Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
When an automatic door won’t open, the entrance to your building becomes a bottleneck within minutes. Customers back up at the threshold, and staff prop the door while the problem climbs your priority list. Before you schedule a repair, a few quick checks can tell you whether this is something your team can clear on its own or something that needs a technician on site. Here are few reasons a commercial automatic door may stop opening.
Start with power
A surprising number of service calls trace back to a door that simply lost power. When none of the LEDs on the door’s sensors are lit, the door control has lost power. Some causes may be simple to troubleshoot. Here are a few examples:
- Recently, a FedEx location reported an automatic door stopped working. Upon inspection, it was determined that the power switches were all switched to “off”. It was determined that an upset customer had tempered with the switches.
- Some older operators also carry their own circuit breaker mounted underneath or above the header. Unlike electrical panels, these breakers have buttons that pop out when tripped. Press button in to see if it restores functionality.
- If the door went dark after a storm or a building electrical event, restoring power may be all it takes.
If you can tell the door or sensors have power, the issue lies elsewhere.
Check the program mode
Most commercial automatic doors have a mode selector switch, sometimes found on the door jamb or next to the door. Staff may use this feature to hold the door open or shut it off entirely. It is common for someone to leave the door in the wrong mode at the end of a shift, or to switch it to “hold open” during cleaning and forget. Confirm the door is set to “automatic” before you assume anything has failed.
Look at the sensors
The sensor above the door is what tells it to open. Over time the lens collects a film of dust and cobwebs that keeps the sensor from reading approaching traffic. Just because the outside of the sensor seems clean doesn’t mean the inside is clean. The sensor cover can be gently popped off to check for any obstructions or debris. Wipe the lens gently and see if the door responds. These doors also carry safety sensors that stop the panel from closing on a person. When one of those is blocked or failing, the door may refuse to operate at all as a protective measure. For most motion/presence sensors, they have indicating LEDs that signal motion (green) or presence (red). Either one of these indicators will keep a door open. Common culprits include signage taped to a door, holiday decorations, and trash cans moved into the sensor’s range.
If motion or presence triggers the LED but the door still doesn’t open, there may be a mechanical issue with the door.
Clear the track and threshold
Sliding automatic doors ride on a track that collects grit and debris, along with the small stones carried in on shoes. Enough buildup will stall the panel or push the operator to stop for its own protection, then your automatic door won’t open. Look along the track and the floor guide for anything wedged in the path. A swing operator can be held back by a floor mat that has crept out of place, or by freight left too close to the arc of the door.
When it is the operator itself
If the checks above all came back clear and the door still will not open, the failure is likely inside the automatic door header. This is where a worn belt or a failing motor shows up, or a fault somewhere in the controller. Repairs at this level are not something to attempt on your own. The system carries stored energy (mechanical tension) and live electrical current, and a wrong move can injure someone or damage an expensive assembly. This is the point to bring in a technician.
If Your Automatic Door Won’t Open in Metro Atlanta
Apollo Door Systems services commercial automatic doors across Metro Atlanta from our base in Marietta. We are certified by the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) with more than twelve years in the trade, so we trace the fault through the whole system rather than swapping parts and hoping it holds. If your entrance is down and the quick checks above did not bring it back, reach out and we will get it moving again.
Key Takeaways
- When an automatic door won’t open, start by checking for power issues, as many problems arise from lost power.
- Next, verify the program mode is set to ‘automatic’ to prevent simple oversights.
- Inspect the sensors for dust or obstructions that may block their function; these are crucial for door operation.
- Clear any debris from the track and threshold, as buildup can stall the door’s movement.
- If all checks fail, the issue is likely internal; contact a technician for repairs to avoid injury or further damage.
