Electric Gate Reversing When Closing | Common Causes & Fixes
Fault Finding Guide
Electric Gate Reversing When Closing
If your electric gate starts to close and then reverses back open, the system is usually detecting a safety or resistance issue. In many cases this is linked to photocells, safety edges, force settings, encoder faults, mechanical resistance, or incorrect control board setup. This guide explains the most common causes, what you can safely check, and when to book a repair.
Common reversing faults explained
Safety device and force issues
When to isolate the system
Important: a gate reversing while closing is often a sign that the control board believes there is an obstruction or safety fault.
Common “gate reversing when closing” symptoms
The way the fault behaves usually points to the likely cause.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What it usually means | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts closing then reverses fully open | Photocell fault, safety edge fault, force detection, encoder issue | The board believes there is an obstruction or unsafe closing condition. | Check photocells, safety edges, force settings and control inputs. |
| Reverses at the same point every time | Mechanical resistance, track issue, dropped gate, limit or encoder problem | The gate is hitting resistance or the board is losing position reference at the same point in travel. | Check movement, hinges, rollers, rack, track and limits. |
| Reverses only in wet or cold weather | Water ingress, photocell misalignment, stiff mechanics, failing accessories | Weather is affecting the safety devices, mechanics or electrical connections. | Inspect boxes, sensors and cable entries for water or corrosion. |
| One leaf reverses, the other behaves normally | Single motor issue, capacitor fault, arm geometry issue, limit or cable fault | One side of the automation is sensing excessive load or is not operating correctly. | Identify the affected leaf and check its movement and motor behaviour. |
Key point: a gate reversing when closing is often a safety response, not a random fault.
The system is usually reacting to resistance, a safety input or incorrect settings.
If your gate keeps reversing when closing, book a repair before the fault gets worse or leaves the system unreliable and unsafe.
Most common reasons an electric gate reverses when closing
These are the faults we see most often on UK electric gates.
Photocell faults
One of the most common causes of reversing on the close cycle.
- Dirty lenses
- Misaligned sensors
- Water ingress
- Damaged low-voltage cables
- Failed transmitter or receiver
Safety edge problems
If the system detects an edge fault, the gate may reverse immediately.
- Damaged edge rubber
- Wireless edge battery failure
- 8k2 monitored edge faults
- Loose wiring
- Receiver alignment issues
Mechanical resistance
The gate may be too stiff or obstructed during the close cycle.
- Dragging hinges or worn bearings
- Dropped gate leaf
- Track obstruction on sliding gates
- Tight rack mesh or damaged teeth
- Latch, keep or end-stop impact
Force detection or programming issues
- Force settings too sensitive
- Incorrect obstacle detection setup
- Incorrect control logic
- Travel learning lost
- Slowdown settings not correct
Encoder or limit issues
- Faulty encoder on 24V systems
- Incorrect limit switch reading
- Magnet or stop not being read correctly
- Loss of position reference
- Intermittent travel faults
Electrical faults
- Water inside the control panel
- Corroded terminals
- Accessory voltage issues
- Loose connections
- Failing board components
Not sure whether the fault is in the board, motor, photocells, safety edges or the mechanics? We can diagnose it properly and quote for the repair.
What to check when an electric gate reverses when closing
Start with the simple and safe checks first.
1. Check the photocells
- Clean the lenses
- Check alignment
- Make sure nothing blocks the beam
- Look for water inside the units
2. Check the close path
- No objects in the closing path
- No debris in the sliding gate track
- No vehicle over a loop detector
- No impact at the latch or keep
3. Look for mechanical drag
- No visible gate drop
- No dragging or scraping
- No bent arms or broken rack teeth
- No tight or seized hinges
4. Check manual movement
- Only if you know how to release the gate safely
- The gate should move reasonably smoothly by hand
- Stiffness or binding suggests a mechanical issue
- Do not force a heavy gate if it feels jammed
Do not do this: do not bridge out photocells, safety edges or other safety inputs just to stop the gate reversing.
That can create a dangerous installation and hide the real fault.
If you have checked the obvious issues and the gate is still reversing when closing, the next step is usually a proper fault-finding visit.
What a gate engineer should check
A proper repair visit should do more than just reset the board.
Safety input testing
- Photocells tested properly
- Safety edges checked and monitored correctly
- Loop and safety inputs verified
- Input states reviewed at the panel
Mechanical inspection
- Hinges, rollers, bearings and track checked
- Alignment and gate drop assessed
- Stops, latch and keep reviewed
- Rack, pinion or arm geometry checked
Motor and board checks
- Force settings reviewed
- Encoder and limits checked
- Travel learning and slowdown settings reviewed
- Water ingress, heat damage and corrosion inspected
When to isolate power and stop using the gate
- The gate is moving unpredictably or striking hard
- There is exposed wiring or water in the cabinet
- Safety devices are damaged, missing or bypassed
- The gate is dropped, bent or at risk of unsafe movement
Common repair outcomes
- Photocell replacement or realignment
- Safety edge repair or replacement
- Board setup correction or repair
- Mechanical correction such as hinges, rollers or rack adjustment
Important: if the gate only works after repeated resets or keeps reversing at random, the root cause is usually still present.
Resetting alone is rarely the proper fix.
We can attend, diagnose the issue, explain what has failed and provide a repair quote for domestic or commercial electric gates.
Why a gate reversing when closing should be taken seriously
It can indicate a safety, setup or mechanical issue that needs proper attention.
Reversing faults can indicate
- Unsafe or failed safety devices
- Mechanical drag or gate drop
- Incorrect force or obstacle detection settings
- Intermittent encoder, limit or board faults
Relevant UK framework
- Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
- PUWER 1998
- BS EN 12453 and BS EN 12445
- HSE powered gate safety guidance
Shared-use and commercial sites: if staff, residents, visitors or the public use the gate,
repeated reversing faults should be dealt with quickly and recorded properly.
A gate that keeps reversing is not just inconvenient. It may be reacting correctly to a safety issue or highlighting a deeper mechanical or electrical fault.
Need help with an electric gate that is reversing when closing?
We repair electric gates that reverse when closing, stop part way, or behave unpredictably. We can inspect the safety devices, mechanics, motors, wiring and control board and explain exactly what is wrong.
If the gate is unsafe, isolate power if possible and keep the area clear until it has been checked properly.
FAQs
Common questions about electric gates reversing when closing.
Why does my electric gate start closing and then reverse?
The most common reasons are photocell faults, safety edge faults, excessive resistance, incorrect force settings, encoder issues, or a control board that believes the gate has met an obstruction.
Can dirty photocells cause a gate to reverse?
Yes. Dirty, wet, misaligned or failed photocells are one of the most common reasons an electric gate reverses during the close cycle.
Can a dropped gate cause reversing when closing?
Yes. A dropped or dragging gate increases resistance during movement, which can trigger force detection and cause the gate to reverse automatically.
Should I increase the force settings to stop the gate reversing?
Not without proper testing. Increasing force settings without understanding the root cause can make the gate unsafe and may hide a real mechanical or safety fault.
Can safety edges cause a gate to reverse?
Yes. If a safety edge is damaged, triggered, or not being read correctly by the control board, the system may reverse the gate immediately.
Do underground motors cause reversing faults?
They can. Underground systems are more exposed to water ingress, resistance issues and limit-related problems if the foundation boxes fill with water or the gate geometry is poor.