If a scanner can’t find your pet’s microchip, don’t jump to the conclusion that the chip is broken. Sometimes, the scanner is moved too fast, the chip has shifted, or the scanner just isn’t the right type for that chip.
Usually, the first thing to try is scanning the animal again, but more carefully.
In this guide
- Start by scanning the entire animal
- Try using a different scanner
- Can a microchip stop working?
- What if the microchip really has failed?
- What if two microchips are found?
- Travelling with a pet whose microchip can’t be read
- If you’ve found an animal with an unreadable chip
- In short
Start by scanning the entire animal
Microchips are usually put between the shoulder blades, but sometimes they move from where they were first placed.
Over time, microchips can move under the skin. So, if you only scan the usual spot, you might miss a chip that’s still working fine.
Move the scanner slowly over the animal, checking the neck, shoulders, chest, and the rest of the body if needed.
It also helps to scan from different angles.
If you still don’t find anything, try scanning again instead of assuming there’s no chip.
Try using a different scanner
Not all scanners can read every kind of microchip.
Most modern European pet microchips follow international ISO standards, but older or rare chips might work differently.
If one scanner can’t find the chip, try another one. A universal scanner is best, as it can help you figure out if the issue is with the chip or the scanner.
This is especially important if the animal was microchipped a long time ago or in a different country.
Can a microchip stop working?
Yes, but it doesn’t happen often.
A pet microchip doesn’t have a battery and never needs charging. It stays inactive until a compatible scanner passes over it and gives it the energy to send its ID number.
There are only a few parts that could stop working.
Still, a microchip can sometimes become unreadable or stop working right. If several scans with the right equipment can’t find a chip that should be there, your vet can look into it further.
Sometimes, an X-ray can help find the chip inside the animal.
What if the microchip really has failed?
If your vet finds that the old microchip can’t be read anymore, your pet needs a new chip.
What matters most comes next.
Make sure the new microchip number is registered properly.
If you can, update your pet’s records to show there was an old microchip and include its number. This is especially important for vet records, ownership papers, and travel documents.
Don’t just put in a new chip and ignore the old registration.
What if two microchips are found?
This can happen sometimes.
An animal might get a second microchip if the first one couldn’t be found or read at the time. Sometimes, the original chip is found later on.
If you find two working chips, it doesn’t always mean there’s a problem.
Record both numbers and check that all registrations are up to date.
We cover this situation separately in our guide Can a Pet Have Two Microchips?
Travelling with a pet whose microchip can’t be read
In this case, don’t wait to fix the problem.
Microchip identification is a key part of international pet travel. The chip number is linked to documents like the pet passport and rabies vaccination record.
If your pet’s chip can’t be read before a trip, talk to your vet before getting a new chip or changing any documents.
The order you do identification, vaccination, and paperwork can matter for pet travel rules.
Our Pet Travel: Microchip Checks Before You Go guide explains what to check before travelling.
If you’ve found an animal with an unreadable chip
Don’t assume too quickly that the animal doesn’t have a microchip.
Ask a vet, rescue group, or another place with the right equipment to scan the animal carefully. If you can, try a second scanner too.
If you do find a number but don’t know where the chip is registered, that’s a separate issue.
You can enter the number into the free ChipTrace microchip lookup to help figure out where to look next.
In short
If a pet’s microchip can’t be read:
- Scan the whole animal slowly, not just between the shoulders.
- Scan again from different angles.
- Try a different compatible or universal scanner.
- If you know a chip is there but still can’t find it, ask your vet to check.
- If the chip has stopped working, make sure any new chip is registered correctly and your pet’s records are updated.
Just because a scan doesn’t find a chip doesn’t mean it’s missing. Sometimes, you just need to locate it.
Useful links
European Commission – Travelling with a pet within the EU
GOV.UK – Pet travel: microchips and what happens if one cannot be read
EUR-Lex – EU technical requirements for dog, cat and ferret microchips