Why eTIMS QR code not showing happens
eTIMS QR code not showing is not random. It comes from one of a few specific causes, and once you know which one you are looking at, the fix is straightforward. Here is how the problem usually shows up first:
- Receipts print but with no QR code at the bottom
- A blank space where the QR code should be
- It can affect every receipt or only the ones issued during a network drop
Match what you are seeing to the closest description above, then work through the fixes below in order, starting with the most common.
eTIMS QR code not showing is rarely random; match the symptom to the cause and the fix is usually minutes away.
How to fix eTIMS QR code not showing
Work through these in order. Most businesses resolve it at step one or two, without contacting KRA.
- 1
Confirm the invoice actually transmitted
The QR code is generated once KRA confirms the invoice and returns a control number. If the invoice is still pending or failed to transmit, there is no QR code yet. Resend any pending invoices; once confirmed, the QR code appears.
- 2
Check the receipt template settings
Some systems have a setting that controls whether the QR code prints. If transmission is fine but the code still does not show, confirm the receipt layout or template has the QR code element switched on.
- 3
Check the printer and paper
A thermal printer that is low on quality, dirty or printing too light can fail to render the QR code clearly. Clean the head, replace the roll, and set the print density high enough that the code is sharp and scannable.
- 4
Reissue once confirmed
For invoices that were issued offline and only later confirmed, reprint the receipt after the sync so it carries the QR code that was generated on confirmation.
What not to do
Do not hand over a receipt as final if the QR code is missing because of a failed transmission
Without confirmation the sale is not yet recorded. Resolve the transmission first, then reprint.
Do not assume the system is broken
A missing QR code is almost always a pending transmission or a print setting, not a fault in eTIMS.
A worked example
A cafe in Nairobi noticed some receipts had a QR code and some did not. Staff worried the eTIMS setup was unreliable.
The pattern matched the network: receipts issued while the Wi-Fi was down had no QR code because those invoices had not yet reached KRA. Once the connection returned and the invoices synced, reprinting them produced receipts with the QR code in place.
The fix was to record sales offline and reprint after sync, so every customer who needed a verified receipt got one with the QR code.
Trading without eTIMS-compliant tax invoices risks KRA penalties, blocked VAT input claims for your customers, and receipts a business buyer cannot expense.
Veira signs every sale to KRA eTIMS automatically, so each receipt is compliant the moment it prints, with no separate device to reconcile.
How Veira keeps this from happening
Veira handles eTIMS natively at the point of sale, so the conditions that cause eTIMS QR code not showing are managed for you. It validates the invoice before it is sent, records sales offline when the network drops and transmits them to KRA when the connection returns, and keeps your KRA details in order so the common causes never arise.
When something does need attention, Veira flags it in plain language with the next step, and local support is on hand rather than a queue. See how Veira works and book a free demo. It runs from KES 2,999 a month with a free terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no QR code on my eTIMS receipt?
Does a receipt without a QR code count?
How do I get the QR code to print again?
Can a customer verify a receipt without the QR code?
Does Veira always print the QR code?
eTIMS QR code not showing is almost always one of a few known causes, each with a quick fix, so do not panic if you hit it during a sale. Work through the steps above, and if you would rather not deal with eTIMS errors at all, Veira handles compliance natively so most never happen. See how Veira works and book a free demo. Always confirm current KRA processes at kra.go.ke, as rules can change.