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Fix a door moving in the wrong/opposite direction

Learn about what can cause the motor direction to reverse and how to fix it.

Updated this week

How can you tell if your motor is reversed?

You might notice that your door opens when it should close, or closes when it should open. Alternatively, you might notice that the screen states "Door Opening" or "Opening Torque" while it is closing, or states "Door Closing" or "Closing Torque" while it is opening.

In short: the opening and closing directions have switched.

How can you fix the problem?

There are a few different things that can cause your Door Opener to start moving the door in the incorrect direction. The causes and fixes differ between models. Additionally, performing a recalibration after resolving motor direction or string issues ensures optimal function across all models.

Other potential causes for incorrect door movement can include excessive friction in the door runners or misaligned installation. Addressing these issues by loosening screws, verifying alignment, or reinstalling the door may resolve the problem.

Click on one of the collapsible options below for information relating to your unit.


Mark-4 models The two things to check on to solve this problem in mark-4 devices are the string and the motor wires. The motor wires should always be attached with the black wire on top and the red wire on the bottom, as indicated on the circuit board. You will also need to check to make sure that the string is still flowing in the correct direction. If the string on your Mark-4 motor is moving in the wrong direction, follow these steps to realign and recalibrate it:

  1. Navigate to the Miscellaneous (Misc) Settings on the ChickenGuard device.

  2. Select the Motion Control menu.

  3. Hold the string with your fingers while pressing the Down button to pull the string out. If the string moves upwards instead of downwards, press the Up button until the direction is correct.

  4. Once the string is fully pulled out, press the Up button to neatly rewind it. Ensure it’s aligned and tensioned correctly.

For further information on recalibrating the ChickenGuard door, refer to the recalibration steps in the troubleshooting guide.

The string's direction of flow can change for two reasons:

  1. the string has been let out completely and it has wound back on by itself in the wrong direction

  2. the string has developed a tangle/knot and begun winding in the wrong direction To learn how you can rewind the string in the correct direction, please visit our Tangled String help article.


Mark-5 modIf the door on your Mark-5 model is moving in the wrong direction, it is likely due to the motor settings. Follow these instructions to fix the motor direction:

  1. Press and hold the middle button for at least 5 seconds until "Next?" appears on the display.

  2. Use the Up button to select "YES" and press the middle button to confirm.

  3. Scroll to the Motor Reverse option and confirm by pressing the middle button.

  4. Use the Down button to select "YES" and press the middle button to save the setting.

  5. Scroll to the EXIT option using the Up button, then press the middle button to exit the settings menu. You can check if this resolves the issue by testing Motion Control through "Misc Settings". If still reversed, repeat the steps but choose "NO" in the "Motor Reverse" option.page.


All-in-One model As the All-in-One model does not have any string, the only thing that can cause the door to move in the incorrect direction is the motor becoming reversed. This can happen if the motor reverse setting has been altered by mistake, or due to a mistake during production. Follow the below instructions to get your door moving in the correct directions again:

  1. Press and hold the menu button for 5+ seconds until "Continue?" appears

  2. Select "YES" using the up button

  3. Scroll along to "Motor Reverse", using the menu button to select this option

  4. Either "YES" or "NO" will already have a small ">" arrow pointing to it. Use the up or down button to select the other option.

  5. Then scroll along to "Exit", using the menu button to select this option You can now attempt a new calibration. To optimize the All-in-One model's performance, recalibrate the ChickenGuard door by following these steps:

  6. Navigate to the Calibration Settings in the ChickenGuard menu.

  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to set the door’s fully open and closed positions.

  8. Test the operation to ensure the door moves smoothly and correctly aligns with your settings.

After making these changes, refer to the general recalibration instructions for more details on setting the door's range.

Troubleshooting Common Error Messages

"40% Closing Torque"

This error message indicates excessive friction or tightness in the door's runners. Resolution Steps:

  • Loosen the runner screws slightly to ensure the door can move freely.

  • Perform a door calibration after making this adjustment to confirm that the door operates properly.

"Door Stopped: Recalibrate Door"

This error often arises due to incorrect installation or tightness of the door. In one instance, this occurred because the door panel was installed backwards. Resolution Steps:

  1. Verify the orientation of the door. Ensure the side marked "back" is facing the rear and the front side with the physical stop is mounted correctly.

  2. Reinstall the door so it meets the orientation requirements.

  3. Recalibrate the door using the controller's calibration option.

  4. If the issue persists, check that the door slides freely without binding in its runners.### Preventive Tips for Smooth Operation

  • Regularly inspect the door for debris or obstructions in the runners.

  • Tighten screws securely but avoid over-tightening.

  • Ensure the door panel is properly installed and oriented.


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