with the latest version available on the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store. If there is a newer version available, update your app by following the instructions on the screen.
- Reload WhatsApp Web and try scanning the QR code again after updating your browser and WhatsApp app.To make whatsapp web active, complete all of these steps. To use WhatsApp’s new functionality, click here to learn more about WhatsApp Video Messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Scan QR Code for WhatsApp Web?
To scan QR code for WhatsApp Web, you need to open WhatsApp Web on your computer’s browser and open WhatsApp on your phone. Then, go to Settings > Linked Devices (for iOS) or Menu > Linked Devices (for Android) and tap on Link a Device. Align the QR code on your screen with your phone’s camera and wait for it to scan.
How do I Unlink Devices from WhatsApp Web?
To unlink devices from WhatsApp Web, you need to open WhatsApp on your phone and go to Settings > Linked Devices (for iOS) or Menu > Linked Devices (for Android). You will see a list of devices that are linked to your WhatsApp account. Tap on any device that you want to unlink and select Log out.
How do I Enable or Disable Notifications for WhatsApp Web?
To enable or disable notifications for WhatsApp Web, you need to open WhatsApp Web on your computer’s browser and click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen. Then, select Notifications and check or uncheck the boxes for Sounds, Desktop Alerts, or Show Previews according to your preference.
How do I Use Dark Mode for WhatsApp Web?
To use dark mode for WhatsApp Web, you need to open WhatsApp Web on your computer’s browser and click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen. Then, select Theme and choose Dark from the options.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Web is a great way to use WhatsApp on your computer without having to use your phone. However, sometimes, you may face problems with scanning the QR code on your browser using your phone’s camera. This can be due to various reasons, such as poor internet connection, camera issues, browser problems, or outdated apps.
In this article, we have shown you five ways to fix WhatsApp Web unable to scan QR code in 2023. We hope that these methods help you resolve the issue and enjoy using WhatsApp Web on your computer.