New Tag Intermittently Activates DoorUpdated 7 months ago

If an RFID proximity tag is intermittently activating the RFID sensor box, or if it's only activating reliably from one side of the door, this can indicate a signal issue inhibiting the communication between the tag and the sensor box. This article details methods to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Note that the suggestions below are for tags that have shown intermittent activation since installation/setup. If a tag was previously working for a period of time, but is now showing intermittent activation, please see here.

1. Low Battery

Usually, a tag failing to activate, activating intermittently, or activating at variable range, is suffering from a dying or dead battery. An indication of this is a dim LED flash on the tag when the tag's button is pressed, or no LED flash at all.

A video on changing the battery in the tag can be found here. Each tag takes a single CR2032 battery, and an eyeglass screwdriver is recommended.

2. Calibrate Range

The proximity tag's activation range may need to be calibrated to work properly. Follow the steps in this article to set the range of the tag. Set the range of only one tag at a time, ensuring all other tags are over 15ft away from the sensor box. Note that the tag's range may need to be calibrated multiple times.

3. Sensor Box Positioning

The RFID sensor box may need to be repositioned. This is most often due to environmental interference from RF blocking materials in walls, the door frame, or furniture - such as metal or concrete/brick - or a "dead spot" in the detection field around the sensor box.

Use double-sided tape for temporary mounting and test various positions of the sensor box along the wall. Adjust the box vertically or horizontally, or rotate it 90 degrees by mounting it perpendicularly to the door.

After relocating the sensor box, calibrate the tag's activation range and test. Note that the tag may take 1-3 seconds to activate once within range.