Systems and methods for enhanced fault tolerance for a radio frequency identification (RFID) phased array antenna are provided. The systems include a RFID reader that includes (i) a phased array antenna having N antenna elements; and (ii) a controller operatively connected to the phased array antenna. The controller is configured to (1) monitor a characteristic for each antenna element of a set of the N antenna elements; (2) based on the characteristic, detect a fault of a faulty antenna element of the set of the N antenna elements; and (3) responsive to detecting the fault of the faulty antenna element of the set of the N antenna elements, adjust a parameter of at least one other antenna element of the N antenna elements, wherein the parameter is a weight applied to a signal that is transmitted to or received at an antenna element.