Skip to main content

Troubleshooting: food scanner not working

D
Written by Daniil Zinenko

Symptoms

  • Error scanning with camera

  • Wrong food or calories recognized

  • App crashes during scan

  • Paywall appears (free limit reached)

  • Barcode not recognized

  • Duplicated entries

  • Entries disappear after saving

  • App asks to subscribe again

Step 1 — Check your subscription

Many scanner features require Welmi Pro. The free plan allows only 1 meal per day.

  • iPhone: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Welmi

  • Android: Google Play → Subscriptions → Welmi

If your subscription is active but the app does not recognize it, skip to Step 5.

Step 2 — Check your internet connection

AI-powered scanning requires a connection to our servers. Try the following:

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

  • Disable any VPN or ad-blocker apps.

  • Try again with a stable connection.

Step 3 — Restart the app

Close the app fully (swipe it away from the app switcher) and reopen it. If the problem persists, wait 30-60 minutes — the issue may be a temporary server disruption on our side.

Step 4 — Update the app

Make sure you are running the latest version of Welmi. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and install any available updates.

Step 5 — Restore your purchase

If you have an active subscription but the app does not recognize it:

  1. Open the app.

  2. Go through the onboarding/paywall screen.

  3. Tap the Restore button on the pricing screen.

  4. Do not start a new trial or purchase a new subscription.

For detailed instructions see Restore your purchase.

Step 6 — Contact support

If none of the steps above resolved your issue, please contact us and include:

  • A screenshot of the error message

  • Your subscription status (active/expired/none)

  • Device type and OS version

  • App version (found in app settings)

Tips for better food recognition

  • Use good, even lighting — avoid dark or backlit environments.

  • Center the food in the frame.

  • Remove clutter and other items from the background.

  • For barcodes, hold the phone straight-on and close to the label.

Frequently asked questions

Wrong calories displayed. AI recognition is an estimation. If the values seem off, tap the entry and edit the calories or portion size manually.

Can I add food without using the camera? Yes. Use the search bar, voice input, or pick from your favorites — all available from the logging screen.

Is there a daily scan limit? Free plan: 1 meal per day. Pro plan: unlimited meals, with approximately 25 AI-powered recognitions per day (server-side limit).

I bought the AI Bundle but still cannot scan. The AI Bundle is a separate product and does not include Welmi Pro features. A Pro subscription is required for unlimited scanning.

My entries disappear after I save them. This is usually caused by an unstable internet connection. Make sure you have a reliable connection when logging food, and update to the latest version of Welmi.

Does family sharing work with Welmi Pro? No. Each family member needs their own subscription.

How do I log tea or coffee? Add them as food items in any meal slot (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks).

The nutritional data for a product is wrong. You can edit values manually after logging. If the product data is incorrect in our database, please report it to [email protected] so we can update it.

The weight shown for my food is wrong. AI estimates portion weight automatically. You can adjust the weight manually after scanning.

Important notes

  • AI recognition is less accurate for regional dishes and homemade meals. Always verify values before saving.

  • Our global product database is continuously improving — update the app regularly to benefit from the latest data.

  • The "burned calories" setting in your profile affects your daily calorie targets. Make sure it is configured correctly.

Did this answer your question?