Why won’t my electric gate close? 3 safe checks

An electric gate that opens but won't shut is one of the most common problems we get asked about. It's frustrating, especially when you want to lock up for the night, but the cause is often simple. Before you pick up the phone, there are three quick, safe checks you can do yourself. None of them need tools, and you won't need to open anything.

Safety first

An automatic gate is heavy and it moves by itself, so please keep these three rules in mind:

• Keep clear of the gate whenever it could move.
• Never bypass or tape over safety devices, such as the photocells or the rubber safety edges.
• Don't open the control panel or any other cover.

If you're unsure about anything, don't touch it. Call us instead.

Check 1: Is there a power cut?

Start with the simplest question: is there any power? Are the lights working in your house? Is the whole street affected? Have a look to see whether your neighbours' lights are on too.

If the power is off, the gate may not work until it comes back. There's nothing to fix at the gate itself, so the best thing to do is wait for the power to return and try again.

Check 2: Clean the photocells and clear the beam

Photocells are the two small sensors, usually on posts or walls, either side of your gate. They send an invisible beam across the opening. If anything breaks that beam, the gate won't close. That's not a fault. It's a safety feature doing exactly what it should, stopping the gate from closing on a person, a pet or a car.

So have a look at what might be getting in the way:

• Bins, cars and bikes parked across the opening or close to a photocell
• Plants and hedges that have grown into the beam
• Leaves, cobwebs and dirt on or in front of the lenses

Move anything that's in the way, but only while the gate is stopped. Then gently wipe both lenses with a soft, dry cloth. Once the beam is clear, try closing the gate again.

Check 3: The click test

This one surprises a lot of people. With the gate stopped, stand to the side of one photocell, not in the gate's path, and hold your hand in front of it. On most photocells, one of the pair will make a single, audible click when the beam is broken.

If you hear the click, the photocells are probably seeing each other and reacting as they should. If there's no click, that could point to a fault, such as a photocell that has failed or has been knocked out of line by a car, a mower or a bin. That's a job for us. Please don't unscrew the covers or try to realign it yourself.

Still won't close? What happens next

If you've checked the power, cleaned and cleared the photocells and tried the click test, and the gate still won't close, it's time to call in an engineer. Call us on 07890 387915, or send a photo or short video of the problem by WhatsApp to the same number. A video of the gate when you press the remote, and of the click test, helps our engineer understand what's going on.

Call-out charges depend on your location, and repairs are quoted after an on-site assessment, so you'll know where you stand before any work goes ahead. You can read more about our gate repairs service.

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:30pm. Out-of-hours emergency call-outs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Extra charges apply outside normal hours.

Help your gate stay reliable

Photocells get knocked, lenses get dirty and parts wear over time. Regular servicing helps catch these things before they leave your gate stuck open. Our safety systems and gate health check tests your gate's safety devices and gives you a written report, and a maintenance contract means the visits are booked for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tape over a photocell to make my gate close?

No. Photocells are there to stop the gate closing on someone. Taping over, covering or bypassing them is dangerous. If a photocell is faulty, call us and we'll sort it properly.

My gate closes sometimes but not others. Why?

Something may be breaking the beam now and then, such as a plant moving in the wind or a bin left near a photocell. If you can't spot the cause, send us a short video by WhatsApp on 07890 387915.

How much does a call-out cost?

Call-out charges depend on your location. Repairs are quoted after an on-site assessment.

Do you cover my area?

We're based in Southampton and work across Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire. See areas we cover for more detail.

Get in touch

Still stuck? Call 07890 387915 or WhatsApp us a photo or video on the same number, Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:30pm. You can also contact us online.