When your garage door opener isn’t working, the cause is often straightforward and the solution can be low-cost and easy. You may not even need to call a garage door company. Learn why your garage door won’t open and how to fix it with this list of common garage door opening problems and solutions.
01of 15 – Photo Eye Is Misaligned BanksPhotos / Getty Images If a garage door doesn’t close, the safety sensors may need adjustment or realignment. Electronic eyes near the bottom of the door track on both sides require a clear line of view between them. If the sightlines are clear, the door will close smoothly to the floor. However, if the brackets holding the electronic eyes are out of alignment, the door will fail to descend all the way. In most cases, the door will stop or reverse, and lights will flash to indicate a problem. Adjust the safety sensors or brackets by hand to ensure a clear line of sight between each. 02of 15 – Photo Eye Is Dirty BanksPhotos / Getty Images Sometimes, leaves or debris can block the sensors when a garage door doesn’t close. Ensure there is nothing in the sight path between the two electronic sensors. Gently wipe off the ‘eye’ portion of each sensor. Make sure not to misalign the sensors. 03of 15 – Garage Door Remote or Keypad Aren’t Working Properly The Spruce / Ana Cadena If a garage door doesn’t open, a wireless remote control or mounted keypad may have stopped operating the opener. Remote control battery or antenna: If the door opens with the hardwired wall switch, the remote control or keypad battery likely needs replacing. If the battery is fine, ensure that the loose wire antenna on the motor unit is hanging downward and not damaged. Remote control reset: You may need to reprogram the remote control or keypad. The sensitive electronics in the remote control or keypad can sometimes get unsynced and may need to reset. Each garage door opener has a slightly different reprogramming method, so consult the instructions or look online for brand-specific instructions. Check the lock: Also, check the door from inside the garage and ensure that someone didn’t physically lock the garage door from the inside. Get expert help on all things garage doors You don’t have to go at it alone! Find and compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you. Get a Quote Advertiser Disclosure The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which The Spruce receives compensation. 04of 15 – Garage Door Rollers May Need Lubrication The Spruce / Ana Cadena A garage door that lowers will sometimes fail to open, especially in winter. The rollers may stiffen in winter or cold months, and the door may open slowly or refuse to open altogether. Loose screws or opener sensitivity: If this happens, look for a screw on the motor unit to adjust the sensitivity of the opener. Methods for adjusting sensitivity vary, so consult the owner’s manual for directions. Lubrication: Lubricating rollers can also help with this problem.When your garage door won’t open or close, it can be frustrating. Here are 15 common reasons and their solutions to help you get your garage door working properly again. 1. Use white lithium or silicone lubricant to prevent the door from binding in the tracks. These lubricants won’t cake up or attract dirt. 2. Garage door rollers may need to be replaced if they are rusted or damaged. Replacing or lubricating the rollers can correct this issue. 3. Damaged or rusted rollers can create extra friction, causing the door opener to stop prematurely. Ensure rollers are in good shape and well-lubricated. 4. If the garage door fails to open when the remote or wall switch is pressed, the motor unit might be unplugged. Check the ceiling outlet where the door opener is plugged in. 5. Power to the garage door motor may have been disrupted. Check if the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet has tripped or burned out. 6. If the circuit breaker or GFCI is tripping repeatedly, it could indicate a short circuit in the system, possibly within the garage door opener itself. 7. The up-limit switch may need to be moved closer to the motor if the garage door partially opens and stops short of being fully open. 8. If the garage door opens but the motor does not stop running, move the up-limit switch away from the motor unit. 9. The garage door close-limit switch may need adjusting if the door opens correctly but fails to close completely.
What Is a Close-Limit Switch?
The close-limit switch is a safety measure for garage doors. It prevents the door from closing on people and is required for all garage door openers. Adjusting the limit switch with a dial can adjust the descent of the door and stop erratic behavior. 11 of 15: Garage Door Close-Force Screw Needs Adjustment When a garage door reverses before touching the floor, it may be due to the garage door adjustment screw. Garage door openers have a screw that controls the closing force. If the door reverses before hitting the floor, the close-force setting may need adjustment. The friction of the door rollers can fool the opener. Adjust the close-limit adjustment screw on the door opener motor in small increments until the door stops on the floor. 12 of 15: Garage Door Opener Motor Needs Replacement If the garage door won’t open, the opener’s motor may have burned out. You can replace the motor yourself or call a service technician. 13 of 15: Garage Door Springs Need Adjustment or Replacement If the garage door won’t open, the problem may be with the torsion or extension springs. Torsion springs are above the garage door opening, while extension springs are on either side. Torsion springs are difficult and dangerous to replace, so it’s best to have a technician do it. You can replace extension springs for $40 to $120. Most big box home improvement centers carry them. 14 of 15: Garage Door Cable Has Snapped The garage door springs and cables work together. If the cable snaps or falls out of alignment, it’s dangerous to open the door. Have a garage door company replace the cable. 15 of 15: Garage Door Is Off Track If the garage door won’t open, it may be off track or not level due to a loose track. Look for balky movement, squeaks, and unusual noises. Check that the weather seals aren’t coming off or getting stuck. To get the door back on track, loosen the screws holding the track, tap it back into place with a block of wood or rubber mallet, and retighten the screws. FAQ: What is the first thing to check if my garage door is not opening? If your garage door fails to operate, the first thing to do is get closer to the garage with the car.If your garage door won’t open or close, there are several potential reasons. Here are 15 common issues and their solutions: 1. **Out of Range or Remote Control Issues**: Ensure you are not out of range. If you have two remotes (for a two-car garage), check the other one to see if it works. The process of elimination can help determine if the issue is with the remote control or your proximity to the garage. 2. **Sudden Remote Control Failure**: If your remote control suddenly stops working, the first step is to check and change the batteries. Some garage opener units can also be rebooted. Additionally, ensure that the optical sensors on the remote are not smudged or dirty. 3. **Rebooting the Garage Door Opener**: The garage door opener and remote control can sometimes become out of sync. A hard reset and reprogramming of the remote control can restore their functionality. 4. **Irregular Garage Door Operation**: If the garage door opener works occasionally but not always, it’s usually a sign that the batteries are wearing down.
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