Why Your Free QR Code Stopped Working
Rescuing your marketing from the "Free Trial Trap" and ensuring your digital connections never die again.
"I printed 10,000 flyers and now the QR code is broken." We hear this every single day. If your QR code suddenly points to an expiration page, you haven't been hacked—you've been targeted by a business model designed to hold your traffic hostage.
The "Free Trial Trap" Business Model
Most "free" QR generators on the first page of Google aren't charities. They are high-conversion sales funnels. They allow you to create a Dynamic QR Code for free because they know that once you print it, you are locked in.
Once your code reaches a certain age (usually 14 days) or a certain number of scans (usually 50-100), the generator switches the destination URL to their own pricing page.
The Technical Truth: How Redirects Work
When you scan a Dynamic QR code, you aren't going directly to your website. You are going to the generator's server first. Their server then looks up your "Short Link" and decides where to send you.
If you stop paying their monthly "rent," the generator turns off the bridge. Your printed QR code is now a bridge to nowhere.
Three Ways They Kill Your Traffic
Scan Limits
The code deactivates automatically after it hits a secret scan ceiling.
Time Bombs
Internal timers disable the redirect after a short "introductory" period ends.
Subscription Hooks
You are forced into a $20-40/month subscription just to keep your link alive.
How to Spot a "Trap" Generator Before You Print
Don't wait for your code to fail. If you're currently using a generator, look for these Red Flags:
No Account Required
If you can make a dynamic code without an email, they are tracking you by IP and will lock the code later.
The '0$' Price Tag
Dynamic QR hosting costs money (servers). If it's $0, they are planning to charge you later.
Generic Domains
If the scanner shows a link like 'qr-code.me/xxxx', you are at their mercy.
Vague 'Unlimited' Claims
Some sites say 'Unlimited' but in the fine print, they limit the number of active codes.
The Real Math: Renting vs. Owning
| Feature | Monthly Subscription | Lifetime Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Expiration | Locked on cancellation | Never |
| Total Scans | Limited / Tiered | Unlimited |
| 3-Year Cost | $1,080 ($30/mo) | One-Time Payment |
The "Before You Print" 5-Point Safety Check
Why Paying the Generator is a Bad Idea
When your code stops working, your first instinct might be to pay their monthly fee to "get it back." This is exactly what they want.
Once you start paying that subscription, you are renting your own traffic. If you stop paying next year, the code will break again. You'll be in the same position, having spent hundreds of dollars and still having no control over your own marketing.
Permanent Recovery Plan
Immediate Fix: Pay for 1 month to reactivate the printed codes and save your current campaign.
Switch to Lifetime: Create your future dynamic codes with Lifetime QR Codes where you own the server bridge forever.
Custom Branding: Use your own domain (e.g., qr.yourbrand.com) so that even if a provider vanishes, you still own the link.
Don't let a broken link
break your business.
Move your marketing to a platform built for stability. One-time payment, zero maintenance, and total ownership.