Gate motor not working: what to check first
Before you call anyone out, these checks fix a surprising number of "broken" gates.
- Is there power? Check the plug or isolator at the motor and the circuit breaker in the house. Load shedding drains batteries fast.
- Is the manual release still open? If someone released the gate by hand, the motor spins but can't move it. Lock the release again.
- Is anything in the beams? A plant, a bin or a spider web across the safety beams stops the gate closing.
- Is it the remote? Try a second remote or the keypad. If that works, the remote battery is flat.
- Is it in holiday lockout? Some motors ignore remotes when holiday mode is on.
- Any ants? Ants and other insects in the motor housing short the control board.
Still stuck? WhatsApp us a video of what the gate does, and we'll tell you whether it needs a technician. See gate motor repairs.