Troubleshooting Your Card

Problem Reason Solution
No light on card reader Possibly no power to door lock or LED light burned out. Contact Facilities Service Desk at ext. 5444
Light doesn’t turn green when card scanned over reader Possibly defective access card Report problem to the Facilities Service Desk at ext. 5444 
Green light when card passed, but door won’t open  Incorrect door opening technique or incorrect access to door. Try pushing the door open without turning handle. Try turning handle before pushing door open. If these suggestions do not work please contact your Department/Building Access Coordinator to review your access privileges. 
Card scanned but no reaction from door Incorrect card scanning technique or incorrect access to door  Approach reader with card slowly, not with quick, up and down movements. Card should be flat, not turned sideways. If access card is inside wallet, try removing card from wallet and scan using above technique. Also check that you do not have card placed next to another access card inside your wallet. Reader may be picking up code from another card. If these suggestions do not work please contact your Department/Building Access Coordinator to review your access privileges. 
Card does not work on entrance doors that contain Panic Bars Building power outage 

Try an entrance door without a panic bar.

Wait for power to building to be restored.
How do I use the handicapped accessible doors with my access card    First scan card, then push button within 10 seconds of scanning card. 

The lights on an access card reader BEFORE swiping your card

  • Green - The door is already unlocked.
  • Red - The door is locked to everyone. No one without privileges is allowed to access this door.

The lights on an access card reader AFTER swiping your card

  • Green - You are authorized. The door should unlock for you to access.
  • Red - If after swiping your ID Card, you get a red light, then you are not authorized. Your access privileges may not be valid for 24 hours a day.