7 Common Elevator Faults and Causes of Unexpected Outages

Common Elevator Faults cause major disruption and might create a real risk if handled slowly. In this article we walk you through the 7 most frequent faults that residential and commercial building owners face, and the most widespread causes of unexpected elevator outages, so you understand when the situation calls for an urgent technician.

Common Elevator Faults: 1. Elevator Stopping Between Floors

One of the most dangerous elevator faults and the most disruptive for the user. Possible causes range from a sudden power outage, a control system glitch, or an issue in the safety system that stops the elevator automatically when it detects any fault.

2. Problems Opening or Closing Doors

A door delaying in opening or closing is usually caused by wear or an obstruction in the door’s rail path, and needs a technical check and adjustment to prevent the problem from getting worse.

3. Unusual Noises During Motion

Odd sounds like screeching or clanking usually indicate a problem with cables or the control system, and need a check before things turn into a full outage.

4. Cabin Vibration

Unusual vibration during ascent or descent often points to wear in cables or the rail system, and needs a technical check before it turns into an actual outage.

5. Delayed Response to Control Buttons

If control buttons became slow to respond or stopped working occasionally, this points to an electronic control panel issue that needs a check and maintenance.

6. Water Leak Inside the Cabin

Usually caused by a simple sealing issue, but sometimes it can be a sign of a bigger problem in the electrical circuit, so it’s best not to ignore it even if it seems minor.

7. Level Mismatch on Floor Stops

When the cabin stops at a level noticeably different from the floor level, this is a real safety issue, and typically needs a specialist technician to review the control system.

Don’t Attempt to Fix the Fault Yourself

Regardless of how simple the fault seems, don’t try to fix electrical or mechanical elevator faults yourself. Elevators contain high-risk components, and any improper intervention could expose you or your elevator’s users to a real risk. Always contact a specialist technician.

To learn about the general safety standards applicable to buildings in Saudi Arabia, you can check the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.

To learn about warning signs before a fault happens, check our article on when an elevator needs maintenance, or check our elevator maintenance and upgrade services for a technical inspection that catches these faults from the start.