The check-in process sets the tone for your entire event. Long queues and fumbling with guest lists create frustration before your event even begins. QR code scanning changes this — a quick scan, a green checkmark, and your guest walks in. Three seconds, done.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up QR code check-in for your WordPress events without installing any apps. Everything runs in the browser on any smartphone.
The concept is simple. When someone buys a ticket through your WooCommerce store, they receive a unique QR code — in their order confirmation email and on their downloadable ticket. At the event, your staff scans this QR code using their phone’s camera through a web-based scanner. The system validates the ticket in real time and marks it as used.
If someone tries to use the same ticket twice, the scanner immediately shows a warning. No duplicate entries. No manual cross-referencing. No paper lists.
Install Event Tickets with Ticket Scanner from the WordPress plugin repository. The QR code scanner is included in the free version — you don’t need Premium for this.
Under Event Tickets → Authorizations, create accounts for your door staff. Each person gets their own username and password. This way, you can track who scanned what, and you can revoke access instantly if needed.
You can create as many scanner accounts as you need. For small events, one or two scanners at the entrance is enough. For larger events, you might have scanners at multiple entrances, VIP areas, or individual sessions.
Create a test order, generate the ticket, and scan it. The scanner page is a dedicated URL on your WordPress site that your staff opens on their phone. Point the camera at the QR code, and the system responds instantly with either a green confirmation (valid ticket) or a red warning (already used, invalid, or not found).
Make sure your staff knows what each response means before event day. Run through a few test scenarios: valid ticket, already-scanned ticket, and an invalid QR code (like a random QR from the internet).
Your check-in staff needs three things: a smartphone with a camera, an internet connection, and the scanner URL bookmarked or saved as a home screen shortcut.
The scanner works in any modern mobile browser — Safari, Chrome, Firefox. No app installation means no compatibility issues, no app store approvals, and no “I can’t find the app” delays on event day.
Internet connectivity: The scanner needs an internet connection to validate tickets against your database. For venues with unreliable WiFi, consider a mobile hotspot as backup. If you’re running events in areas with genuinely no connectivity, the Premium version offers offline fallback options.
Screen brightness: QR codes on phone screens can be hard to scan if the screen is dim. Ask attendees to turn up their brightness before reaching the scanner. Or better yet, encourage them to print their tickets — printed QR codes scan faster than screens.
Lighting conditions: The camera needs enough light to read the QR code. At evening events, make sure the scanning area is well-lit. A simple desk lamp at the entrance can make the difference between smooth scanning and frustrated queues.
Multiple entry points: For events with more than 100 attendees, consider having at least two scanning stations. This prevents bottlenecks and keeps the line moving. Each scanner account works independently, so multiple staff members can scan simultaneously without conflicts.
Multi-entry tickets: If you’re selling passes that allow re-entry (like festival wristbands or gym memberships), configure the ticket to allow multiple scans. The system will track how many times a ticket has been scanned without blocking re-entry.
After purchasing a ticket, attendees receive an email with their ticket number and a QR code. They can also download their ticket as a PDF (or a branded PDF if you use Premium). At the event, they simply show the QR code on their phone or printed ticket.
The experience is seamless — no account creation required, no separate app to download, no complicated process. Buy ticket, get QR code, show at door. That’s it.
Every scan is logged with a timestamp and the scanner account that performed it. After the event, you can see exactly how many attendees actually showed up (versus tickets sold), what time they arrived, and which entrance they used. This data is valuable for planning future events.
The check-in overview is available in your WordPress admin under Event Tickets. You can export the data for analysis or use it to send post-event follow-up emails only to people who actually attended.
QR code check-in is free with Event Tickets with Ticket Scanner. Install it, set up your scanner accounts, and run a test. You’ll wonder how you ever managed check-in without it.