The free trial ends
Many services offer dynamic codes during a trial period. If it ends and you don't move to a paid plan, some of them turn off the redirect, and the printed code no longer goes where it should.
Guide · Static vs dynamic QR codes
Do QR codes expire?
No. A QR code itself never expires. A static QR code stores its content in the pattern and works forever, as long as the destination exists. A dynamic QR code goes through the provider's redirect server, and many providers switch it off when a free trial or subscription ends.
●Updated 27 Oct 2026●4-minute read
The key difference
Static vs dynamic QR codes
Once printed they look the same. What differs is where the data lives, and who you depend on to keep the code working.
| Feature | Static QR | Dynamic QR |
|---|---|---|
| Where the data lives | In the code itself: the link or text is encoded in the pattern. | On a server: the code holds a short link that redirects to the destination. |
| Can you change the destination? | No. To change it you have to generate and print a new code. | Yes, from the provider's dashboard, without reprinting. |
| Scan analytics | No. Scans don't pass through any server that could count them. | Yes: scans, dates, devices or countries, depending on the service. |
| Depends on a server? | No. It only needs the destination (website, PDF…) to exist. | Yes. If the redirect stops, the code leads nowhere. |
| Can it stop working? | Only if the destination disappears: the site closes, the link breaks or the domain expires. | Yes: if the provider turns off the redirect (trial or subscription ends, service shuts down) or if the destination disappears. |
| Best for | Permanent content: Wi-Fi, vCard, a link that won't change, long-lived print. | Campaigns, restaurant menus and materials where you want to change the destination or measure results. |
A static Wi-Fi or text QR code doesn't depend on any website: the data is inside the code and the phone reads it directly.
Why it happens
Why “free” dynamic QR codes stop working
The pattern never changes. When a dynamic QR code stops working, it is almost always for one of these reasons.
The subscription lapses
If a payment fails or you cancel, depending on the provider's terms your dynamic codes may be paused. The QR still scans, but the redirect no longer behaves as before.
The provider shuts down
If the company running the redirect closes or changes its service, the short links pointing to it can stop responding. That is out of your hands, and a printed code can't be updated.
The destination disappears
This hits static and dynamic codes alike: delete the page, move the PDF or let the domain expire, and the code leads to an error. The QR works; what fails is whatever sits behind it.
Before you print
How to make sure a QR code never stops working
1
Use static for permanent content
If the destination won't change (Wi-Fi, vCard, a stable web page), a static QR code doesn't depend on any outside service.
2
Check in writing what happens if you cancel
For a dynamic QR code, look in the provider's terms or guarantees for whether codes keep redirecting after the trial or plan ends.
3
Use your own domain
If the code points to a domain you own, you control the redirect: you can switch providers without reprinting anything.
4
Test it before printing
Scan it with two or three different phones, at the real size and in the lighting where it will be used. Catching a problem now costs far less than a full print run.
5
Keep the destination alive
Renew the domain, don't delete the page, and if you move it, leave a redirect behind. A code only lasts as long as the place it points to.
At Qmarque
How we handle it
We'll be straight about it, because it's the question we get asked most:
- Codes never expire on any plan, including Free and after you cancel: the redirect stays on.
- If a trial ends or you downgrade, what you lose is the ability to edit where dynamic codes point, never the redirect itself.
- From the Studio plan you can connect your own domain, so the redirect is yours.
- Price commitment: at most +10% a year, always with 90 days' notice.
All of this is in writing in our guarantees. What each plan includes is on the pricing page. And if you just need a code right now, try the free QR code generator.
FAQ
Common questions about QR code expiry
Do free QR codes expire?
It depends on the type. A free static QR code doesn't expire: the data is inside the code. A free dynamic QR code depends on the provider's server, and some providers turn it off when the trial ends. Before you use one, check what the service's terms say.
Can a printed QR code stop working?
The printed pattern doesn't change, but it can stop leading anywhere if the destination disappears or, for a dynamic code, if the provider stops the redirect. It can also fail for physical reasons: if it fades, gets scratched or is printed too small.
Static or dynamic for a poster, a menu or a business card?
For a business card with details that won't change, a static code (a vCard, for example) is enough and depends on no one. For a restaurant menu or a campaign poster, a dynamic code lets you change the destination without reprinting, as long as the provider guarantees the redirect stays on.
Can I change a static QR code after printing it?
No. The content is part of the pattern, so changing it means generating a new code. The exception is when the QR points to your own web page: you can change what's on that page without touching the code.
What happens to my QR codes if I cancel my subscription?
It depends on the provider: some pause dynamic codes when you cancel. At Qmarque they keep redirecting, on the Free plan too and after you cancel; what you lose is the ability to edit their destination.
How long does a QR code last?
A QR code has no expiry date. A static code works as long as the destination exists and the code is readable. A dynamic code also needs the provider to keep the redirect running.
Create QR codes that don't expire
Static or dynamic, your codes keep working even if you cancel. No card needed to get started.