By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Safety first
Before checking anything, switch off the gate’s power. Keep children and vehicles clear. Do not open the control board or adjust force settings unless you are trained — force settings are a safety function. The checks below are the simple ones any owner can do.
Problem and likely causes
| Problem | Likely causes | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Gate does not move at all | No power, tripped breaker, dead battery, control board fault | Breaker, power light on the board, try manual operation |
| Remote does not work | Remote battery, remote deleted, receiver issue | Replace remote battery; try another remote |
| Works from close range only | Weak remote battery, antenna damaged or obstructed | Remote battery; antenna wire on the control box |
| Opens but will not close | Photocell blocked or misaligned | Clean photocell lenses, check nothing is in the beam, check alignment |
| Stops or reverses halfway | Obstruction, stiff gate, force set too low, safety edge triggered | Clear the track; move the gate by hand to feel stiffness |
| Moves slowly or struggles | Worn rollers, dirty track, low battery, sagging gate | Move by hand with the motor released |
| Motor hums but gate does not move | Gate jammed, capacitor fault, motor in manual-release mode | Check the release lever is locked; check for jams |
| Gate opens by itself | Remote button stuck, faulty loop detector, interference | Remove remote batteries one at a time; call a technician |
| Stops at the wrong point | Limit switches or magnets moved | Technician to reset limits |
Photocells cause most “won’t close” calls
If the gate opens but refuses to close, or reverses as it starts closing, the photocells are the first suspect. Spider webs, dust, a parked vehicle, plants growing into the beam, or a knocked post can block or misalign them. Clean the lenses with a soft cloth and check that both units face each other.
How gate safety sensors work →After a power cut
Some controllers need a full cycle to relearn positions after power returns, and the first movement may be slow. If the gate was released for manual use, it must be locked back to motor mode before it will move. A dead backup battery is the most common reason a gate fails during an outage.
Opening a gate in a power cut →Monsoon-related faults
Most of these are prevented by sealed enclosures, drainage, surge protection and a pre-monsoon service.
- Water in the control box causing erratic behaviour or a dead board.
- Photocells misted or flooded, preventing closing.
- Underground motor boxes filled with water.
- Rust on rack, rollers and hinges making the gate stiff.
- Lightning surges damaging boards and receivers.
When to call a technician
- Any fault on the control board, motor or wiring.
- Force or limit adjustments.
- Damaged rack, bent track, broken hinge or arm.
- The gate moves without a command.
- Water in the motor or control box.
Repair or replace the motor?
Control boards, capacitors, remotes and photocells are usually worth replacing. If the motor itself is undersized for the gate, has failed repeatedly, or spares are no longer available for an old model, replacing it with a correctly sized operator is usually better value than repeated repairs.
Quick answers
Why does my automatic gate open but not close?+
Most often the photocells are blocked, dirty or misaligned. Clean and align them, and make sure nothing is in the beam.
Why does the gate stop halfway?+
An obstruction, a stiff gate, a triggered safety edge or a low force setting. Check the track and move the gate by hand with the motor released.
Can I reprogram my remote myself?+
Many receivers allow pairing with a button sequence described in the manual. If unsure, a technician can pair it in minutes.
Do you repair gates you did not install?+
Yes. We service most common brands and can advise when replacement makes more sense than repair.
Why does my gate stop working after heavy rain?+
Water in the control box, wet photocells or a flooded underground motor are the usual causes. Switch off power and call a technician.
Why does the gate work with the remote but not the keypad?+
The keypad may have a flat battery, a wiring fault or a changed code. Check the keypad battery first.