Door fob or card reader not working? Common causes and fixes
For property and facility managers in Alberta and BC. If a door won’t lock right now, call our 24/7 line.
The quick answer
Start by working out how big the problem is. If one person’s fob fails, it’s usually their credential or access settings. If one door fails for everyone, it’s usually the reader, the lock or the door itself. If every door fails, look at power, the controller, the network or the software.
If one person’s fob doesn’t work
The fob may have been deactivated, expired or moved to the wrong access level or schedule, or it may simply be damaged. Check the person in your access control software, then try their fob at another door. If you run Kantech ioProx wireless fobs, read our notice on the discontinued fobs.
If one door fails for everyone
| Cause | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Reader | No light or beep, a damaged cover, or it works only sometimes. |
| Door lock | The reader beeps green but the door won’t open, or the door won’t lock again. |
| Door alignment or closer | The door doesn’t close fully, so it won’t latch or keeps alarming. |
| Wiring | Problems after renovations, water leaks or damage near the door. |
If every door fails
| Cause | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Power or backup battery | Doors failed after a power outage, or the backup battery is old. |
| Controller | Doors on one controller fail together, or the software shows it offline. |
| Network or server | The software can’t connect, or a cloud system shows doors offline. |
| Licence or subscription | The software stops accepting changes or shows an expiry warning. |
| Fire alarm tie-in | Doors are released because the fire alarm is in alarm or trouble. Leave this to the fire alarm company and us. |
What you can safely check
Try the fob at another door, check the person’s access settings, look for offline or error messages in the software, and note when the problem started and what changed. Leave wiring, locks, power supplies and fire alarm connections to a qualified technician.
When the installer is gone
If nobody will service your system, system rescue is a core service: we take over and fix systems installed by other companies, and regain admin access where you own the system. Our takeover checklist lists what to gather first.
Door won’t lock right now?
Our 24/7 emergency service handles doors that won’t lock, failed readers and controllers that are down.
Access control near you: EdmontonCalgaryRed DeerKelowna. See also access control and 24/7 emergency service
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Questions
Why does my fob work on some doors but not others?
Usually because of access levels or schedules in the software. If it fails on one door for everyone, the reader or lock at that door is the likely cause.
The reader beeps green but the door won’t open. Why?
The reader accepted the fob, so the problem is usually the lock, its power or the door itself. A technician should check it.
All our doors stopped working after a power outage. What now?
The controller or power supply may not have recovered, or the backup battery may be worn out. Call us; it’s often a quick fix.
Can you fix a system another company installed?
Yes. We repair and take over access control installed by other companies, and regain admin access where you own the system.
Do you offer emergency service?
Yes. Our 24/7 emergency service covers doors that won’t lock and failed access control.
Should we replace the whole system?
Not necessarily. We fix what’s failing and only recommend replacing parts that are worn out or no longer supported.
More answers: Access control questionsGlossary: credentialfail-safe vs fail-secure
Get access control repair
Tell us which doors are affected and what system you have. We’ll follow up quickly to book a visit.
Call and a real person answers, 24/7 for emergencies.