--- title: "Turnstile Not Working? Common Faults and Fixes | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/turnstile-gate-not-working-kenya description: "Turnstile not working: arms locked, spinning freely, reader not opening, flaps stuck or alarming? Common causes, safe checks and turnstile repair in Kenya." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/turnstile-gate-not-working-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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Common Faults and Fixes Locked arms, free-spinning arms, readers that don't open and flaps that alarm: what to check. A fault you work around is a fault that gets worse. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - Arms spinning freely: often fire alarm or emergency mode, or power loss. - Locked and won't open: reader, controller or user not authorised. - Flaps closing on people: sensor alignment or dirt. Quick answer Turnstile faults usually come from power, a reader or controller that isn't sending the open signal, the fire alarm input holding the lane in free mode, or a mechanical problem such as a worn solenoid or misaligned flaps. Check power and the reader before suspecting the mechanism. [Photo: Jakub Zerdzicki / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/36K2PZYNfcM) Why act on it now ## A fault you ignore is a fault that grows. ### If you wait - Working around the fault for another week - A small problem turning into a replacement - Nobody checking the rest of the system ### What you get - The likely cause found fast, with the checks in this guide - A technician who fixes it properly if the checks do not - A system you can rely on again [Rosslare AC G44 Reader](/products/rosslare-ac-g44-reader-22147 "Rosslare AC G44 Reader")[ZKTeco ZK LMB -2805](/products/zkteco-zk-lmb-2805-maglock-2637 "ZKTeco ZK LMB -2805 MAGLOCK")[Dahua DH-ARD312 access controller](/products/dahua-dh-ard312-access-controller-13950 "Dahua DH-ARD312 access controller") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20Turnstile%20Not%20Working%3F%20Common%20Faults%20and%20Fixes.%20I%20want%20access%20control%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - Arms spinning freely: often fire alarm or emergency mode, or power loss. - Locked and won't open: reader, controller or user not authorised. - Flaps closing on people: sensor alignment or dirt. - Clicking but not releasing: solenoid or mechanism wear. ## Symptom guide | Symptom | Likely cause | Check | | --- | --- | --- | | Arms spin freely all the time | Fire alarm input active, power loss, emergency mode | Fire panel status, power, mode setting | | Won't open for a valid user | Reader or controller fault, user not enrolled | Reader beep and log, user permissions | | Opens but locks halfway | Mechanism or solenoid wear | Technician check | | Flap closes on people | Sensors dirty or misaligned | Clean and align sensors | | Alarm sounds | Tailgating or reverse passage detected | Event log, sensor settings | ## Get it fixed **When to call a professional**: Qyvea services and repairs turnstiles, readers and controllers. Call [0113 301 244](tel:+254113301244) or [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%27d%20like%20help%20with%20access%20control). ## Frequently asked questions Why do my turnstile arms spin freely? Usually the fire alarm input or a power failure has put the lane in free-passage mode, which is a safety feature. Why doesn't the card open the turnstile? The card may not be enrolled or permitted at that time, or the reader isn't communicating with the controller. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [Access Control · Guide Turnstile Gate Installation: What's Involved From the site survey to the first entry: how turnstiles are installed and what your site needs. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/turnstile-gate-installation-kenya)[Access Control · Technology Explained Types of Turnstile Gates Explained Tripod, flap, swing, speed gate and full-height: how they differ and which suits your entrance. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/types-of-turnstile-gates-kenya)[Access Control · Troubleshooting Access Control Door Not Opening Reader accepts the user but the door stays locked: power, lock and controller checks. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/access-control-door-not-opening-kenya) ### Related services [Turnstile Supply & Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/turnstile-price-in-kenya)[Access Control Repair](https://qyvea.co.ke/access-control-system-repair-kenya) ### Related products [Browse the Qyvea shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) ### Related projects [Real Qyvea case studies](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#case-studies) [← Previous**Turnstile Gate Installation: What's Involved**](https://qyvea.co.ke/turnstile-gate-installation-kenya)[Next →**: Types of Turnstile Gates Explained**](https://qyvea.co.ke/types-of-turnstile-gates-kenya) ## Still experiencing the problem? Qyvea can inspect and diagnose the system on site. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)