If you’ve ever wondered “what breaks RFID tags?”, you’re not the only one. RFID tags and fobs are built to last, but like most electronic components, they’re not indestructible. In today’s blog post, we’ll go over what can actually damage or break an RFID tag, so you’ll know what to avoid — especially if you use RFID fobs for building or apartment access.
Short answer
RFID tags can be broken by physical damage, water or chemical exposure, extreme heat, and strong electromagnetic interference. Each of these factors can harm the chip or antenna
Common reasons RFID tags stop working
Physical damage
The most common cause of failure. Bending, crushing, or dropping an RFID fob too hard can crack the small copper antenna or chip inside.
Even small cracks can stop the fob from responding to readers.
Water or moisture exposure
Many RFID tags are sealed, but not all are waterproof. Submerging or washing them can allow moisture inside, leading to corrosion of the chip or antenna.
This is especially risky for older or worn fobs with cracked casings. For more related information, you can also read our blog entry “Are Apartment Key Fobs Waterproof?“
Extreme temperatures
High heat (like leaving a fob in a car on a hot summer day) can warp the plastic casing or weaken the solder connections inside.
Freezing cold can also make the casing brittle and easier to crack.
Strong magnetic or electrical fields
RFID tags rely on electromagnetic signals to communicate. A very strong magnetic field or continuous interference from certain machines can sometimes damage the internal coil – check our our article “Can a Magnet Really Deactivate a Key Fob?” if you’d like to know more about it.
This is rare in everyday use but can happen near industrial equipment or MRI machines.
Poor manufacturing or aging
Low-quality or older tags can naturally degrade over time. The thin copper wiring can oxidize, or the chip might fail after years of daily use.inside, which stops the tag from being read by a scanner.
How to know if it’s broken
- The tag or fob stops responding completely.
- It only works at a very close distance or intermittently.
- The casing feels loose, cracked, or warped.
In most cases, once an RFID tag’s internal antenna or chip is damaged, it can’t be repaired — replacement or duplication from a working fob is the only solution.
Related reading
If you want to learn how to protect your RFID fob from theft or damage, check out our related article:
👉 How to Protect Your Key Fob from Theft
And if you already have a working fob, we can make a backup copy within minutes at MiniFob
— that way you’re covered if one ever stops working.
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