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Most common automatic gate faults and their causes

Gate won't open, stops halfway or the remote doesn't work? Common automatic gate faults, their likely causes and what you can safely check yourself.

Most common automatic gate faults and their causes

Automatic gates usually work without problems; but knowing what to do the day your gate won't open, stops halfway or the remote doesn't respond makes things easier. In this article we cover the most common automatic gate faults, their likely causes and the first checks you can safely do yourself. Remember: work on parts such as the motor, electrics and springs is a job for an authorised technical team.

1. The gate does not respond at all

Possible causes:

  • A power cut or a tripped circuit breaker
  • A flat remote battery
  • A fault in the control board
  • The manual release lock left disengaged

What you can safely do: Check whether there is power in the house. If there is, try the wall button or a second remote. If you used the manual release after a power cut, make sure the lock has been re-engaged.

2. The gate opens but won't close

Possible causes:

  • An obstruction in front of the photocells
  • Dirty photocell lenses or misaligned photocells
  • A problem with the photocell cables

What you can safely do: Check the area between the photocells; a plant pot, bin or parked car may be blocking detection. Clean the lenses with a soft cloth. If the problem persists, the photocell alignment and connections should be checked by the technical team.

Important: Photocells are safety devices that stop the gate from hitting someone. Never try to disable or bypass the photocells just to get the gate to close.

3. The gate stops halfway or reverses

Possible causes:

  • Stones, sand or leaves building up on the rail
  • Worn wheels or hinges
  • Obstacle detection being triggered because the gate is harder to move
  • Drifted limit settings

What you can safely do: Stop the gate and visually check the rail; remove any visible obstructions. If the gate still stops halfway, there is a mechanical problem or it needs adjustment; contact service.

4. The gate is very noisy

Possible causes:

  • Moving parts that have dried out or become dirty
  • Worn wheels, bearings or gears
  • Loose fasteners

Newly appearing squeaks, grinding and clicking noises are usually a sign that maintenance is needed. Early intervention prevents strain on the motor.

5. The remote doesn't work or its range has dropped

Possible causes:

  • A weak battery
  • The remote being erased from memory
  • A damaged receiver antenna or environmental interference

What you can safely do: Replace the battery and try another remote. If the other remote works, the problem is with your remote. If no remote works, the receiver or control board should be checked.

6. The garage door comes down unevenly or a spring looks loose

Possible causes: Spring or cable damage, rail misalignment.

This is one of the most dangerous types of fault. Garage door springs are under high tension. Stop using the door, do not touch the springs or cables, and contact service immediately.

Fault symptoms summary

SymptomPossible causeFirst step
No responsePower, battery, control boardCheck the power and the remote
Won't closePhotocell obstruction or dirtRemove the obstruction, wipe the lens
Stops halfwayRail obstruction, wear, settingsCheck the rail, contact service
Noisy operationDryness, wearBook a maintenance visit
Remote not workingBattery, memory, receiverReplace the battery, try another remote
Garage door unevenSpring or cableStop using it, call service immediately

The way to fewer faults: regular maintenance

Most faults come from problems that could have been spotted early during regular maintenance. In North Cyprus, factors such as heat, dust and salty coastal air make maintenance even more important. During periodic maintenance, safety systems are tested, moving parts are cleaned and lubricated, and settings are checked.

REKA 24/7 breakdown service

At REKA Otomatik Yapı Teknolojileri, we provide 24/7 service for automatic gate, garage door, barrier and automatic sliding door faults in every region of North Cyprus. To prevent faults from recurring, you can also consider our maintenance contract option. Our systems come with a 3-year warranty; if periodic maintenance is carried out without interruption, the warranty can be extended to up to 5 years. To report a fault, call +90 539 102 13 13 or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

My gate won't open — what should I check first?

First check whether there is power, the remote battery and whether anything is obstructing the photocells. If the problem continues, do not force the gate; contact service.

The gate opens and closes on its own — what could cause this?

It may be a problem with the control board, remote codes or sensors. For safety, it is recommended to take the gate out of service and contact service.

Does the breakdown service come at weekends too?

REKA provides 24/7 service in case of breakdowns.

REKA Otomatik Yapı Teknolojileri · 20+ years of experience with automatic gates and building automation across North Cyprus. This article is for general information; request a free survey for your own gate.