If you’re like most homeowners, you probably rely on your garage door opener to get in and out of your house. But if the opener stops working, it can be a real hassle. When it doesn’t function correctly, don’t panic — there are plenty of tips and tricks available to help.
From the photosensor to the antenna, there could be a few different culprits to blame. We are breaking down some easy DIY troubleshooting tips to help you get your garage door operating like normal. If these tips don’t work, you may need to turn to a professional for repairs or a replacement.
Learn more about what to do if your garage door opener stops working.
Troubleshooting Tips for Garage Door Opener Failure
While it’s possible that you could have garage door opener damage that requires expert repair, there are actually a number of reasons why your garage door opener may not be working that you can handle yourself.
Before calling a professional for help, try these easy fixes for troubleshooting garage door openers first:
1. Isolate the Problem
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the garage door opener system is actually the problem. Start by disconnecting the garage door opener and disengaging it from the power source.
If it is already off or disconnected, you may have solved your problem right away. If your garage door stops working while opening, then you might have another problem, so it’s recommended you try our other troubleshooting suggestions.
After disconnecting the garage door opener, try to open and close the door manually. If you can, something related to your garage door opener system is the culprit. If you cannot, you have a different problem.
2. Deal With Any Unrelated Garage Door Problems
If the door will not open or close manually, the most likely culprit is a snapped torsion spring or cables. Examine your springs and cables carefully. If one is broken, it is not recommended that you try to replace it yourself, as untrained spring replacement could lead to injury. Homeowners that utilize their garage doors frequently should consider upgrading to high-cycle springs that are more durable and longer-lasting.
Other non-garage-door-opener-related problems may include debris on the track, a door that is off its track or damaged rollers. Clear off any debris you discover and call a professional to replace rollers or restore rollers to the track. This is a common reason why a garage door stops opening mid-way.
Taking a closer look at your entire garage door system before doing any opener troubleshooting can be beneficial in narrowing down your issue.
3. Check the Photo Eye Sensors
It is mandatory for modern garage door openers to include a photo eye system that retracts the door and will not allow it to come down if the connection between the sensors is broken.
If there is anything under the door while you are trying to close it, it should not close, so make sure the area is clear. Even if there is not, there may be dirt, snow or some other debris on one of the photo eye sensors itself. This will cut the connection and make the system think there is something underneath the door.
Cleaning the sensors can also help get your door operating correctly. Try using a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens like you would a laptop screen or a pair of glasses. If you still see dust or dirt on the lens, consider lightly moistening the cloth and trying again.
4. Check the Remote
If your garage door opener is not working when you press the remote, test out the keypad on your door. Your remote is likely the problem if it opens. The first thing you should do is replace the batteries and try again. If the remote fails to open the garage door, you can either replace it or try to reprogram it.
5. Adjust the Sensitivity
Sometimes a garage door opener has its sensitivity settings too high or too low, which will prevent the door from opening. Consult your garage door opener owner’s manual to see how to adjust this setting.
6. Adjust the Limit Setting
Another setting you may need to adjust is the limit setting, which tells the garage door system where the ground is so it can start lowering the door. If the system thinks the garage door is further down than it is, it will treat the ground as an obstacle and pop back up. Again, the owner’s manual can show you how to adjust this setting.
7. Check to See If There Is a Power Outage
If all the lights on the street are out, it might not be your garage door opener that’s the problem. Even a localized power outage could mean your garage door opener won’t work unless you have a battery backup. If it’s a local power issue, you will just have to wait it out. There are other methods for opening a garage door without power, such as the manual release cord or the emergency key disconnect.
8. Check the Antenna
The garage door opening mechanism has an antenna that reads a signal from your remote to tell it when to open the door. If that antenna is damaged or broken, it may not be able to pick up the signal.
What to Do If Troubleshooting Does Not Work
If you’ve tried troubleshooting on your own and things are not improving, it may be time to turn to a professional. Explore the following solutions to help get your garage door opener working again:
Garage Door Opener Repair
Unfortunately, if none of these solutions work, especially if you are hearing strange sounds coming from your garage door opener mechanism when you try to open it, you may be dealing with a professional repair situation.
A professional can also tell you if your garage door is off-balance and needs additional attention. If the door is imbalanced, it can stop it from opening and become a safety issue very quickly. You will likely need to reach out to an expert for repair or replacement services right away.
Garage Door Opener Replacement
If you have a broken garage door opener that needs repair, and it has been some time since you purchased it, it is likely a good time to replace it with something new.
At Best Overhead Door, LLC we have smart garage door openers from all the best brands, including LiftMaster® and Genie™. Installing one of these systems can help you avoid many garage door opener problems in the future.
For example, with LiftMaster MyQ® smart technology, you can activate your garage door opener from any digital device via Wi-Fi and a mobile app. This means you will never have to stress about misplacing your remote or your remote’s battery dying ever again.
We can also offer you a garage door opener with a battery backup. With the battery backup in place, your garage door opener will still work even if you experience a neighborhood-wide or local power outage.
Our new garage door openers are safer, quieter and faster than older models, probably including the one you have now. If you are interested in finding something new, we can assist you in picking the right opener for your home.
Preventative Maintenance for Your Garage Door Opener
Don’t wait for your opener to stop working to care for it. At Best Overhead Door, we can help you keep your garage door opener operating at its best with preventative maintenance and repairs.
An expert technician should perform routine maintenance at least once a year to ensure your system is in top working condition. We can inspect your garage door and opener and share any necessary repair suggestions.
Our professional technicians will let you know if your garage door hinges are overly worn or if there is a misalignment with the track. We’ll check out every part of the system and hardware to maintain proper operation all year long.
Reach Out to Best Overhead Door to Learn More
At Best Overhead Door, we offer high-quality residential garage door opener repair, service and installation in the Vancouver and Portland areas. We can help you find the right system for your home and get it working as soon as possible.
Are you interested in learning more about our garage door openers and services from Best Overhead Door? Contact us or request an estimate today!
