If you suspect your door controller is not working properly, there is a simple test you can perform. Simply power off the door controller by unplugging the power supply from it, and then power it back up. When it powers up, the green LED on the controller should light up for a few seconds. This indicates that the door controller is working properly. If you determine that the door controller is working properly but your system is still not opening the door, we recommend troubleshooting your other systems in the following order:
- Door strike / maglock – when the green LED lights up on the door controller, it is trying to unlock your door. If your door does not open at that time, you may have faulty wiring or a faulty locking device. You should have your locksmith make a visit to troubleshoot this problem.
- Computer / serial port – The door controller is controlled by the computer via a serial or COM port. A simple way to fire all of the COM ports is to reboot your computer. Upon power up, your computer should send a signal through all COM ports and this signal should fire the controller, thus unlocking the door. If you need additional help troubleshooting this system, you should bring in a qualified computer technician.
- Software – Your fitness management software is responsible for firing the door controller through the COM port. If you have determined that the controller is functioning properly based on the information above, you may have a problem with your software. In this case, we recommend that you contact your fitness management software provider’s technical support department.
That’s good information to figure out if my door controller is working, but what if I think I have a problem with the barcode reader?
We will soon release a step by step process for troubleshooting a barcode reader, but here are some quick tips. First, independant of your computer system, the barcode reader should beep on power up – if it does not, you probably have a bad reader (or power supply). Second, it should beep when a card is swiped – again if it does not your reader is probably bad (but make sure to try another card also).
Beyond that – you may be experiencing a sympton where the reader beeps when a card is swiped as expected, but the data is not making its way to your computer. You should check all connections thoroughly by literally unplugging and plugging back in every connection between the reader and the computer. If the data is still not making its way to your computer, I would suggest replacing the reader. Note that there is still an outside shot that the cable(s) itself is damaged, which makes for a very difficult troubleshooting process.
Before ordering a new reader, you may want to contact a local PC technician to come troubleshoot. Since the barcode reader is a serial device, a PC tech can use a communications program called hyperterminal to determine if the data truly is not making it to the computer. He or she may also be able to make sure that the proper COM port is configured. These steps are too advanced for a typical do-it-yourselfer, we recommend calling in a PC tech.