For chip failures and unreadable passports.
Passport Won't Scan or Chip Not Working?
Modern passports carry an electronic chip. When that chip fails, automated kiosks and e-gates stop working and you get routed to manual inspection, or turned away.
Quick answer
How does passport not scanning work?
A passport whose chip no longer reads is still a valid travel document in many manual-inspection situations, but it will fail automated kiosks and can cause delays or denial of boarding. Replacement is strongly recommended before international travel.
- Chip failure guidance
- Travel risk review
- Fast replacement path
Why chips fail
Bending the cover, heat, moisture, and simple manufacturing wear are the usual causes. There is no field repair.
Replacing a non-scanning passport
A malfunctioning chip is typically handled as a damaged passport, which means in-person replacement. If travel is close, this becomes an urgent case.
Related passport help
XpressPass is a private passport assistance service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of State or any other government agency. Government passport fees are separate from XpressPass service fees. Passport issuance decisions are made solely by the U.S. government.
Secure Document Uploads
Identity documents are uploaded through an encrypted customer portal, never email threads.
Transparent Pricing
Our service fee is shown separately from government fees, always.
Travel-Focused Support
Every recommendation is measured against one thing: your departure date.
Real Human Assistance
When a situation is unusual, you reach a person who handles passport cases daily.
Clear Instructions
Plain-language checklists instead of government jargon and cross-referenced forms.
Passport Not Scanning questions
You will generally be sent to manual inspection. Some countries and automated systems will not accept the document, so replacement before travel is safest.
Every passport situation has a fastest appropriate route.
Start the 2-minute check and we'll tell you which one is yours.