It can be frustrating when you go to enter an event and your Ticketmaster ticket does not have a barcode. This leaves you unable to scan your ticket, which is an essential part of gaining entry to many venues these days. There are a few potential reasons why your Ticketmaster ticket may not have a barcode printed on it.
Mobile Tickets
One of the most common reasons that Ticketmaster tickets do not have barcodes is because they are mobile tickets. Ticketmaster has transitioned many of its tickets to mobile tickets over the past few years. With mobile tickets, the barcode is displayed on your smartphone screen rather than printed on the ticket.
Mobile tickets provide a few benefits for both Ticketmaster and customers. For Ticketmaster, it reduces print and mailing costs since they don’t have to physically print and ship all tickets. It also reduces the risk of ticket fraud since the barcodes are digitally generated and connected to the purchaser’s account. For customers, mobile tickets eliminate the need to wait for tickets to arrive in the mail. It also reduces the risk of lost, stolen, or forgotten tickets.
If you purchased mobile tickets on the Ticketmaster website or app, you simply need to open up your Ticketmaster account on your smartphone when you arrive at the event. The barcode will be displayed on your screen, and the venue staff can scan it to grant you entry. Just make sure your phone is charged before heading to the event!
Print-at-Home Tickets
Another common Ticketmaster ticket format that may not have a visible barcode is print-at-home tickets. Like mobile tickets, print-at-home tickets help Ticketmaster reduce mailing costs by allowing customers to print tickets themselves at home. The barcodes are generated when the tickets are purchased and connected to the customer’s Ticketmaster account.
If you elected to receive print-at-home tickets, the barcodes may display very faintly or seem invisible when printed on plain white paper. This is often due to printer settings, ink levels, or the type of paper used. Make sure you use high-quality, white printer paper and high-quality print settings to ensure the barcode prints clearly. You can also try adjusting contrast settings on your printer if the barcode is too faint.
If you cannot get the barcode to print clearly, you can display the barcode on your smartphone screen by logging into your Ticketmaster account. Venue staff should still be able to scan it this way, even if you have a paper ticket.
Issues at the Venue
In some cases, a Ticketmaster ticket may fail to scan or register as invalid when you attempt to enter the event. There are a few potential causes of this:
- Poor internet connection – Mobile tickets require internet access to pull up your ticket barcode within the app. If the venue has poor cell service or wifi, it may fail to load.
- Incorrect ticket – Make sure you are displaying the correct ticket barcode for the event, date, and time.
- Duplicated ticket – Someone else may have already entered with your same barcode if your ticket was duplicated.
- Damaged barcode – Damage, smudging, or abnormal scanning angles can sometimes impact a barcode’s scannability.
If your ticket won’t scan, stay calm and talk to the venue staff. In most cases, they can contact Ticketmaster support to verify your ticket purchase and grant you access. Having your ticket confirmation number and order information handy can help speed up this process.
No Barcode Option Selected
When purchasing Ticketmaster tickets online or through the app, you are typically given options for how you want to receive your tickets. This includes choices like get tickets by mail, print tickets at home, use mobile tickets, etc. It’s possible your Ticketmaster ticket has no barcode if you did not select a delivery method that generates barcodes.
For example, if you chose “Get tickets by mail” but expected to receive printable electronic tickets, no barcodes would be generated. Always double check that the delivery option you select will provide you with a scannable barcode. If you realize later that your delivery option does not include barcodes, you may be able to contact Ticketmaster to re-issue the tickets with barcodes included.
Non-Barcoded Tickets
In rare cases, the event you are attending may issue non-barcoded paper tickets. This is most common with smaller venues and events. They may do this to save costs on scanners and barcode generators. The lack of barcodes requires venue staff to verify tickets manually and check for duplicates at the door.
If your ticket turns out to be a non-barcoded paper ticket, make sure you arrive early enough to allow for manual ticket checking. Bring a government-issued photo ID as well so the staff can verify your identity when they manually approve your ticket.
Counterfeit Tickets
As a final possibility, you may find yourself with no barcode on your Ticketmaster ticket if the ticket is counterfeit or fake. Fake tickets are a problem at many major concerts, sporting events, and other high-demand events. Scammers sell believable fakes to unwitting buyers, often at costs above face value.
Counterfeit tickets will almost never include working barcodes that can be scanned. The barcodes often look believable but cannot be verified as valid by Ticketmaster. If you purchased from a sketchy source and were unable to verify the ticket’s authenticity ahead of time, it may unfortunately turn out to be fake when you go to enter the venue.
When possible, only buy tickets from trusted sources like the official Ticketmaster website. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
What to Do if Your Ticketmaster Ticket Has No Barcode
If you show up to an event only to find your Ticketmaster ticket has no scannable barcode, don’t panic. Here are some tips on what to do:
- If you have mobile tickets, make sure you have internet service and that you are logged into the correct Ticketmaster account. Display your ticket barcode on your smartphone screen for the staff to scan.
- For print-at-home tickets, check that the ticket printed fully and the barcode is clearly visible. Load up your ticket in your Ticketmaster account on your smartphone if the printout doesn’t work.
- Politely speak to venue staff if your ticket won’t scan and explain the situation. They may be able to contact Ticketmaster to verify your purchase and grant you entry.
- Have your ticket confirmation number, order number, and Ticketmaster account information ready to help verify your ticket purchase if necessary.
- If your ticket ends up being counterfeit, politely explain this to venue staff and ask if they can help you obtain a legitimate ticket or refund your money.
With mobile ticketing technology, scanner problems and user errors, it’s become more common for Ticketmaster tickets to occasionally lack visible barcodes. But in most cases, you should be able to work with the venue staff to find a solution and gain entry. Being polite, patient, and prepared with your ticket information will help ensure you still make it into the event!
Tips to Avoid Ticketmaster Tickets With No Barcode
To minimize hassles for your next Ticketmaster ticketed event, keep these tips in mind:
- Double check your delivery method – When purchasing tickets, carefully select a delivery option that includes barcodes like mobile ticket delivery or print-at-home tickets.
- Print tickets correctly – If printing tickets at home, use high quality paper and printer settings. Adjust contrast if the barcode prints too faintly.
- Save ticket copies – Keep digital copies of your tickets in your Ticketmaster account as backups.
- Charge your phone – If using mobile tickets, make sure your phone is fully charged so you can display the barcode.
- Arrive early – Get to the event with extra time in case there are any barcode issues to sort out.
- Buy from trusted sources – Only purchase tickets directly through Ticketmaster or other authorized sellers.
Following these simple guidelines will help minimize the chances of ending up with unusable Ticketmaster tickets and prevent the headache of sorting out problems at the venue entrance. With digital ticketing options becoming more common, double checking your delivery method ahead of time is one of the most important things you can do when buying tickets. Enjoy the show!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printed Ticketmaster ticket have no barcode?
If your printed Ticketmaster ticket has no barcode, it likely means you selected a ticket delivery option that did not include barcodes, like “Get tickets by mail.” Only options like “Print tickets at home” or “Use mobile tickets” generate printable barcodes when purchasing tickets online.
Can Ticketmaster send me a new ticket if mine has no barcode?
Yes, if you contact Ticketmaster customer support, they may be able to reissue your ticket with a scannable barcode included. You will need to provide your order number or ticket confirmation number.
What if my ticket won’t scan at the event?
If your ticket barcode won’t scan, stay calm and talk to venue staff. They can contact Ticketmaster to verify your ticket purchase and let you enter. Be ready to show any ticket details like the confirmation number and your Ticketmaster account information.
Is my Ticketmaster ticket fake if it has no barcode?
It’s possible a Ticketmaster ticket with no barcode is fake. But it could also just be an issue with the delivery method selected. Check with the venue staff if a ticket won’t scan. They can verify if it is a valid ticket purchased through Ticketmaster or not.
Can I get a refund if my Ticketmaster ticket has no barcode?
If your Ticketmaster ticket ends up being unusable due to an error or lack of barcode, you can contact their customer service to request a refund. Have your order details ready. Refund eligibility will depend on Ticketmaster’s policies and timing.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting ticket issues at the entrance is never fun, but a Ticketmaster ticket not having a barcode is rarely cause for alarm. In most cases, the venue staff should be able to help you find a solution as long as you arrive early and have your ticket information handy. Avoiding fake tickets, double checking your delivery method ahead of time, and properly printing barcodes can help minimize headaches. With digital ticketing only growing in popularity, make sure you understand how to access your ticket barcodes before the event for smooth entry.