Do you get the error “No valid QR code detected” when you try to log in to WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp on your computer by scanning the QR code with your phone? If other tutorials did not work for you, this guide shows the method that works for me, plus a few extra fixes if you still have problems.
The short answer: do not scan the code with the QR code button in WhatsApp Settings. That scanner is the one that shows this error. Scan the code from Linked devices instead, after you log out of your old devices.
In this article
- 1. Go to Linked devices and clear them all (the real solution)
- 2. Clear your browser cache and cookies
- 3. Update your browser
- 4. Install the latest version of WhatsApp
- 5. Check your internet connection
- 6. Restart your phone and computer
- 7. Try a different browser
- 8. Reinstall WhatsApp on your phone
- 9. Link with your phone number instead of the QR code
- 10. Contact WhatsApp support
- More WhatsApp guides
1. Go to Linked devices and clear them all (the real solution)
This is the fix I show in the video, and it works for me every time.
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner and select Linked devices.
- Tap every old device in the list and select Log out.
- Tap Link a device and scan the QR code on your computer screen again.
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Linked devices. Do not use the QR code button next to your name.
- Log out of every old device in the list. If there are no devices, go to the next step.
- Tap Link a device and scan the QR code on your computer screen.
After a few seconds, your chats and messages appear on the computer.
Note: WhatsApp lets you link up to four devices at the same time, so removing devices you no longer use also frees a slot.
2. Clear your browser cache and cookies
If the method above did not work, an old cache can stop the QR code from loading properly. In Google Chrome:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. You can also click the three dots at the top right, open Settings > Privacy and security and choose the option to delete (clear) browsing data.
- Set the time range to All time (or Last 7 days).
- Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click the button to clear the data, then close and reopen the browser.
Note: Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites. For other browsers, look for the same option in their settings.
3. Update your browser
This step is really important. In Chrome, click the three dots and go to Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates and installs them. When it is done, restart the browser and try again.
4. Install the latest version of WhatsApp
Make sure you are using the latest version of WhatsApp on your phone and, if you use the desktop app, on your computer. You may have problems scanning the QR code with an old version. If WhatsApp does not update automatically, open the Google Play Store or the App Store and update it manually.
5. Check your internet connection
A weak or unstable internet connection is another common reason for the error. Make sure that both your phone and your computer are connected to a stable internet connection before you scan the QR code again.
6. Restart your phone and computer
Sometimes a simple restart solves the problem. Shut down both devices completely, turn them on again and try to scan the code once more.
7. Try a different browser
Some browsers can have problems loading the WhatsApp Web QR code. Open web.whatsapp.com in a different browser and scan the code there.
8. Reinstall WhatsApp on your phone
If nothing else works, uninstall WhatsApp completely and install it again. Be careful not to lose your chats:
- Back up your chats first in WhatsApp under Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- If your Android phone asks whether to keep the app data when you uninstall, choose to keep it. If you delete the data without a backup, you lose everything.
After you install WhatsApp again, sign in and link your computer from Linked devices as shown in step 1.
9. Link with your phone number instead of the QR code
If your phone camera still cannot read the code, WhatsApp also lets you link a device without scanning. On the WhatsApp Web page, choose the option to log in with your phone number (it is below the QR code), enter your number, then type the code that appears into WhatsApp on your phone under Linked devices > Link a device.
10. Contact WhatsApp support
If you have tried all of the steps above and still cannot scan the QR code, contact WhatsApp support. Go to the help section of the WhatsApp website, or in the app open Settings > Help, and send a support request.
