Troubleshooting Garage Door Opener Problems: Here's What To Do

If your garage door ever goes on the blink, there are a good number of reasons you could be encountering difficulties. Some are simple, and some are complex. Let’s take a look at some likely possibilities.

Simple Issues You Can Handle Yourself

Is the garage door not closing? It might be that the photo eye is simply out of alignment. Your garage door has a small photo eye on either side. Between the two eyes is an invisible laser beam, which, when broken, keeps the door from shutting. Check to see if the photo eyes have become dirty or misaligned.

Check on the power source. Maybe the transmitter batteries simply need to be replaced. You could also investigate the electrical outlet; perhaps it’s faulty.

What if your garage door opens and closes at random? If your garage door is opening or shutting all by itself, even when you’re away, check the transmitters. They may be stuck under an object that inadvertently depressed the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitters might be under items that you’ve left in your car, or somewhere else nearby. Also, test the transmitters’ frequency; it could be that one of your neighbors may have the same frequency as yours.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, this can occur if the door is shut, and the door motor tries to lift the door, yet it won’t move. First, check the springs. If that isn’t the issue, then check the track for any obstacles or grime. If neither of these is causing the problem, then see if your garage door has a built-in lock engaging by mistake. This frequently happens to older garage doors.

Does your door go down all the way, but then open up again? If so, it’s likely that the open-and-close limit settings of your garage door opener are out of order. The settings tell the garage door opener how far the garage door should move before it’s fully shut. If it’s set too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it should, assuming your door is striking upon something in its path; then it will automatically reverse, to keep from crushing it. Check the operator’s manual on how to reset the open-and-close limits.

Does the garage door opener run, but the door still doesn’t move? If there’s a power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch, which allows you to manually open or shut the garage door. This switch is commonly attached to a rope or knob, which can accidently come unhooked. Close or open the door all the way, and then securely reattach the hook. Next, using the transmitter, you can attempt to open or close the door again, and it should work fine.

What if your garage door doesn’t open with your remote? There are few reasons for this problem, each easily fixed. 1) You could be too far out of range from the door. 2) The antenna on the garage door motor is damaged or blocked from the signal. 3) You need to replace or charge the batteries. 4) The remote needs to be reprogrammed.

More Complicated Issues Require Professional Attention

Does your garage door shut part way, and then open again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to keep it from crushing an object in its path. The reversing instruction can be triggered by any objects on the ground blocking the garage door’s path, such as a toy, bicycle, or garbage can. Another possibility is that there’s a buildup of debris on the garage door tracks ~ a tiny object, gum, dirt, etc. ~ which will stop the rollers from moving. This is a big problem, requiring a professional.

If your garage door slams with a bang, you probably have a broken spring, which should be countering the weight of the door. Or, the cables could have broken. Either way, this could be dangerous. It’s time to hire an expert.

The garage door track may be out of alignment. This can be serious. If the metal track of your garage door isn’t aligned, it won’t move. Look for any bends in the rails, or gaps between the rail and rollers. The substantial weight of your garage door will compound these issues as time passes, so don’t put it off. The door might become dangerous, so contact a professional.

If your garage door just won’t open, it’s likely that a spring, or both springs, are broken and need repair or replacement. If so, then you must hire a garage door expert.

NEVER ATTEMPT to adjust your garage door, unless you are already an engineer! If you don’t have your garage door properly serviced, the garage door springs can cause serious injury, and maybe even death. The garage door cables, bottom brackets, drums, may also need to be adjusted. You mustn’t take any risks. Stay out of danger! Hire a dependable local professional garage door repair company. If you are located any place in Suffolk, Virginia, you ought to consider hiring a reputable garage door technician you can count on, such as a mobile garage door repair specialist on staff at Garage Door Repair Suffolk.

Take Preventive Measures

Once a year, before winter comes, keep your garage door hinges, springs, and rollers lubricated. Some garage door experts say you should lubricate them as often as every three months. Use a reputable brand, so it won’t dry out. A light coating is all that’s required. With no lubrication, the springs will eventually rust, and the coils will end up binding against each other.

Schedule an annual inspection with your trusty local garage door repair service. Cables, wires, pulleys, and springs all require extra attention by a professional.

Once a month, inspect the components of your garage door system. Tighten any loose bolts. If you see any worn parts, replace them. If you ever notice any unusual noises when your garage door opens and shuts, don’t ignore it. Consult with a professional.

In general, garage door maintenance takes only a little time and effort. When you keep your garage door in excellent shape, it will certainly last much longer.