There could be multiple reasons.
Step 1: Check to see if your QR Code has an 'expiration date':
Click "Edit" on your QR Code
Go to the "Customize" tab
Scroll down to the Advanced Options section.
Step 2: Check to see if your QR Code was flagged for spam:
Uniqode maintains a blacklist of phishing URLs that is continuously updated. Whenever a website URL is linked to a QR Code created on Uniqode, the phishing URL detection framework cross-references it. It disables any QR Codes that are associated with malicious websites immediately.
If you’re receiving an email about Uniqode automatically disabling your QR Code, it means that the QR Code created in your account was leading to a malicious link. This email will also contain instructions to update the malicious URL attached to the QR Code with a valid link.
Resolving False-Positive Security Flags
If your QR code’s URL is flagged as malicious:
Identify the security vendor(s) responsible (e.g., VirusTotal, CRDF).
Submit a false-positive review to the vendor(s) using their dedicated forms or portals.
Provide your domain/URLs and justification for review.
Once cleared, use the "Recheck" option in Uniqode to update the QR code’s status.
Understanding the 'Recheck' Functionality in Uniqode
The 'Recheck' functionality in Uniqode is designed to help users resolve issues with QR codes flagged as suspicious. However, there are specific dependencies and limitations that users should be aware of to effectively use this feature.
Why Doesn’t the 'Recheck' Option Clear the Suspicious Status?
The 'Recheck' option will not clear the suspicious status on QR codes if external security vendors are still flagging your domain. These vendor flags must be removed first; otherwise, the 'Recheck' process will continue to detect the same issues that caused the QR code deactivation. It is essential to address these external flags before initiating a recheck.
Can Users Perform a Batch Recheck?
No, customers cannot perform a batch recheck of all QR codes themselves. This process requires intervention from internal teams. Once sufficient evidence is provided to show that the vendor flags have been cleared, the internal team will process the unblocking. This ensures that the recheck is thorough and accurate.
How Are Recheck Results Communicated?
Users will not receive an email notification when a recheck is completed. Instead, the status messages will appear in the upper-right corner of the Uniqode dashboard after the recheck is triggered. This allows users to quickly view the results directly within the application.
Note: Any account found creating phishing QR Codes repeatedly will be disabled and deleted at the discretion of the Uniqode team.
Step 3: Recovering Deleted or Inactive QR Codes If a QR code was deleted:
Navigate to the Trash section under the QR Codes tab in Uniqode.
Use Filters to search by QR Name or QR Link (e.g., the short URL encoded in the QR code).
Locate the QR code and click "Restore."
If you only have the printed QR or its destination URL:
Go to the Trash view in Uniqode.
Use Filters to search by QR Name or paste the full URL from the printed/scanned code.
Restore the QR code from the results.
Step 4: Addressing Network-Related QR Code Errors If QR codes show errors like "server not found" or "broken link":
Disable any active VPN and test again.
Switch networks (e.g., from Wi-Fi to mobile data) to isolate the issue.
Restart your router to refresh the connection.
Ensure your network or security software isn’t blocking the domain (e.g., "uniqode.io").
Step 5: Resolving URL Redirection and Update Issues When a QR code’s domain is changed, previously distributed QR images may stop working:
Option 1: Revert the domain to the original one used by the distributed QR images.
Option 2: Redistribute updated QR images with the new domain. Ensure the QR’s domain matches the encoded URL in distributed images.
Scanned QR codes may append a uq parameter for tracking, causing errors if blocked by your website’s security settings:
Update your Web Application Firewall (WAF) or security rules to allow unexpected query parameters like
uq.No changes are needed to the QR codes themselves.
Learn more about URL-based phishing detection for safer QR Codes. For further assistance, contact Uniqode support if the issue persists.