Why Does My Electric Gate Not Work? How To Fix

An electric gate is a convenient and secure way to enter and exit your property. However, there may be times when the gate fails to operate properly. This can be frustrating and may even prevent you from accessing your own home. In this article, we will explore some common reasons why an electric gate may not work and provide possible solutions for getting it back up and running.

Common electric gate issues and how to solve them

1. Malfunctioning safety sensors and photocells –

The gate does not work properly when its sensors get blocked.A pair of photocells are used for gate operation, which has an infrared beam running between them.

When this beam gets obstructed by any means, the gate stops wherever it was, to avoid closing the gate on people, pets, vehicles or anything that comes in the way.

This issue is generally caused by the misalignment of safety sensors or photocells, or some insects or cobwebs blocking the IR beam.

Solution

• Checking the photocells is the first task one should do whenever the electric gates start giving way.
• The problem will get resolved as soon as the area is cleaned and checked for any kind of obstructions.
• In the same way, a blocked safety sensor won’t let the gate open unless cleaned of the obstructions it is brushing upon.

2. Noisy door movement –

The obstructions in the track of the electric gate are the major cause of the unusual sound.

Obstacles like small plants, sticks, pebbles, dirt, etc. serve the purpose of blocking the rails of the gate.

The debris might even cause the gate to jerk and stop midway.

Solution

• To avoid this problem, one should maintain a regular clean-up schedule for the electric gate mechanism and the track and rail on which the gate slides, should be timely serviced upon.
• Sometimes this problem is caused due to ragged components of the electric gate system like the rollers, bolts or hinges.
• If such an issue is suspected, you should call up a technician to assess the condition and replace the parts that are damaged.

3. Delay or inability in moving –

These issues are usually caused by extreme temperatures, especially cold weather.

The metals tend to contract as the temperature falls.

And this property of metals, which is everywhere in the electric gates, leads to the delay in operation of the door or complete jamming of the door.

Also, the layer of grease inside the system begins to thicken, thus causing immobility of the gate and increasing resistance to moving of the gate.

Solution

• To avoid such a scenario, one can use lower temperatures-specific grease for the rollers and ball bearings of the mechanism so that they operate swiftly even in the cold season.

4. Battery problems –

The cold weather has an equally adverse impact on the batteries of the controlling unit of the electric gate, and those in the remote controllers too.

As the cold spikes up, the batteries present in the battery box of the gate are unable to initiate the electrochemical reaction which is required for the completion of the circuit, thus leading to non-operation of the gate.

Solution

• A useful method to test and correct this issue on the primary level is to first disconnect the power supply, plug out the connecting wires from the battery box, and then clean the ends of the wires and the battery terminals.
• If the problem persists, you might need to contact a professional!

5. Being stuck in the manual mode –

An electric gate has a built-in manual operation mechanism, which helps to operate it in the cases of electricity failure. Though sometimes, the gate gets stuck in the manual mode on its own, usually around the time when the gate requires maintenance.

Solution:

This issue needs technical assistance from a professional since it is not a DIY task. Handling it on your own might be risky and could lead to even more damage.

6. The safety edge is brushing against something

Safety edges of the gates are very sensitive areas and need to be taken care of. Any object interfering with the safety edges of the gate will stop the gate. These objects include grasses, wind, sticks or twigs, dirt, dust, etc.

Solution:

You can use a fine brush to clean out any dirt or twigs that might be stuck into the edges of the gate. It would be beneficial for you to clean your edges now and then, especially after high-speed winds and storms.

7. The track or rail is dirty, too worn, or obstructed.

Blowing pieces of plastics or pebbles can cause the gate to stop working. Sometimes, a lot of dirt, dry leaves and pebbles get stuck in the tracks of the gate and cause obstructions.

Solution:

• Check out for the train and the track to look for any accumulated dirt
• Check for any damages done or possible damages
• Check if you find dirt accumulated on the tracks.
• Clean the tracks at regular time intervals
• Take out the pebbles or any other stuck objects
• If the track is broken, try to mend it if possible
• If not, or if you are not that confident in your skills, then maybe you should seek technical help

8. Cold weather

Low temperature can make the gates work slow or stop working altogether. This is because of the metal contraction that is quite common in lower temperatures. Lower temperatures also cause the grease to thicken. The batteries installed in the gates tend to stop working in lower temperatures.

Solution:

Change the adaptability of the batteries that you are using. Use grease that can withstand lower temperatures. Make sure your gate is regularly oiled.

9. Faulty remote control

Remote-operated gates sometimes stop working if there is some defect in the remote control. The most common issue with the remote is the battery discharge or your remote is broken.

Solution:

• Change the batteries at regular intervals
• If the batteries of your remote are working fine then you might need to replace the remote

10. Pest Invasion

The gates work on the principle of sensors. The gates fail to operate if their sensors are blocked. If any pest, bug or insect that might have settled on your gate tamper with its working mechanism by blocking the sensors.

Solution:

• Check the train and tracks of your gates and make sure that there are no pest infestations
• You need to remove the bugs or insects either by manual methods or with the help of a bug spray.
• Also, keep an eye for moss growth in the wet season as it practically calls for pest invasion.

How Do You Manually Override An Electric Gate?

• Usually, the tools required to change the location of the gate are provided by the manufacturing company itself
• Shut off the power of your house
• Disconnect the chain if you have a sliding-type gate
• Disconnect the gate alarm if you have a swing gate
• Check for any dust that might be accumulated
• Use lubricant around the hinges
• Check for the bent wheels and replace them if you find any.

Why Does My Electric Gate Open By Itself?

• If there are no mechanical problems with your gate then maybe it is facing electrical issues
• The gates require both AC and DC currents
• Your gate will stop working slowly and gradually after a power cut
• Examine the power cables and check for the battery life
• If the opening and closing of the gates are not as they should, then maybe the frequencies are clashing with some other garage door in the nearby area.
• Sometimes, your Wi-Fi can also hinder the frequencies so take a note of that.

Final Talk

The electric gate is a great implementation of modern technology, assembled in a perfect way to ensure maximized safety and easy operation. Though, this can be done properly by a professional only. Thus, in case of multiple issues, one must take technical assistance, instead of trying one’s hand to a greater extent than necessary, else this wonderful tool might result in a danger!