QR Code Expiry Dates: When and How to Use Them

QR codes do not expire by default — but sometimes you want them to. Time-limited promotions, single-use discount codes, event access controls, and seasonal campaigns all benefit from a QR code that stops working after a specific date. Here is everything you need to know about QR code expiry dates and how to use them.

Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes never expire. They encode the destination URL directly and will work as long as that URL is live. There is no server involved, no renewal, no expiry.

Dynamic QR codes can have an optional expiry date — but only if the platform you use supports it. QRPulse Pro lets you set an expiry date on any code. When that date passes, the QR code stops redirecting and can optionally send scanners to a fallback URL of your choice.

When to use a QR code expiry date

• Limited-time promotions — a 20% discount QR code that expires on Black Friday prevents post-campaign misuse
• Event access — a QR code on an event ticket that stops working after the event date
• Seasonal menus — set the summer menu QR to expire in September, then update to autumn content
• Campaign testing — if you are A/B testing two campaigns, expire the losing one and redirect to the winner
• Product launches — set a teaser QR code to expire and redirect to the full product page on launch day

Expiry with a fallback URL

The most powerful use of QR code expiry is pairing it with a fallback URL. Instead of an expired code leading to a dead end, you configure where scanners go after expiry:

• A post-event recording page (for an event QR code)
• A “promotion has ended” page with a consolation offer
• The next season's campaign landing page
• Your main product page as a neutral catch-all

This ensures every scan — even after expiry — still drives a useful action.

How to set a QR code expiry date in QRPulse

QR code expiry is a Pro feature in QRPulse. When creating or editing a QR code, you will see an “Expiry Settings” section. Toggle it on, choose a date, and optionally enter a fallback URL. The code will automatically stop redirecting to the primary destination on that date, and begin redirecting to your fallback URL instead.

You can still view all historical analytics for an expired code — the scan data is retained and searchable in your dashboard.

What happens when someone scans an expired QR code?

The printed pattern itself never stops being scannable — a camera will always read it. What changes is where the redirect sends people. With QRPulse, an expired code sends scanners to a dedicated expiry page (or your fallback URL), which politely explains the offer has ended instead of showing a broken link. Without a proper expiry feature, people improvise by deleting the destination page — and every scan then hits a 404, which reflects badly on the brand.

Expiry vs deactivation vs deletion

These three get confused constantly, and choosing the wrong one can kill a working campaign:

• Expiry — automatic, scheduled in advance. The code works normally until the date you chose, then redirects to the fallback. Best for campaigns with a known end date.
• Deactivation — manual and instant, but reversible. Toggle a code off and every scan stops redirecting; toggle it back on and it works again. Best for pausing a campaign or reacting to a mistake.
• Deletion — permanent. The short link dies and any printed copies become dead ends forever. Only delete codes that were never printed or shared.

Why did my free QR code stop working?

If a QR code you made with a free generator suddenly stopped working, it almost certainly was not a technical expiry — it was a business model. Many QR platforms create dynamic codes on their free trial, then disable the redirects when the trial ends, effectively holding your printed codes hostage until you pay. This is the most common reason people search “do QR codes expire” in a panic.

Two ways to protect yourself: use a truly static code when you never need to change the destination (it can never be turned off by anyone), or use a dynamic platform whose free tier is actually free forever. QRPulse's free plan keeps your dynamic codes redirecting indefinitely — expiry only happens when you schedule it.

How long do printed QR codes physically last?

The pattern itself has no shelf life, but print does. Outdoor stickers fade in direct sunlight within 1–2 years; laminated indoor table cards last for many years. Because QR codes tolerate up to 30% damage (Level H error correction), a lightly scratched or faded code usually still scans. If a code will live outside, print it larger than the minimum 2×2 cm and re-test it seasonally — and use a dynamic code so a reprint is only ever a cosmetic decision, not a broken-campaign emergency.

Need expiry dates on your QR codes? Upgrade to QRPulse Pro at $2/month. See all features on the pricing page.