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Telephone entry system

DoorKing 1835 Repair — 1835 and 1837 Telephone Entry Service

We repair and program DoorKing 1835 and 1837 telephone entry systems at apartment, HOA and commercial entrances across Dallas–Fort Worth. The call we get most is a panel that powers up and reads normally but has stopped reaching residents after the property’s phone service changed.

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Is this a DoorKing 1835?

The 1835 and 1837 are the two most common of DoorKing’s 1830 Series panels. Both have a phone-style keypad with A and Z buttons that scroll a resident directory and a CALL button beside the zero. The quickest way to tell them apart is the screen. The 1835 shows one line of text at a time. The 1837 shows eight lines, so a visitor sees a page of names instead of one.

The model number is on the label inside the cabinet and printed on the circuit board. A board marked 1835-010 belongs in an 80 Series 1835; 1835-009 belongs in the 90 Series; 1837-010 is the 1837 board. The 90 Series (part numbers ending -090) uses one larger cabinet for surface, flush or wall mounting, with two locks and a double weather seal. The 80 Series comes as separate surface-mount (-080, with a black hood) and flush-mount (-084) versions.

  • A and Z scroll buttons with a CALL button on the keypad
  • One-line display (1835) or eight-line display (1837)
  • Model label inside the cabinet door; board part number 1835-010, 1835-009 or 1837-010
  • 90 Series: one larger cabinet with two locks and room inside for a card reader
  • 80 Series: surface unit under a black hood, or a flush unit set into a wall or kiosk
  • A card reader built in or wired beside it (the 1834 lookalike has no card reader inputs)

Also labelled: 1837, 1835-080, 1835-084, 1835-090, 1837-080, 1837-084, 1837-090

1835 at a glance

Directory
3,000 phone numbers; 1835 single-line display, 1837 eight-line display
Entry codes
3,000 (four digits)
Device codes
8,000 (five-digit 26-bit Wiegand cards, transmitters or PINs)
Relays
3 on board (Relay 0, 1, 2)
Wiegand inputs
2 (26-bit)
Expansion
Up to 48 additional entry points with wired Tracker boards (24 if wireless)
Transaction buffer
8,000 events
Connection options
DKS 4G LTE cellular (1800-080), VoIP / data over IP, or phone line with modem
Programming
DKS Cloud (with subscription) or Remote Account Manager software; basic functions from keypad
Power
1835: two 16.5 VAC 20 VA transformers. 1837: one 20 VA and one 40 VA
Cabinets
80 Series surface (-080) or flush (-084); 90 Series (-090) surface, flush or wall

From DoorKing’s published documentation. Your unit’s label and manual take precedence.

What your 1835 is doing, and what usually causes it

  • The screen and keypad work, but calls to residents don’t go through

    Usually: This usually happens after a phone service change: the line was moved to VoIP or fiber, or the copper pair was disconnected. It can also be a phone line that is noisy or shorted to ground, or a cellular kit whose service has lapsed.

    What we do: We disconnect the line from the panel and test it on its own. If the line is the problem, we recommend the connection that suits the site, usually DoorKing’s 1800-080 cellular kit, rather than replacing a working controller.

  • Residents hear a buzz or hum on the call

    Usually: A missing or poor case ground, phone or 16.5 VAC wires shorted to ground, untwisted or indoor-rated phone wire in an underground run, or low voltage on the power supply.

    What we do: We check the ground back to the panel, look for pinched wires at the door hinge, confirm the ferrite filters are fitted, and measure voltage at the terminals.

  • Cards or fobs don’t work, but calls and codes still open the gate

    Usually: A reader that has failed or lost power, a Wiegand wiring fault (DoorKing limits these runs to 500 feet of shielded cable), or device codes assigned to Relay 0, which Wiegand devices cannot fire.

    What we do: We use the panel’s built-in Wiegand test, which shows each card read on the display, to see whether data is reaching the board. Then we check which relay the codes are assigned to.

  • The gate stays open or the door strike won’t relock

    Usually: A hold-open command sent from a resident’s phone, a hold-open time zone in the software, a strike time set too long, or voltage drop on the 16.5 VAC supply.

    What we do: We check the programmed time zones and strike times before touching hardware, then measure supply voltage while the relay is energized.

  • The display is blank or unreadable, or the keypad is dead

    Usually: No 16.5 VAC input, a keypad ribbon cable seated the wrong way, the contrast drifted (on the 1837 the adjustment is on the back of the display), or heat damage to the LCD.

    What we do: We confirm power and the keypad connection, let the unit run before adjusting contrast as DoorKing specifies, and replace the display (single-line for the 1835, eight-line for the 1837) only if it has actually failed.

  • The panel beeps every 30 seconds

    Usually: The master code switch on the board was left ON after programming, or the call-up feature for 1816/1820 intercom interfacing has been turned on.

    What we do: We set the switch correctly, confirm the master code is recorded somewhere secure, and lock the cabinet again.

  • The system won’t answer when called, so remote programming fails

    Usually: The RING jumper on the board has been removed, which makes the system never answer. It can also be a VoIP line that does not deliver enough ring voltage.

    What we do: We check the jumper and the line. If remote management is needed, we move programming onto DKS Cloud over cellular or IP rather than relying on a modem.

1835 down? Tell us what it is doing — we will tell you what it needs.

(214) 735-4314

How the 1835 works — and what that means for repair

One controller, three relays and a directory

DoorKing lists the same core figures for both models: 3,000 phone numbers in the directory, 3,000 four-digit entry codes, 8,000 five-digit device codes for cards, remotes or PINs, and an 8,000-event transaction buffer. There are three relays on the board, called Relay 0, Relay 1 and Relay 2, and two 26-bit Wiegand inputs for card readers or keypads.

How those relays are assigned decides how the panel gets repaired. DoorKing’s manual says Wiegand devices can only fire Relay 1 or Relay 2, never Relay 0. If Tracker expansion boards are connected, Relay 0 has to be the primary relay, and Relays 1 and 2 become command relays for the expansion boards. So on a site where calls open the gate but cards do not, the first question is which relay each device is actually programmed to fire.

How it connects: cellular, internet or a phone line

A current 1835 or 1837 can reach residents and be programmed three ways. DoorKing’s 1800-080 kit uses AT&T 4G LTE for both voice and programming. On the internet, DoorKing offers VoIP and data over IP using its own adapters and subscriptions, and a third-party VoIP adapter is also possible. The third way is a traditional phone line with a modem for programming.

DoorKing’s own reference guide says it does not recommend a traditional copper phone line (POTS) and does not guarantee modem connections, because many phone company switches no longer support them. That is why a panel on a line that was quietly moved to VoIP can often still ring residents but can no longer be programmed remotely. It is also why sites that lose their copper line are usually better served by the cellular kit than by replacing the whole system.

Programming lives in software, not just the keypad

The keypad handles basic setup: the master code, directory entries, entry codes and relay strike times. The more advanced features can only be set from DoorKing’s software: hold-open time zones, security levels, holiday schedules, anti-passback tables and elevator control. These days that means DKS Cloud, which is included with a connection subscription, or the free Remote Account Manager program on a dedicated PC.

The master code cannot be read back out of the unit. DoorKing’s manual confirms that setting a new one leaves the directory and codes in place, but it has to be done from inside the locked cabinet. So a property that has lost its master code and its account login has a key-control and records problem, not a hardware failure.

Power and grounding matter more than on most call boxes

The 1835 runs on two 16.5 VAC, 20 VA transformers: one for the system and one for the auxiliary terminal. The 1837 needs one 20 VA and one 40 VA transformer, because the eight-line display draws more. DoorKing specifies 18 AWG wire up to 100 feet and 16 AWG up to 200 feet. It also calls for a 12 AWG ground to a real ground point within 10 feet, and states that a decorative post anchored in concrete is not a good ground.

A long, undersized power run causes voltage drop, which shows up as a relay that clicks but does not pull in or a strike that stays locked. A missing ground shows up as hum on resident calls. Both look like a failing board and are not.

1835 parts we repair, adjust or replace

A failed part is not a failed operator. These are the components that actually wear or fail on the 1835, and what we do about each.

  • 1830 Series control board (1835-010, 1835-009, 1837-010)

    Part replaced

    Holds the dialer, the three relays, the Wiegand inputs and the connectors for the display, keypad and expansion boards.

    Signs it has failed: Relays that never switch even with correct voltage and programming, or input LEDs that stay dark when a device is used. Surge damage after storms is common.

  • Memory chip

    Part replaced

    Stores the directory, codes and settings. DoorKing specifies part 1830-404 as the replacement.

    Signs it has failed: Lost or corrupted programming. The ACT LED flashes whenever the board reads or writes the chip. A chip fitted backwards or with power on is permanently damaged.

  • LCD display and interface board

    Repaired

    Shows the scrolling directory and prompts: a single-line 20-character display on the 1835, an eight-line 20-character display on the 1837.

    Signs it has failed: Faded, dark or missing characters, a backlight that is out, or contrast that won’t adjust.

  • Keypad and A/Z/CALL buttons

    Part replaced

    Visitor entry, code entry and keypad programming.

    Signs it has failed: Keys that stick or stop responding. A dead keypad is sometimes just the ribbon cable.

  • Speaker, microphone board and feedback adjustment

    Adjusted

    Handles two-way voice. Speaker volume, mic volume and feedback settings affect each other.

    Signs it has failed: Howling, visitors who can’t be heard, or a resident hearing their own voice echo back.

  • 16.5 VAC transformers and power wiring

    Serviced

    Power the system and the auxiliary terminal. The 1837 needs a 40 VA transformer for one of the two supplies.

    Signs it has failed: Relays that chatter, a strike that stays locked, hum, or resets when the relay fires.

  • Connection hardware (1800-080 cellular kit, VoIP adapter or network adapter)

    Part replaced

    Carries voice and programming data to residents and to DKS Cloud.

    Signs it has failed: Calls that fail with the panel otherwise healthy, no connection to the account, or a busy signal on older 3G-era cellular hardware.

  • Ground, phone-line and low-voltage surge suppressors

    Serviced

    Send lightning and static surges to ground before they reach the board.

    Signs it has failed: A suppressor that is missing or burnt, often found only after a storm has already taken out a board.

Repair or replace your 1835? The honest answer

The 1835 and 1837 are current DoorKing products, and parts for them are listed in DoorKing’s current reference guide: boards, displays, keypads, memory chips and connection kits. A panel that has stopped dialing out is almost never a reason to replace it. The honest exception is a unit with obvious surge damage across several parts, or a property that wants video calling and app-based access the 1830 Series doesn’t offer.

Repair it when

  • The panel lost dial-out after a phone change. Fitting the 1800-080 cellular kit keeps the existing cabinet, wiring and directory.
  • Only one part has failed: the display, the keypad, the speaker or the memory chip.
  • Cards have stopped working but calls still open. This is usually reader power, Wiegand wiring or relay assignment.
  • The programming is disorganized or undocumented. It can be rebuilt in DKS software without new hardware.

Replace or upgrade when

  • Lightning has damaged the board, display and connection hardware together, and the cost of parts approaches a new unit.
  • The property wants video calls and phone-app entry. DoorKing’s 2132/2137 video entry systems were listed as “coming soon” in its January 2026 guide.
  • A single-gate site with no card readers may be better served by a simpler model, but only once its relay and expansion needs have been confirmed.
Call Now — (214) 735-4314Request a Free Estimate for DoorKing 1835 repair

Case studies

DoorKing repairs we have documented

Other DoorKing operators, written up in full — the same diagnose-first approach we take on a 1835.

All case studies

Our DoorKing work

Photographs from our own DoorKing jobs — a mix of models, not all of them the 1835. None of it is stock.

  • Close view of a DKS DoorKing gate operator in its cast grey housing, mounted at ground level beside a driveway gate
  • A pair of black iron swing gates closed across a garden entrance, with planting and a paved path behind them
  • The same iron swing gates standing open, showing the driveway running between hedges toward the house
  • A DoorKing operator and its drive linkage connected to the lower rail of an iron swing gate leaf

How we diagnose and repair a 1835

  1. Separate the panel from the gate

    We open the gate with a known-good command and fire each relay directly. That shows within minutes whether the fault is in the 1835 or 1837, in the wiring to the operator, or in the operator itself.

  2. Test the line, power and ground

    We isolate the phone line or connection kit, measure both 16.5 VAC supplies under load, and check the ground path, following DoorKing’s own troubleshooting checklist.

  3. Check programming before replacing parts

    DoorKing’s manual notes that most reported problems turn out to be programming. We review relay assignments, strike times, time zones and code ranges, and run the built-in Wiegand and RS-232 tests where they apply.

  4. Quote, repair and document

    You get a quote before any work. After the repair we record the relay map, connection type and account details so the next person servicing the panel isn’t starting from nothing.

DoorKing warranty on the 1835

DoorKing’s published 2-Year Limited Warranty covers models 1833, 1834, 1835 and 1837 against defects in material and workmanship for two years from purchase by the original customer. 1800 Series cellular devices are also listed under the two-year warranty.

  • DoorKing’s warranty covers bench repair only: parts are returned freight-prepaid to DoorKing in Inglewood, California, and on-site service calls and labor are excluded.
  • Damage from lightning strikes, power surges and floods is excluded, as is damage from improper installation or connection to the wrong voltage.
  • DoorKing’s 1-Year Limited Warranty, not the two-year one, covers its TCP/IP network adapters, 2334 control boxes and 1815 VoIP adapters.
  • Batteries and external accessory transformers are treated as maintenance items and are not covered.

Our warranty on the repair

Every repair is backed by a clear written warranty. No hidden terms and no confusing fine print: what is covered is explained before we begin, and it is separate from whatever DoorKing covers on the operator itself.

What our warranty covers

The 1835 in Dallas–Fort Worth conditions

Copper lines are disappearing from Metroplex entrances

Many DFW apartment and HOA entrances were wired with a copper phone pair to the call box, and carriers are retiring those lines. An 1835 connected to that pair keeps working until the line changes. After that, calls may fail completely, or the panel may still dial but lose remote programming because the new service won’t carry a modem connection. Because DoorKing doesn’t recommend POTS for these panels, we treat a line change as the time to move to cellular or IP, not as a board failure.

Spring storms and long cable runs

An entry panel at the street is connected by long runs of phone, power and Wiegand cable across open ground. North Texas spring lightning is the most common reason we see a controller, display and reader fail together. DoorKing’s manual calls for a phone-line suppressor and a low-voltage suppressor within 10 feet of the panel, each within 3 feet of a proper ground source. That is exactly what’s missing at many entrances where the panel is simply bolted to a masonry column.

Summer heat on a sun-facing display

A surface-mount 80 Series under its black hood, or a 90 Series cabinet facing west at the entrance, gets very hot in a Texas summer afternoon. Heat is hard on LCDs and electrolytic parts. The eight-line 1837 display is the part we look at first when a panel becomes hard to read in summer. DoorKing adds that contrast should only be adjusted after the unit has run for at least ten minutes, so a panel checked cold and adjusted can read wrong once it warms up.

DoorKing 1835 repair across DFW & Surrounding Areas

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DoorKing 1835 repair questions

How do I tell a DoorKing 1835 from an 1837?

Look at the display. The 1835 shows one line of the directory at a time, and the 1837 shows eight. The controller features are otherwise the same: 3,000 phone numbers, three relays and two Wiegand inputs. The model label is inside the cabinet.

Does the 1835 need a landline?

No. DoorKing supports 4G LTE cellular through its 1800-080 kit, VoIP and data over IP, or a phone line. DoorKing itself does not recommend a traditional copper line and does not guarantee modem connections over one.

Our call box stopped calling residents after the phone company changed our service. Is the unit broken?

Usually not. We test the line separately from the panel. If the panel is healthy, moving it to DoorKing’s cellular kit is normally the fix, and the directory and codes stay in place.

We lost the master code. Do we have to erase everything?

No. DoorKing confirms that a new master code can be set without clearing the directory or codes. It has to be done from inside the locked cabinet, so we do it on site with the property’s authorization.

Is an 1835 still covered by DoorKing’s warranty?

DoorKing’s published warranty for the 1835 and 1837 is two years from the original purchase. It is bench repair only and excludes lightning and surge damage. Check your installation date against the label inside the cabinet.

Can you program the 1835 remotely after the repair?

Yes, once the panel is on a DKS connection subscription. Programming then runs through DKS Cloud or Remote Account Manager. We set that up and hand over the account details.

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