Help Center/Hotels, restaurants & bars/Key card encoder

Key card encoder problems: front-desk checklist

Run through this when the encoder is silent, a key card gives an error, or a key encodes but will not open the door.

About 10 minutesHotel front desk
The encoderPlugged into the front-desk PC.
A new blank cardIn case the first one is faulty.
A phoneTo message us if it is not fixed.

Work down this list

  1. Encoder not responding? Check the cable and the light.

    Make sure the encoder is plugged in at both ends (the USB cable into the PC, and the power lead if it has one). The small light on the encoder should be on.

    Push the cable in firmly. If it is a USB cable, try a different USB port on the PC.

    A key card encoder with a cable going to a PC, with the cable and the power light marked.
    Cable pushed in, light on.Click picture to enlarge
  2. Close and reopen the key card software on the front-desk PC

    Click the X in the top right corner of the key card program to close it. Then open it again from the desktop icon (or the Start menu). Try making a key again.

    Still nothing? Restart the PC from Start then Power then Restart, then open the software again.

    The key card program with its close button marked, next to the desktop icon used to open it again.
    Close it, then open it again.Click picture to enlarge
  3. Seeing "key card error"? Try another blank card.

    Cards can be faulty or wiped. Take a new blank card from the box and try again.

    Keep key cards away from phones and magnets (including handbag clasps and some phone cases). They can wipe the card.
    A key card error message on the PC, and a blank card being placed on the encoder.
    A faulty or wiped card is the most common cause.Click picture to enlarge
  4. Place the card on the encoder properly

    Hold the card flat and put it on, or slide it into, the encoder exactly as the picture or sticker on your encoder shows. Do not wave it above the encoder. Keep it still until the encoder beeps or the light changes.

    A card correctly placed on the encoder next to a wrong one that only rests on top.
    Flat, in the right place, and held still.Click picture to enlarge
  5. Card encodes, but the door does not open?

    Check what you typed. Most of the time it is a small mistake.

    • Is the room number correct?
    • Is the check-out date and time later than right now? A key with a date in the past will not open the door.

    Fix it and encode the key again. Test it on the door while you are still there.

    The key encoding screen with the room number and the check-out date marked.
    Check the room and the checkout date, then re-encode.Click picture to enlarge
  6. Many doors failing, or a lock with a red light or no light?

    One door: try a freshly encoded key again. If it still fails, tell maintenance.

    Many doors at once, or a lock that shows a red light every time or no light at all: this may be a flat lock battery or a system problem. Call us or maintenance. Do not keep re-encoding keys.

    Three door locks showing a green light, a red light and no light.
    Green is fine. Red or dark may need a battery or a system check.Click picture to enlarge
  7. Running low on blank cards? Order early.

    Check the box when you open it. Tell your manager when you are down to about a week of cards, because new stock can take time to arrive.

Encoder working again

Make one test key and try it on a door before you hand it to a guest.

Still not working?

The encoder light is off even when plugged in

Try a different USB port, and check any power lead. If the light is still off, the encoder itself may have failed. Tell us.

Every card gives an error, including new ones

Restart the PC and the key card software. If every card still fails, message us with a photo of the error.

A guest says their key stopped working

Check their room and check-out date, then make a new key. Keys can also be wiped by phones and magnets.

Only one room's door fails with every new key

Tell maintenance and us the room number. It may be that lock's battery.

The PC says it cannot find the encoder

Unplug the USB cable, wait 10 seconds, plug it in again, and reopen the software. Then restart the PC if needed.

Still stuck? We'll sort it out.

Message the Skytech team. Tell us which doors fail and what the encoder or the PC shows.

Pictures are simplified drawings. Your equipment may look different. Updated October 2026.