Refresh a WhatsApp QR code in Franz
Fix WhatsApp QR code refresh problems in Franz by renewing the code, checking your phone connection, and removing stale linked desktop devices.
Back to SupportWhatsApp in Franz uses WhatsApp Web's own linked-device flow. Franz shows the QR code, and WhatsApp on your phone approves the desktop session.
Load a fresh QR code
If the QR code expires before you scan it, reload the WhatsApp service in Franz and wait for a fresh code. Then open WhatsApp on your phone, go to linked devices, and scan the new code.
Do not keep trying an old screenshot or an already-used code. WhatsApp QR codes are short-lived by design, so a fresh code is the normal fix.
Keep your phone online during setup
Keep your phone online while the session is being created. WhatsApp still uses the phone to approve the connection, so airplane mode, a weak mobile signal, or a background-restricted WhatsApp app can keep the desktop session from finishing. Open WhatsApp on the phone once, confirm it can send and receive messages, then scan again.
If the phone asks you to unlock WhatsApp, confirm the action there before returning to Franz. The desktop session will not complete until WhatsApp accepts the link on the phone.
Remove stale linked devices
If Franz keeps showing an old or already-used code, remove the stale desktop entry from WhatsApp on your phone. In WhatsApp, open linked devices, sign out the old Franz or browser session, then reload the service in Franz and scan the new code.
This also helps when WhatsApp says there are too many linked devices or when the old desktop session appears connected but never loads messages.
Avoid broad cache resets first
Avoid clearing the whole Franz cache as a first step. Reloading the WhatsApp service and unlinking the stale WhatsApp device usually fixes QR refresh issues without signing you out of other services.
Once linked, WhatsApp can stay beside Telegram, Gmail, Slack, and other services in one Franz window.