What to Do When the ETC Barrier Doesn't Lift on the Highway?

[MacJudah]

If the ETC barrier doesn't lift on the highway, you can follow the instructions of the on-site staff to proceed to the manual MTC lane and use cash or card payment for passage. ETC Usage Precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent issues such as the front vehicle's ETC device malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the front vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The ETC lane recognizes vehicle speeds of 20km/h. If the speed is too fast, the system cannot read the vehicle's device information, leading to payment failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, will cause the electronic tag to become invalid. You can take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human interference, reactivation is all that's needed. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance can also lead to payment failure. Follow the instructions of the on-site staff to proceed to the manual MTC lane and use cash or card payment for passage. Thick car windshields can cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after an accident or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[AustinAnn]

Yesterday at the highway toll station, I also encountered a situation where the ETC barrier didn’t lift. I immediately turned on the hazard lights to alert the cars behind me, then slowly reversed and exited before trying again in the sensing area. If it still didn’t work, it might be due to the OBU device running out of battery or becoming loose—last time I went to the ETC service center for activation, that was the issue. Another possibility is insufficient balance in the account; I usually check my bill periodically. If all else fails, just use the manual lane, hand the ETC card to the staff to swipe, and contact the 95022 customer service later to resolve it. Remember not to spray water directly at the device when washing your car, and metal films can also interfere with the signal. Nowadays, many toll stations have backup lanes, so just wait a bit and it can be handled.

[ElizabethFitz]

Last time I was entering the highway, my ETC suddenly stopped working. Don't panic in this situation, first check if there's any staff nearby who can help reboot the device. Often, simply reinserting the card can solve the problem, especially with aging ETC cards that frequently have poor contact. Check if the OBU device on your windshield has come loose or is obstructed - sometimes improper installation after windshield replacement can cause recognition failure. If it still doesn't work after several attempts, reverse and try another lane instead of blocking traffic. I know a friend who got blacklisted for forcing through the barrier, which wasn't worth it. After returning home, I recommend visiting a service center for comprehensive testing - the internal chip might be damaged and need replacement.

[OLola]

I've encountered the issue of the ETC barrier not lifting several times. The most practical solution is to first check the display screen for prompts. If the tag is invalid or there's a problem with the card, go directly to the nearest service point for assistance. It's important to note that the OBU device should not be arbitrarily removed or installed, and changes should be promptly processed when switching vehicles. If this situation occurs on the highway, it's advisable to use the mixed lane or seek help from road maintenance personnel. Regularly charging the device is crucial, as some ETC devices have small built-in batteries and can easily lose power if left unused for half a year.