> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flexwash.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Gates Not Opening
> The gate works by hand but ignores FlexWash? It is almost always the programming mode, and it takes two minutes to fix at the gate.
A gate that opens and closes manually but ignores FlexWash is not a hardware fault. The barrier, motor, and boom are proven working. The problem is upstream: programming mode, a conflicting input, or the network.
Work through this in order. Each step rules out everything before it.
## Step 1. Check for power
Remove the top lid of the gate and look at the screen.
A dark screen means the gate is turned off or has no power. Check the power switch before going further. See [Magnetic Gates](/technical/hardware/magnetic-gates) for the mains switch location.
If the screen is on, continue.
## Step 2. Test the gate manually
Open and close the barrier by hand in service mode. See [Magnetic Gates](/technical/hardware/magnetic-gates) for the service mode procedure.
If the barrier moves manually, the motor and boom are fine and the fault is upstream. If it does not move, stop here. That is a hardware problem, not a configuration problem.
## Step 3. Check the programming mode
The left side of the screen should show the number **7**. Any other number means the gate is in the wrong programming mode and will not accept commands from FlexWash.
To set it:
Press the circle button below the screen.
Then press the circle button again to save.
## Step 4. Clear conflicting inputs
An input set to **Ext opening loop exit** breaks programming mode 7. The mode can read 7 and the gate will still fail. Any input with that value must be cleared to `-`.
To check the inputs:
Press the circle button below the screen.
Go through each input and check its value.
## Step 5. Reseat the ethernet cable
Check the screen for an error icon . If one is present:
Power it down before touching the cabling.
Unplug it and plug it back in, confirming it seats fully.
Confirm the cable is seated on the FlexWash switch inside the office.
Then retry a command from FlexWash.
## Other gate symptoms
The gate will not respond to open or close commands. Usually the key switch.
The gate cycles open with no car present and the queue backs up.