A gate that stops halfway is usually protecting itself: the controller has sensed too much resistance, a beam interruption or a weak battery. Common causes are a worn battery, a blocked or misaligned safety beam, debris on the track, worn wheels or hinges, or limits that need resetting.
Key takeaways
- Most common: weak battery, beam interruption, obstruction on the track.
- A gate that's heavy to push by hand will stall the motor.
- Don't keep forcing it: that damages the motor and gearbox.
- Limits and force settings should be adjusted by a technician.
01Symptom
The gate starts to open or close, then stops part-way, sometimes reversing. It may beep, or behave differently in the morning, after rain or during a power cut.
02Possible causes
| Cause | Clue |
|---|---|
| Weak battery | Slower than usual, worse after power cuts |
| Safety beam interrupted | Stops/reverses on closing only |
| Obstruction on track | Stops at the same spot each time |
| Worn wheels / rollers or hinges | Grinding noise; heavy to push by hand |
| Force / collision sensing | Controller treats extra resistance as a collision |
| Limits drifted | Stops short of fully open or closed |
03Safe checks
- 01Look along the trackStones, debris, sand at the stopping point
- 02Check the beamsAnything blocking them? Lenses dirty?
- 03ListenGrinding or straining suggests mechanical wear
- 04Note the patternAlways same place? Only closing? Only after power cuts?
04When to call a professional
Battery replacement, limit and force settings, worn wheels and gearbox problems need a technician. See automatic gate repair, gate motor beeping and gate batteries.
05Frequently asked questions
Why does my gate stop halfway and go back?
Usually collision sensing: extra resistance from a weak battery, obstruction or worn parts makes the controller think it hit something.
Can I adjust the gate limits myself?
It's best left to a technician: wrong limits or force settings can damage the gate or make it unsafe.
Why does it only happen when closing?
A safety beam being interrupted is the most likely cause.
