Why Don’t My Electric Gate Remotes Work?
One of the most common questions we get asked is: ‘Why don’t my electric gate remotes work?’
There are a number of common problems that the gate transmitter (gate remote, gate fob, gate controller) experiences. Here are the most common, their causes and how to repair them.
When Electric Gate Remotes Don’t Work
I have to get closer to my electric gates before the remote control works.
My gate transmitters work.
My electric gate remotes don’t work all the time.
When we come across these problems, there can be a few causes. A series of simple tests usually identifies the exact problem.
Tests For Non-Working Electric Gate Remotes
Test 1 – Is the transmitter faulty?
There could simply be a fault with the transmitter you use to open and close your electric gates. Changing the battery will often fix the problem. Transmitter batteries will last for a long time but, like all batteries, they will eventually die.
If you change the battery but the remote still doesn’t work properly, try a new battery in your spare remote.
You can move on to test 2 if fresh batteries in all your remote controls doesn’t get your gates working.
Test 2 – Is there interference?
Remote controls use a radio signal to operate your gates. Unfortunately, nearby electrical items can interfere with this signal.
Finding out what could be causing interference can be a lengthy process, but it essentially boils down to the following steps:
- Turn off everything electrical near your gates and try your remotes.
- If the gate remotes still don’t work, interference is not your problem and you can switch everything back on.
- If the gate transmitters work with everything off, interference could be the cause. You now need to identify which electrical item is causing the interference.
- Switch one electrical item on and try your remote controls again. If the gates operate, leave that electrical item on and turn on the next electrical item and try your gate remotes again. Repeat this process until you find something that stops your gates working when it’s switched on.
- To double check this is the cause of your interference, first switch everything off apart from the chief suspect. With just this one electrical item switched on your gate remotes shouldn’t work properly.
- Switch off the item that you think is causing interference and turn everything else back on. Your gate remotes should then work properly.
If interference is your problem, leave the faulty electrical item switched off and get help from the manufacturer or a gate repairer to help you fix the issue.
But if you have not identified anything that changes how the gate remotes work, interference is probably not your problem and you can move onto the next test.
Test 3 – Is my receiver faulty?
Your gate remote controls send a radio signal to a receiver in your gate control system. If the receiver is faulty, it may not be picking up the signal or it might not be passing on commands to the gate motors. Either way, if your remote controls aren’t faulty and you don’t have any interference, replacing your receiver is the next step and this means getting an electric gate engineer to repair the problem.
Once you’ve carried out these tests to identify why your electric gates aren’t responding to your remotes the way they used to, there are still a few things that you might want to know.
How Do I Open My Electric Gates Manually If My Gate Remotes Don’t Work?
If your electric gate remote don’t work and you can’t open your gates with them, what are your options? Can electric gates be opened manually?
If a professional installed your electric gates, they should have a manual release system. So, when your gates don’t work properly and you need to open them by hand, you can use the manual release system.
To operate a manual release system for electric gates, first insert your manual release key into the manual release lock. This is usually on the body of the gate motors or in the connection between the gate and the motor.
Unlock the manual release mechanism with the key and push the gates open or closed by hand. Unlocking the manual release system separates each gate motor from the gate it controls just enough but not too much. You can push the gates without causing any damage to the gate motors, but the gates can’t swing freely which would be dangerous.
Once you’ve opened or closed your gates by hand, you can re-lock the manual release mechanism with the key. So, the answer to the question, ‘Can electric gates be opened manually?’ is yes, if they have a manual release system installed. So, make sure that any electric gate automation system you have installed includes manual release mechanisms. And make sure your electric gate is serviced regularly!
How Do I Replace A Broken Gate Remote If They’re Not Made Any More?
If your electric gate remotes don’t work, but the manufacturer no longer makes them, what can you do? Replacing discontinued gate remotes can be as simple as buying the manufacturer’s modern replacement transmitter. However, you can also buy cloning remotes that will copy the type of signal your old remotes send. These need to be programmed so that they operate with the existing receiver in your electric gate system.
Where old technology or radio frequencies are not used any more, a gate engineer can replace the receiver and transmitters together.
Get The Right Electric Gate Professional To Help Fix Gate Remote Problems
It’s can be tricky to diagnose the problems listed above, so it’s often simply best to call someone who repairs electric gates when things go wrong. That way, you know that the problem will be properly diagnosed and completely solved. It will also be guaranteed.
When you call someone to repair your gates, explain the symptoms you’re experiencing as clearly as possible. This will help them suggest how long they think the repairs will take based on your description of the problem. You can also check with the gate repairer what their call out charges are.
When the gate engineer arrives, they will carry out an assessment which is covered by their call out fee. They will then be able to tell you what the problem is and give you a price to fix it.
Many gate breakdowns don’t involve expensive fixes. Transmitter and receiver problems are less expensive than gate motor failure or damage to your gates. In many cases, problems can be foreseen and prevented with a regular maintenance schedule for your electric gates.
If you need help with repairs to your electric gates, call Electric Gate Repair London now on 0800 195 1470.
