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How to evaluate card damage

How to evaluate card damage

Owned by Toshiki Arita
Last updated: Apr 18, 2025

This document contains examples of access cards that are damaged, worn, broken, etc.

These cards may fail intermittently or altogether – on all locks, or just some. They are in need of replacement.

A combination of visual inspection + track verification with the USB troubleshooting reader (NOT the Onity encoder) is a standard way to tell if a card is damaged.

Examples from troubleshooting reader

TLDR; We're looking for the character 'E' OR missing data where track 1 & 2 data would normally be.

Track 3 will always show no data or an error. A track 3 error can happen EVEN though the data is valid!

Track 3 must be verified using Door Access Client in the resident access page.

Each service desk should be equipped with at least one troubleshooting reader. If they are not available then please submit a ticket to the CSG helpdesk.

If you are unfamiliar with how to read the track data, read this article first How to interpret track data for different Card Types

Remember, the output will always be in order of track 1 -> track 2 -> track 3 Track 3 errors will show up as +E? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scenario: Track 1 has an error, track 2 is valid, track 3 may be valid. Track 1 error will show up as %E? Lockout Card Format: %E?;0000000000000000000000000000001234500?+E? Aggie/Temp Card Format: %E?;0000000000000000000000000098765432100?+E? Scenario: Track 1 is missing data, track 2 is valid, track 3 may be valid. Lockout Card Format: ;0000000000000000000000000000001234500?+E? Aggie/Temp Card Format: ;0000000000000000000000000098765432100?+E? - Card will work at building exteriors and dining commons. - Card will not work for Lenel rooms / suites. - Card may work for Onity rooms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scenario: Track 1 is valid, track 2 has an error, track 3 may be valid. Track 2 error will show up as ;E? Lockout Card Format: %000054321?;E?+E? Aggie/Temp Card Format: %7654321^01?;E?+E? Scenario: Track 1 is valid, track 2 is missing data, track 3 may be valid. Lockout Card Format: %000054321?+E? Aggie/Temp Card Format: %7654321^01?+E? - Card will not work at building exteriors and dining commons. - Card will work for Lenel rooms / suites - Card may work for Onity rooms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scenario: Track 1 has an error, track 2 has an error, track 3 may be valid. All Card Formats: %E?;E?+E? - Card may work for Onity rooms but that's it. Scenario: Track 1 is missing data, track 2 is missing data, track 3 is missing data. All Card Formats: - Card will not work anywhere

Visual examples of damaged cards

Pictures and descriptions provided courtesy of Justin M Smith (jumsmith@ucdavis.edu) - Thanks!

One of these cards are more likely than the others to not work for an Onity room - can you guess which one it is?
Any scratches (indicated by a white line) in a magstripe card could cause intermittent or complete failure. However, this card may still work on certain locks.

 

Any scratches or splotches (indicated by the magstripe being worn away) could cause card failure. This is a good example of a suspected complete failure.

 

Any bends or curls in a magstripe card could cause intermittent or complete failure. This card needs replacement.

 

This card may fail on Onity locks based on where the damage is located.

 

This card showcases normal wear and tear. Over time, magstripe cards wear out. This card may fail on Onity locks based on where the damage is located.