The average garage door opens 3-5 times per day. In case you didn't do the math, that's about 1,500 times every year. The garage door opener is a workhorse who seldom gets noticed, well, until it stops working.
With all that work, a garage door opener repair is an inevitability. Either the garage door won't close, or won't open properly, or it might get stuck. The door is bound to give out at some point. If you are an avid do-it-yourself (DIY) weekend warrior there are some common problems you may be able to fix on your own.
There are many common reasons your garage door could have stopped working. Keep reading for the garage door troubleshooting top eight and the garage door opener repairs that will usually solve your problem.
1. Remote Battery Is Dead
So, you pull up into your driveway and your garage door opener is not working. Whenever there is a problem with a piece of machinery it's best to check the most simple and logical issues first to save yourself a headache.
The most common reason we get called out for garage door opener repair ends up being as simple as a dead remote battery. So, before you call and go to the expense of hiring a professional check them out.
How to Check and Replace Garage Door Opener Remote Batteries
This simple repair is sometimes the last thing people think of. Here's how to do it:
- Open the battery compartment: Flip the remote over and locate the battery door. If you can't tell right away where it is you'll need to pry the entire unit apart to access the battery. The easiest way to accomplish this is with a flat head screwdriver.
- Remove the battery and purchase a replacement battery: Inspect the battery for any kind of damage or corrosion. Moving Up Garage Door Company stocks batteries for all types of remotes.
- Re-insert the battery and reprogram the remote for your system: Pay close attention to how you place the battery and then close the remote back up. Most remotes are going to require reprogramming once the new battery is installed. Follow your manufacturer's instructions on programming the remote and you should be good to go.
2. Something Is Blocking the Door
If your door is going down and then stopping and going back up something is interfering with the laser safety signal. This is simple to solve.
There's usually something blocking the beam. Find your sensors at the bottom of each side of the garage door and check for obstructions. They are sensitive so small things can trip the sensor.
Make sure to take a paper towel and wipe down the sensors as well since they can collect dirt, debris, and cobwebs. All of these can trip the sensor enough to trigger the safety mechanism.
Once you've cleared everything your door should work again, no problem.
If the door still does not close we stock of a full line of safety sensors for all makes and models.
3. The Garage Door Is Binding on the Track
The issue is typically due to weather stripping not installed properly or the tracks are bent.
If the weather stripping was installed too tight against the garage door it can cause the door to bind as it closes. To check if this is the problem disconnect the door from the opener and manual open and close the door to see where it is binding.
The weather stripping should be off set about an 1/8" from the door jamb. This is a general recommendation and may need to be adjusted depending on how the door was installed.
If the garage door tracks are bent try adjusting them with the door open and the opener disengaged. Move the garage door down slowly to see where it binds to make adjustments. Occasionally the tracks may be beyond repair. We carry garage door tracks in all sizes.
4. Safety Sensors Are out of Alignment
You've cleared out debris and moved everything in the garage but your door is going down about 6 inches then reopening. The sensors themselves are a likely culprit.
If the safety sensors are even a slight bit out of alignment it will cause a hazard trip. There are a few simple steps to making sure those sensors are properly aligned:
- Locate the receiving sensor: The two sensors are known as the sender and the receiver. The sender shoots out a beam of light to the receiver and if the light is interrupted the garage door goes back up. This is a safety feature added to all garage door systems after 1992. Find the receiver by passing your hand through the beam of light. If it goes away it's the receiver and if the beam remains solid it's the sender.
- Remove the receiving sensor: These sensors are connected to a bracket with a simple screw system. Undo the screw so the sensor is movable.
- Point it away from the other sensor: Turn the receiver away until the light turns off completely; wait 15 seconds.
- Move the receiver back into position: Rotate the sensor back lining it up with the sender until the light comes back on and you've got a strong beam. Once you've confirmed that they are reading each other again re-secure the sensor to the bracket.
If the door still does not close we stock of a full line of safety sensors for all makes and models.
5. Springs Are Broken
TORSION SPRINGS ARE UNDER EXTREME TENSION. ONLY A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SHOULD CHANGE SPRINGS.
Before you start tinkering with anything you'll need to confirm that the springs are, in fact, broken. Typically the spring is visibly broken in two pieces.
Here's how to fix broken garage door springs:
- Call A Professional
This is one of those repairs you don't want to do yourself. Buy a set of springs here and then call a reputable repairman. Garage doors are heavy. One wrong move and you risk very serious injury.
6. Limits Need to Be Readjusted
If your door is opening almost all the way or closing almost all the way or is reversing when the door hits the floor, you are looking at an issue with the limit switches in the system.
Your garage door opener has limit switches that tell the machine how long to run to lift the door and to close the door. Resetting the switch will get the door back to normal. There are many different types of limit switches. Below is a list of them and generally how they work. You will have to refer to your openers manual for details instructions to set the limits.
- Programmable limits: Most new garage door openers use this type. Typically there is up and down limit buttons. You will set the open limit then the close limit.
- Limit knobs: This type of limit has an open limit knob and close limit knob on the garage door opener. You typically turn the knob clockwise to travel more and counterclockwise to travel less.
- Limit switches: This type of limit is most common in older Genie models. It consists of having a limit switch on each end of the opener rail. Once the carriage assembly activates the limit switch the opener stops.
7. Opener Is Disconnected
You've replaced the remote batteries and confirmed there are no sensor issues and still the door won't open. The opener itself might be disconnected.
Locate your emergency release cable and pull straight down on it. This will reset the track and the opener should reconnect the next time you open the door.
Make sure to watch the opener after you push the button and make sure everything catches and makes it back on track.
If this does not work check your garage door opener owners manual as some model may require you to do something different.
8. Cables Are Broken
To determine if you have broken garage door cables you have to understand a little bit more about the cables themselves.
Your garage door operates on a different set of cables depending on which type of springs are in the door.
Torsion spring cables attach to the bottom brackets on the garage door, go up the sides of the door and wrap around the drums.
Extension spring cables attach to the bottom brackets on the garage door, go up the sides of the door and wrap around a pulley that attaches to the extension spring.
Both of these cables are heavy-duty twisted cables made of several different strands of galvanized wire. They last a long time and can keep the door operational for years without problems. But, problems like faulty bearings in a pulley, excessive moisture near the bottom of the garage door, or poor track alignment can cause premature wear. You can even have rust or corrosion of the cables.
Avoid disaster by routinely checking these cables and springs and making sure they are in tip-top shape. If they do snap or malfunction though, this is another great time to call a professional in.
Repairs like these are complicated and the wires used are hazardous if you don't know what you're doing.
9. Garage Door Won't Open in Winter
Drastic fluctuations in temperature and freezing conditions are harsh on any piece of mechanical equipment. Most garages are not heated so the garage door is subject to the freezing air of winter.
Check that the bottom of the garage door is not frozen down. A slight kick should break the door loose so you can clear away any ice.
10. Harsh Grinding Noises
Similar to the wintertime problem, harsh grinding is indicative of mechanical issues. Most of the time there is a worn-out gear within the opener.
Take the cover off of the garage door opener. You will probably see plastic shavings in the cover.
Before replacing the gear make sure the garage door is easy to open and close manually with one arm. Failing to do this will cause the new gear to break again.
We carry gear kits for all makes and models.
Don't Fix It Yourself, Trust The Professionals
While a lot of these problems have very simple solutions if the simple stuff doesn't solve the issue you can call Moving Up Garage Door Company at 877 379 4947. We have knowledgeable staff and 1000s of parts in stock so we can take the best care of your investment.
A quality garage door opener is not an inexpensive replacement. The last thing you want is to damage the machine trying to save a few bucks on repairs. If simple solutions don't work, it's best to get some help and protect your investment.
Need some parts for your DIY garage door troubleshooting project? Looking for an extra garage door opener remote for your system? Want to replace an old opener that bit the dust? Here at Moving Up Garage Doors, we've got you covered.
Click here to learn more about why you should shop with us and browse our entire inventory of opener parts, systems, and more.