Automatic Gate Repair in Broward & Palm Beach
When an automatic gate stops working, it's rarely one obvious thing: the remote, the motor, the control board, a safety sensor, or the gate itself. We work on automatic, electric, and driveway gates across Broward and Palm Beach every day (swing, sliding, and barrier arms), starting with a real diagnosis, not a guess.
Call Now: 954-310-6669We Start Before We Even Arrive
A lot of gate problems get solved on the phone before a truck rolls. When you call, we ask a few quick questions: does a light come on when you press the remote? Is the gate moving at all, or making any noise? Is there a light on the safety sensor? Sometimes the answer is a dead remote battery or a tripped sensor, and we'll tell you that instead of charging you for a visit you don't need. When it's something real, those same answers tell us what's likely failed before we get there, so we show up ready to fix it.
Before you call anyone: press your remote and watch for a small light on it. No light usually means a dead remote battery, a fix you can do yourself for a couple dollars.
What 'My Gate Won't Work' Usually Means
"The gate's broken" covers a dozen different faults, and the symptom often points straight at the cause. A gate that moves a couple feet and stops is usually an encoder, or something stopping the gate from moving freely: a rusted chain, debris on the track. A safety sensor fault usually means the gate won't move at all. An alarm or beeping from the operator is the board reporting a fault (some brands like LiftMaster show error codes). A loud grinding gate is often bad rollers. A completely dead gate points at power, a backup battery, or the board. We read the symptom, then confirm it on-site: power supply first, then remotes, then moving the gate by hand to feel what's really wrong.
The Diagnosis We Actually Run
On-site, we work the system in order instead of condemning the motor on sight. We check the power supply, test the remotes and receiver, and release the operator to move the gate manually. That alone tells us whether the problem is the gate or the operator. On sliding gates, a rusted chain can seize so the motor can't force it. Sensors fall out of alignment. Limits and encoders drift. Some operators run on backup batteries that cut the motor when they go bad. We've seen control boards with internal shorts that took out half the components around them, and we've opened operators to find ants living on the electronics, or rats that ate through the wiring and nested inside. By the time we've gone through the system, we know exactly what failed and what it costs to fix.
Most operators tell you what's wrong if you know where to look. LiftMaster boards show a two digit code you match against the error list. Viking's V-Flex board has an LCD and a Diagnose button that scrolls through the fault messages. We read the code on site rather than guessing at it, and when a gate doesn't report anything, we find the fault the same way we always have.
A real diagnosis (power, remotes, manual movement, board) often finds a fix that costs a fraction of a new operator.
Gate Safety Systems & UL 325 (Why a Sensor Can Stop the Whole Gate)
Automatic gates are heavy, powerful machinery, and they're governed by a safety standard called UL 325, which in Florida is written into the Florida Building Code (Section 3110, Automatic Vehicular Gates). UL 325 requires at least two independent entrapment-protection devices for each direction of travel, and they have to be different types: typically a photo eye plus a contact edge sensor. The operator's own built-in reversing system counts as one. The operator monitors these devices: if a photo eye is misaligned, an edge sensor's battery dies, or a device is disconnected, a compliant operator refuses to run, by design. That's why a "dead" gate is often just a failed safety device, not a failed motor.
This is also where real expertise shows. On swing gates, a buried loop sensor protects the area the gate sweeps through, so it can't open into a car. Inward-swinging gates near a driveway or sidewalk need extra protection: a sensor that stops the gate when a vehicle is too close. We diagnose, test, and repair these systems, and we identify when a gate isn't meeting the standard and what it needs to be safe.
A gate that won't move is often a safety device doing its job. Viking, LiftMaster, Maximum Controls and Eagle all need at least one monitored resistor based sensor connected before the operator will run. The value isn't the same across brands, LiftMaster edges read around 8.2K and Viking uses 10K, so a sensor pulled off another gate can leave the operator dead. Try running without one and you get the same result.
A gate that won't move can be a failed safety device doing its job. That's one of the first things we check.
Common Situations We Handle
A control board that died the morning after a thunderstorm. South Florida lightning surges kill boards. We once saw four identical surge failures in one week.
A sliding gate that stopped after sitting unused: a rusted chain the motor couldn't move. We free it, and can upgrade to a stainless chain that resists rust and needs far less maintenance.
A gate off its track from rocks, debris, or a fallen branch: re-railed and tested.
A safety sensor out of alignment or failed internally: realigned, tested, or replaced.
A gate stuck in safety mode after an impact, or a community gate that kept getting hit by cars: diagnosed and solved at the sensor level.
A remote, receiver, or backup battery that quit: the cheap fault people assume is a dead motor.
What Drives the Cost of a Gate Repair
Not every repair is the same job. The lightest ones (a sensor realignment, a gate re-railed, an operator reset after an impact) are often just a service call with no parts. A new battery or a single sensor is inexpensive. It climbs from there: encoders, gear reducers, and electric motors cost more, and on most brands the control board is the most expensive single part. In some cases a new operator makes more sense than an expensive board repair, partly because it comes with a fresh warranty (2 to 7 years depending on brand and model, with LiftMaster and Eagle both offering 7 years on a commercial grade operator used at a residence). We lay out the options and the real numbers before any work starts. No surprises.
Every Job, Done Right
Here's what you get when our team handles it.
Full Diagnosis
We pinpoint the exact fault (electrical, mechanical, or safety) before any work begins.
Motor & Operator Repair
Swing and slide operators that stall, run without moving, or overheat: repaired or replaced.
Control Board Repair
Boards damaged by surges, lightning, or water intrusion, diagnosed and fixed.
Safety Sensor Calibration
Misaligned or dirty photo-eyes realigned and tested so the gate operates safely.
Hardware Repair
Chains, racks, and rollers on sliding gates. Hinges, posts, and arms on swing gates. Worn hardware made right.
Same-Day Response
Often on site within hours, with upfront pricing and a workmanship guarantee.
Built Different
Real technicians. Real parts. Real accountability.
Same-Day Response
We dispatch fast and show up the same day, no waiting days for a quote.
Deep Technical Knowledge
We diagnose motors, control boards, and access systems, not just surface fixes.
Local South Florida
We know the heat and salt-air conditions that wear gates down fast.
Guaranteed Workmanship
Every repair is backed by our guarantee. We stand behind every job.
Residential & Commercial
From single-family homes to HOAs and commercial facilities, we handle it all.
24/7 Emergency Service
Gate stuck at midnight? We're available around the clock for emergencies.
Gate Stuck, Beeping, Moving Halfway, or Dead?
Call 954-310-6669 for a straight diagnosis and upfront price. Same-day across Broward & Palm Beach. We diagnose the real problem and never upsell.
954-310-6669Related Services
Gate Motor Repair
Diagnosis and repair of swing and slide gate motors to restore smooth, reliable operation.
Learn more about Gate Motor RepairSliding Gate Repair
Fast repair for off-track, grinding, or dead sliding and rolling gates.
Learn more about Sliding Gate RepairSwing Gate Repair
Same-day repair for sagging, dragging, or stuck swing gates, single or double.
Learn more about Swing Gate RepairCommercial Gate Repair
Repair and maintenance for HOA, community, and high-traffic commercial gate systems.
Learn more about Commercial Gate RepairAccess Control & Intercom
Keypads, intercoms, telephone entry, and mobile access for secure, controlled property entry.
Learn more about Access Control & IntercomResidential Access Control
Smart home access, intercoms, keypads, mobile control, and secure entry management.
Learn more about Residential Access ControlGate Opener Installation
Properly sized, code-compliant operator installation for swing, slide, and barrier gates.
Learn more about Gate Opener InstallationCommercial & HOA Access Control
Multi-user access control and entry systems for businesses, HOAs, and gated communities.
Learn more about Commercial & HOA Access ControlCommon Questions
How do I know if it's my remote or the gate itself?
Press the remote and watch for a small light on it. No light usually means a dead remote battery, a couple-dollar fix you can do yourself. If the remote lights up but the gate still won't move, the problem is in the gate system, not the remote.
Why does my gate move a few feet and then stop?
Usually a limit setting or a failing encoder, or something blocking the gate's movement. A failing motor can also do it. There are a lot of different operators and the cause depends on which one you have.
My gate is completely dead. Is the motor gone?
Often not. A dead gate frequently traces to power, a bad backup battery, a tripped or failed safety device, or the control board. We diagnose before condemning the motor.
What does an error code or beeping from my operator mean?
The board is reporting a fault: a safety device, a limit, or an internal problem. Some brands like LiftMaster show specific codes that point straight to the cause.
My sliding gate is grinding or very loud. What is that?
Usually bad rollers or a rusted chain fighting the motor, not the motor itself. A gate forced to drag against rust or worn rollers sounds like it's straining because it is.
Can a rusted chain really stop my gate?
Yes. On sliding gates a rusted chain can seize so the motor can't force it. Freeing it usually restores movement, and a stainless-steel chain resists rust and needs far less maintenance.
Why won't my gate move when a sensor light is out?
By safety design (UL 325), the operator monitors its safety devices and won't run if one is misaligned, dead, or disconnected. Fixing the sensor usually restores the gate.
Do I really need two safety sensors on my gate?
Under UL 325 (the standard written into the Florida Building Code), an automatic gate needs at least two independent entrapment-protection devices per direction of travel, and they must be different types, such as a photo eye plus a contact edge sensor. The operator's built-in reversing system counts as one.
My gate keeps stopping in safety mode. Why?
Something is triggering the safety system: an impact, a misaligned or failed sensor, or a monitored device the operator can't confirm. We find what's tripping it and fix the cause.
My gate went off its track. Can you fix it?
Yes. Rocks, debris, or a fallen branch can knock a gate off its track. We re-rail it, check the rollers and track, and test it before we leave.
Should I repair my gate or replace the operator?
It depends on what failed. A sensor, battery, or chain is a clear repair. When the most expensive part, usually the control board, fails on an older unit, a new operator with a fresh warranty can be the better value. We'll tell you honestly which way makes sense.
How long is a new gate operator under warranty?
It depends on brand and model: typically 2 to 7 years. LiftMaster is the only brand offering 7 years on a commercial-grade operator used at a residence (5 years on a standard commercial gate).
Do you work on all gate brands?
Yes: LiftMaster, Viking, FAAC, DoorKing, Linear, Apollo, Eagle, CAME, All-O-Matic, Nice, HySecurity, Ghost Controls, PPA America, and more. We know where to source parts for most brands.
Do you offer same-day gate repair?
Most repairs we handle same-day across Broward and Palm Beach. Call and tell us what the gate is doing. Often we can narrow the problem on the phone before we arrive.
Automatic Gate Repair Across Broward & Palm Beach
We service automatic gate repair throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties, including Boca Raton, Weston, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Wellington, Davie, Sunrise. Don't see your city? Call us, we cover the whole area.
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