In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the QR Code scanner not working issue on your Pixel device. Android devices behold a slew of useful and nifty Quick Settings toggle with just a sole purpose- to help us interact with that functionality quicker in a shorter time frame. In this regard, there exists a plethora of beneficial toggles, with the ability to scan QR Codes being among the latest additions.
However, with the thirteenth iteration of the OS, many Pixel users have voiced their concern that the QR Code Scanner is not working along the expected lines. Upon tapping on that toggle, all they get is a black screen with the Scan QR Code message underneath it. Till now, this issue has only been reported by Pixel users with the Snapdragon chipset, i.e. Pixel 5 and older. If you are also among the affected parties, then this guide will make you aware of numerous workarounds to rectify this bug. Follow along.
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Fix QR Code Scanner not working in Pixel
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Remove and Re-Add QR Toggle
Your first course of action should be to remove and then re-add the Quick Settings toggle. This will refresh its underlying settings and could well rectify the issue that we are currently dealing with. So do give it a try using the below-listed steps and then check out the results:
- Bring up the Quick Settings menu and tap on the Edit icon.
- Then drag and drop the QR Code Scanner to the bottom.
- Now go back to save the changes. Then again tap on Edit.
- Now drag and drop the QR Code Scanner back to the top.
- Check if QR Code Scanner is working on your Pixel or not.
FIX 2: Toggle Play Service Camera Permissions
Next up, you should disable and re-enable the camera permissions of Google Play Service and then check if it works out in your favor. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Google Play Service.
- Then go to its Permission > Camera > Ask every time.
- Now open the QR Code Scanner from the Quick Settings toggle.
- You’ll get a camera permission prompt, tap Allow.
- Check if it fixes the QR Code Scanner not working issue on Pixel.
FIX 3: Delete Google Play Service Data
You might also get bugged by this issue if the Google Play Service Data gets corrupted. Therefore, you should consider deleting its data and then letting it repopulate a fresh instance of the same from scratch. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Google Play Service.
- Then go to Storage and Cache > Clear Storage > Clear All Data.
- Now check if QR Code Scanner is working on your Pixel or not.
FIX 4: Boot to Safe Mode
In some cases, a third-party app or service might conflict with the built-in functionality of the OS. To verify if that is the case or not, you should boot your device to Safe Mode and then check out the results. Here’s how it could be done:
- Long press the Power button to bring up the Power menu.
- Then long tap on Restart and tap OK in the Safe Mode prompt.
- Check if QR Code Scanner is working in Safe Mode or not.
- If it is, then restart your device back to normal mode.
- Now uninstall the recently installed apps, one at a time, until QR Code starts working again.
FIX 5: Use QR Code Scanner via Camera
If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then tour last course of action should be to use the QR code scanner via the camera. To do so, launch Google Camera, go to Modes, and select Lens. Now bring up the camera next to the QR Code and it will bring up the associated result.
So these were the various methods to fix the QR Code scanner not working issue on your Pixel device. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers are aware of this issue, but they haven’t given out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when that happens, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.
