How to Create a Wi-Fi QR Code
To make a Wi-Fi QR code, enter your network name (SSID), password and security type into a generator, then download the code and display it where guests sit. Scanning it shows a one-tap prompt to join — no password typing. The whole process takes under a minute; you can do it right here.
Updated June 20, 2026
Step by step
- Find your exact network name (SSID). Copy it from your router or phone's Wi-Fi settings — capitalisation matters.
- Enter the password and choose the security type. Pick WPA/WPA2 unless you have a reason not to.
- Generate and download. Use PNG for printing or SVG for signage that needs to scale.
- Test before you print a batch. Open your phone camera, point it at the code, and confirm the join prompt appears.
- Display it well. Put it where people sit — table tent, fridge, welcome card — with a short "Scan to join Wi-Fi" label.
The four reasons a Wi-Fi QR code won't scan
1. Wrong security type
This is the #1 cause. If the code says WEP but your router is WPA2 (or vice-versa), the join fails silently. Match it exactly.
2. SSID typo or wrong case
"HomeWiFi" and "homewifi" are treated as different networks. Copy-paste the SSID rather than retyping it.
3. Printed too small or low-contrast
Keep the printed code at least 2 × 2 cm, dark-on-light, with quiet space around it. Avoid printing it over a busy photo.
4. Special characters in the password
Characters like ;, ,, : and \ must be escaped. A good generator handles this automatically — Qrogo does — but hand-built code strings often break here.
A note on changing passwords
A Wi-Fi QR code is static: the password is baked in. If you rotate your password regularly, you'll regenerate the code each time. For more on that trade-off, see static vs dynamic QR codes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a Wi-Fi QR code?
No. iPhone (iOS 11+) and Android (10+) recognise Wi-Fi codes in the native camera and show a 'Join network' prompt. Older phones may need a QR scanner app.
Can guests see my password from the code?
Technically the password is encoded in the code, so anyone who scans it can join. Display it only where you'd already share the password, and don't post it publicly online.
Why does my Wi-Fi QR code say 'unable to join'?
Almost always a mismatch in the security type (WPA vs WEP) or a typo in the SSID (it's case-sensitive). Re-check both and regenerate.