Unable to scan QR code with Surface camera

Question

I am trying to scan a QR code with the camera on my Microsoft Surface Pro 8. After opening CAMERA on the Surface I select Scan QR Code. Nothing happens! No scan. How do i get this to work??

I can scan the QR code successfully on my Android phone and 2 Android tablets.... just not on my Surface.

How do i get this to work??

Answer 1

Hello tdehan,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Usually if the camera is able to recognize the QR code, then the scan results will be generated on the screen. Here is what I tested with my Surface Pro 10:

The URL in the below the screenshot is the result of scanning the QR code, and clicking directly will jump to the page.

But in fact in testing I kept trying multiple angles and found that I couldn't get the camera too close or too far away, otherwise the camera wouldn't recognize the QR code. So try switching the camera Angle.

In addition, can you let us know where you are trying to scan the QR code? If necessary, you can share the QR code here so that I can test whether the problem is from the QR code. Of course, you can also provide us with some screenshot information so that we can verify that everything is correct.

Best Regards,

Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

I know how QR codes work. I know what to expect. As I stated, I can scan the particular QR code on my Android phone and Android tablet and the expected URL comes up. Just not on any of my 3 MS Surfaces. I've tried different angles, camera up close and far away and nothing! I can't send you the QR code as it is to a Teams Meeting for my neighborhood homeowners meeting. I don't want to broadcast that to the world...

Answer 3

Hi tdehan,

Thanks for your supplementary information, I understand the particularity of the QR code, please allow me to apologize for the unauthorized claim of letting you share the QR code without knowing the specific situation.

I shared the screenshot to prove that this feature was originally built into the Surface. If the QR code only function fails now, please allow me to recommend that you manually download and install the driver and firmware package for the Surface Pro 8:

Download Surface Pro 8 Drivers and Firmware from Official Microsoft Download Center ****

After manual installation, restart your Surface and verify that the camera's ability to scan the QR code is restored.

If the problem persists, you need to check whether the problem is from the system or from the current computer installed some application that will map the camera feature. Try creating a local account with administrator rights, and then use that account to log in and access the system. You will see a blank desktop, this is because the new account profile is enabled, please test the camera's QR code scanning function at this time:

Manage User Accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

If there is no exception at this time, it means that the previous problem may be caused by other software installed in the system. I recommend trying a clean boot which starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It can be used to determine whether a background service or program is interfering or causing a problem. 

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step.

After the clean boot is complete, check the temporarily disabled processes according to the follow-up process in the link.

But one thing that makes me very concerned is that this situation has occurred on all three of your surfaces, right? So I have to wonder if this problem is caused by the particularity of the QR code. After all, the probability that all three Surfaces will fail is not high.

Maybe the QR code is special, so it can't be recognized by the Surface camera. In order to confirm this, you can test whether these three surfaces can scan other QR codes through the camera, and if it is convenient, please share the three Surface models with us.

Best Regards,

Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist