How do I schedule, pause, or cap the number of scans on a QR code?
Updated September 14, 2026 · 3 min read · Pro and Business
Open the code, click Edit, and expand Rules & Limits on the Content step. Scan Limit switches the code off after a set number of scans; Date Schedule gives it an Activates On and an Expires On date. Both are Pro and Business features and both apply to dynamic codes only. To pause a code on any plan, archive it — that stops scans immediately and can be undone.
Which control does what you want
| What you want | Control | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Stop the code now, bring it back later | Archive / Unarchive | Any plan |
| Stop it after N scans | Scan Limit | Pro, Business |
| Start it on a future date | Date Schedule → Activates On | Pro, Business |
| Stop it on a set date | Date Schedule → Expires On | Pro, Business |
| Require a password rather than block | Password Protection | Pro, Business |
On Starter and the free trial these controls show a PRO badge with the note Upgrade to Pro to set expiry dates and scheduling. Archiving stays available on every plan.
Setting a scan limit or a schedule
- Open the code from My QR Codes and click Edit.
- On the Content step, expand Rules & Limits — the subtitle reads Scan limits, scheduling & password protection.
- For a cap, switch on Scan Limit and type a whole number in Enter maximum number of scans. The helper text explains it: QR code deactivates after this many scans.
- For dates, switch on Date Schedule and pick Activates On, Expires On, or both. Either can be left empty for an open-ended start or end.
- Click Update ✓. The rules apply from the next scan.
You can set both at once. Whichever condition is met first takes the code offline.
To lift a rule, edit the code and switch the toggle off. Switching Scan Limit off clears the number; switching Date Schedule off clears both dates.
Pausing a code on any plan
There is no separate pause button — archiving is the pause. Open the ⋮ menu on the code's row, choose Archive, and confirm: "{name}" will be archived and stop redirecting scanners. Choose Unarchive to bring it back, subject to your plan's active-code limit.
The full comparison, including what happens to scan history, is in archiving versus deleting a QR code.
What scanners see in each state
| State | Page title and message |
|---|---|
| Before Activates On | QR Code Not Yet Active — "This QR code will be available soon. Please try again later." |
| After Expires On | QR Code Expired — "This QR code is no longer active." |
| Scan limit reached | QR Code Unavailable — "This QR code has reached its maximum number of scans." |
| Archived | QR Code Unavailable — "This QR code is no longer active." |
None of these pages names you or the destination. More on the error pages is in what the QR Code Unavailable page means.
Common problems
The scan limit ran out sooner than expected
The limit is measured against recorded scans, not only the ones analytics attributes to people, so link previews and repeat hits count too. Obvious bot traffic is discarded before anything is counted. If you need headroom, edit the code and raise the number.
The code went live a day early or late
Dates are whole days, not times, so give yourself a day of margin either side of a launch.
Rules & Limits is not in the wizard
It only appears for signed-in users on dynamic codes. Static codes have no rules, because scans never reach us.
The section is there but everything is badged PRO
Your plan does not include these controls. Starter and the free trial can still archive a code to stop scans.
I want the code to keep working but limit who gets in
Use password protection instead of a limit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pause a QR code without deleting it?
Yes. Archive it. Scans stop immediately, the history is kept, and Unarchive brings it back.
What happens to scans after the limit is reached?
The code stops redirecting and shows a QR Code Unavailable page. Existing analytics stay readable.
Can I set a start date without an end date?
Yes. Fill in Activates On and leave Expires On empty, or the other way round.
Do these rules work on static codes?
No. A static code is read straight off the paper, so no rule can be applied to it.
Can I reuse a code after its expiry date passes?
Yes. Edit it, change or switch off the Date Schedule, and it starts working again at the same address.
Related articles
What is the difference between archiving and deleting a QR code?
Archiving is reversible: the code stops redirecting but keeps its scans and can be unarchived within your plan limits. Deleting is permanent, with no trash.
How do I password-protect a QR code?
Edit the code, open Rules & Limits and type a password in Password Protection. Scanners then see an unlock page before the content. Pro and Business only.
Why does my QR code show Unavailable, Expired or Not Yet Active?
The page title tells you which setting stopped the scan: archived, paused, scan limit reached, a date schedule, a lapsed plan, a password, or a safety block.
Will my QRCodeStack QR code expire or stop working?
Static codes never expire. Dynamic codes work while your plan is active and stop only if it lapses, or if you archive the code, schedule it or cap its scans.
Still stuck?
Email support@qrcodestack.com with the email on your account and, if it is about one code, its name or short link. A person replies within one business day, usually sooner.