Managing Power Issues with the Nexkey Controller

Managing Power Issues with the Nexkey Controller

By following these steps, most power issues with Nexkey products can be identified and resolved quickly. Ensuring stable, clean power is key to keeping your access control system running smoothly.

Step 1: Confirm voltage and power cycle

Should there be no red LED coming from the supplied transformer,
  1. Confirm the voltage for the power supply matches the connector. If this doesn't match, the Controller may function normally for a short period of time, however it will eventually burn out.
    1. Nexkey Controller can work with 12V or 24V DC, 1A maximum power supplies, however the connector needs to match that output.
    2. The power supply that is provided with the Nexkey Controller is 24V DC, 1A.
    3. Use a multimeter to confirm voltage output from the Controller's terminal
  2. Next, try power cycling the Nexkey Controller.

Step 2: Inspect Physical Connections

Loose or poorly seated wiring is a frequent cause of intermittent or total power loss.

Check the following:

  • Wires are securely inside the Controller's terminals.

  • Wires are stripped properly and inserted firmly into terminal blocks.

  • No fraying or visible damage to the cable or connectors.

For Nexkey Controllers:

  • Confirm the 12V or 24V input is connected to the correct polarity terminals (positive and negative).

  • Ensure the Core or lock hardware is wired correctly to the output relay terminals.

Step 3: Controller LED Behavior

Nexkey Controllers show power and network status.

  • Controller LED behavior:

    • 1 Blinking LED = powered but not connected to Wi-Fi

    • 2 Blinking LEDs = fully powered and connected to Wi-Fi

    • 3 Green LEDs = potential issue with board on the Controller. Contact Nexkey Support.

If there’s no LED activity, the unit may not be receiving power at all.

Step 4: Test an Alternate Power Source

If you're unsure whether the problem is the device or the power supply:

  • Use a known working power supply to test.

  • Plug into a different outlet to rule out circuit or breaker issues.

Step 5: Confirm Circuit Load Capacity

If you’re powering multiple devices (e.g., a maglock and the Nexkey Controller) from the same power source, make sure the power supply can handle the combined amperage draw. Undersized supplies may lead to unexpected resets or partial power loss.

Example:

  • A maglock drawing 700mA and a Nexkey Controller drawing 300mA together need at least a 1A power supply — ideally with some headroom.

Step 6: Perform a Hard Reset

Sometimes, a system reset can clear up power-related oddities.

To reset the Nexkey Controller:

  1. Unplug power for 10 seconds.

  2. Reconnect and monitor the LED behavior.

Avoid pressing the physical reset button unless you intend to factory reset the device.

Step 7: Check Environmental Conditions

Environmental factors can sometimes contribute to erratic power performance:

  • Ensure the hardware is not installed in extreme heat or moisture-prone areas.

  • If installed outdoors or in a tight enclosure, please make sure the enclosure is weatherproof. The Controller should never be exposed to rain or outside conditions.

Step 8: Contact Nexkey Support

If you've completed these steps and the device still doesn't power on or behaves inconsistently, contact Nexkey Support with the following details:

  • Product model and Lock ID

  • Power supply specs used

  • Description of the issue and LED behavior

  • Photos of the wiring setup (optional but helpful)



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