When you have a well-installed automatic gate, it’s easy to take for granted that it will open and close with a press of a button. After all, most of the time, everything works as it should. However, issues can sometimes arise unexpectedly. Here are some expert tips for troubleshooting issues with your gate remote.

Why Is My Gate Remote Not Working?

If you’re unable to open your gate with your remote, it may be for one of the following reasons:

• Dead battery or defective remote
  If your remote isn’t working, the first thing you should do is to try to open the gate using another device such as a keypad, intercom, or backup remote control. If these don’t work, the remote’s batteries may have lost their charge. Another possibility is that the remote needs to be reprogrammed or is simply defective and should be replaced.

• Blocked sensors
  If something is in the path of your gate’s photo-eye sensors, it will prevent the gate from opening and closing. Check whether they’re blocked. Most sensors will flash red when they’re triggered.
  
• Loss of power or electrical issues
  If neither the remote control nor the other gate controls (keypad, intercom, or backup remote) are working, check the power supply to the gate. If you aren’t sure which switch in your breaker box connects to your gate, look for any that are in the off position.
  
  There could also be an electrical problem with the opener itself, such as a faulty motor or damaged cable. Such repairs should be left to a qualified gate technician.
  
• Electrical interference
  If your remote issues persist, electrical interference could be the culprit. Interference can be caused by a faulty electrical device in the vicinity. Try turning off nearby electrical appliances then check if the gate remote works. If you identify a faulty device, keep it turned off until you’ve had it serviced by a professional electrician.
  
  Electrical interference could also be caused by a strong radio signal in your area. This may be the case if there’s a radio station, flight path, airport, or military base nearby. A special receiver and antenna may be needed to fix this issue.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

Have you already checked batteries in the remote, looked at the photo-eye sensors and verified the power supply? Here are some other things you can do to try and fix the problem:

• Reset your gate
  Sometimes simply resetting your gate operator will do the trick. Many gate operators have a reset button. With some operators, you need to wait a couple minutes after pressing reset before trying to open or close the gate.
  
  If you have a LiftMaster CSL24U or CSW24U gate operator, the reset switch is a large switch located on the front of the operator. Toggling the switch will reset the system: press down the RESET/DISCONNECT side of the switch (it has a circle), then return the switch to its original position by pressing the NORMAL OPERATION side (it has a dash).
  
• Check for an error code
  If your operator displays error codes, then check to see whether you can identify the issue this way.
  
  In LiftMaster gate operators, there is a diagnostic display on the main control panel inside the operator housing. Descriptions of the various diagnostic or error codes are found in the user’s manual.
  
• Call a qualified gate technician
  If the issue with your gate operator isn’t apparent or isn’t an easy fix, you should get it inspected and serviced by a gate technician. A qualified professional will have the equipment and know-how to get your gate back up and running. In the meantime, you can use the manual disconnect feature to open your gate by hand.
  

Tips For Replacing Your Gate Remote

If you’re replacing your remote, be sure to purchase a quality product. It will work more reliably while protecting your gate from being opened by hackers.

If you have a gate operator from a major brand like LiftMaster, it makes sense to get a remote made by the manufacturer. For the LiftMaster CSL24U or CSW24U gate operators, it’s recommended that you get a LiftMaster remote with Security+ 2.0 technology. These remotes safeguard gate access by sending a new code with every click.

Residential Gate Repair in Western Canada

In addition to offering custom driveway gate solutions, Creative Door Services™ repairs gates and gate operators. For expert advice and professional residential gate services, contact us at one of our locations in Vancouver, British Columbia; Kelowna, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.