Fixed-code remote
Sends the same code every time. Older remotes of this type can sometimes be duplicated with a compatible remote.
Easiest to copy, and easiest for others to copy.
Gate Remote Guide
Gate Remote Control: Not Working, Lost or Need a Spare?
A gate remote that stops working, works only up close or goes missing is a common call. Most often it is a flat battery or a remote that is no longer paired with the gate. Here is what to check, what can be copied or replaced, and what to leave to a technician.
Written Quotation Since 2018 Abu Dhabi & Al Ain
In short: a gate remote usually stops working because of a flat battery, a remote that has lost its pairing, a remote that does not match the gate receiver, a weak signal from a poorly placed aerial, or a fault in the gate controller itself. Try a new battery, a second remote and the wall button first. A remote can only be copied or replaced if it matches the gate receiver: older fixed-code remotes can sometimes be duplicated, while rolling-code remotes must be enrolled into the receiver. If a remote is lost, ask an installer to clear it from the receiver so nobody else can open your gate. Emirtech installs and repairs gate and boom barriers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain; send the motor brand or a photo of the remote and we will confirm what is possible.
What the remote may be telling you
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Remote does nothing, no light on it | A flat or badly fitted battery, or a damaged remote. | Replace the battery with the same type and try again. |
| Light on the remote, gate does not move | The remote is no longer paired, or the gate has a fault or a power problem. | Try the wall button or a second remote. If they work, the first remote needs re-pairing. |
| Works only close to the gate | A weak battery, a covered or damaged aerial, or interference near the receiver. | Replace the battery, try from outside the vehicle and note the distance. |
| One remote works, another does not | The second remote is not enrolled, or its battery is flat. | Check its battery first, then ask an installer to enrol it. |
| Remote and wall button both fail | The gate itself: power, controller, safety sensor or release. | See the gate barrier not opening guide and check the power. |
| Remote opens a neighbour's or another gate | Matching codes on fixed-code systems. | Ask an installer; a rolling-code system is safer. |
| Remote lost or stolen | The lost remote can still open the gate until it is removed. | Ask an installer to clear it from the receiver and re-enrol the others. |
Gate remote types and what they mean for copying
Rolling-code remote
The code changes with every press. It cannot be copied like a fixed code; a new remote is enrolled into the receiver.
More secure; replacement means pairing, not cloning.
Card, tag or keypad
Opens the gate with a card, a tag or a code instead of a remote. Common for parking barriers and shared entrances.
Added or removed in the reader or controller software.
Phone or app control
A compatible controller, or an added Wi-Fi or GSM module, lets a phone open the gate.
Depends on the controller; we check it on a survey.
Do it yourself or call an installer
You can check the battery and try another remote; leave pairing, receivers and wiring to a technician.
Safe to try
Replacing the battery with the same type, trying a second remote and the wall button, and checking whether the remote works closer to the gate.
Call an installer
A remote that will not pair, a lost remote, a receiver that no longer responds, a second remote you want added or a gate you want to open from your phone.
Do not attempt
Opening the control cabinet, working on mains wiring, using an unknown remote to replace a rolling-code remote, or sharing a master remote.
Emirtech is an independent integrator in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, ADMCC-approved for security systems in the Abu Dhabi emirate. We install and repair gate and boom barriers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and are not a brand partner or distributor. We have no office in Al Ain, so visits there are by appointment.
Have this ready when you call us
- The gate or motor brand and model, if you know it, and a photo of the controller or its label.
- A photo of the remote, front and back, and its battery type.
- How many remotes you have and how many work.
- Whether the wall button or keypad still opens the gate.
- Whether you lost a remote, and when.
- Whether the gate is a boom barrier, a sliding gate or a swing gate.
This page is general information about gate remote controls. Follow the maker's manual for your system, keep people and vehicles clear of a moving gate and do not work on mains power or open the controller. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; Emirtech is not a brand partner or distributor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has my gate remote stopped working?
The usual causes are a flat or badly fitted battery, a remote that has lost its pairing with the gate, a weak signal near the receiver, or a fault in the gate controller. Replace the battery, try a second remote and the wall button, and note whether it works closer to the gate. If the wall button also fails, the problem is the gate, not the remote.
Can a gate remote be copied?
Sometimes. An older fixed-code remote can often be duplicated with a compatible remote. A rolling-code remote cannot be copied that way; a replacement must be enrolled into the gate receiver. Which type you have depends on the motor and receiver, so send the brand or a photo and we will confirm what is possible.
Can I get a spare or replacement gate remote?
In most cases yes, if it matches your gate receiver. Send a photo of the remote and of the motor or controller label. We confirm whether a matching remote can be supplied and enrolled, or whether the receiver needs to be changed. We do not hold stock of every brand and are not a brand distributor.
I lost my gate remote. Is my gate still secure?
The lost remote can still open the gate until it is removed from the receiver. Ask an installer to clear it, and on some receivers to erase all remotes and enrol the ones you still have. Do this soon, especially for a villa or compound gate.
How do I pair a new remote with my gate?
Each system has its own procedure, usually a learn button on the receiver or a sequence with an existing remote, as the manual shows. If you do not have the manual, the master remote or access to the controller, ask an installer rather than opening the cabinet.
Why does my remote only work when I am close to the gate?
A weak battery is the most common cause. Other causes are a damaged or covered receiver aerial, a metal wall or vehicle shielding the signal, or radio interference nearby. Replace the battery first; if the range is still short, an installer can check the receiver and aerial.
What battery does a gate remote use?
Most use a small coin cell or a small 12 volt battery. Open the battery compartment and replace it with exactly the same type. A wrong battery can make the remote weak or stop it working.
Can I open my gate from my phone?
Often yes, but it depends on the controller. Some controllers accept a Wi-Fi or GSM module, and some parking systems can open from an app or an ANPR camera. We check this on a survey and tell you what your gate can and cannot do. See our automatic gate systems page.
How do I get a gate remote repaired or replaced in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain?
Send a WhatsApp message or use the request form with the details above. We reply the same working day, assess on site where needed and send a written quotation before any work. See automatic gate barrier repair.
Gate remote not working?
Tell us the gate brand and what the remote does. We reply the same working day, assess on site and send a written quotation.
Need a free site survey or quote in Abu Dhabi?
Talk to Emirtech's engineers — we reply the same working day across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. CCTV, security, IT, AV and smart-building solutions.
Mon–Sat 8AM–7PM · [email protected] · Since 2018 · ADMCC-approved for security systems