Maglock not holding (door pulls open)

What this error means

A magnetic lock's armature plate must FLOAT slightly on its rubber washers to self-align with the magnet face — a rigidly overtightened or misaligned plate can't make full contact, and holding force collapses. Other documented causes: low or incorrect voltage (12/24 VDC jumper set wrong), dirty or rusty mating faces, a sagging door that changes the contact geometry, or an external input (stuck exit button, fire-alarm relay) silently cutting power. Two facts worth knowing: maglocks are inherently fail-safe — they unlock when power drops, by design, for life safety — and slight warmth during operation is normal, not a fault.

Symptoms

• Door pulls open with modest force
• Hold is intermittent — fine some days
• Lock face feels warm (that part's normal)

Try this first (safe DIY steps)

1. Clean both the magnet face and armature plate — a rag and mild cleaner; rust or grime kills holding force
2. Check the armature plate can rock slightly on its mount (it's supposed to); if it's bolted rigid, loosen to spec
3. Check the door itself: sagging hinges change the contact angle
4. Verify nothing is legitimately cutting power (exit button stuck, request-to-exit sensor misaimed)

Safety: power off before any physical intervention. Never bypass covers or interlocks — fuser areas run hot enough to burn.

When to call a technician

Voltage/jumper checks and rewiring are integrator work. Maglock hardware runs $150–$750 plus labor if replacement is needed — but cleaning and alignment fix most weak-hold calls.