When you Face Garage Door Opener Issues, Here's What You Can Do!

If you’re ever having any trouble with your garage door opener, there are a number of reasons it could be on the blink. Some causes are basic, and some are problematic. Here are some possibilities and solutions.

DIY

Does the garage door not open with the remote? This is usually easily dealt with. 1. You might be too far out of range from the garage door. 2. You may need to charge or replace the batteries. 3. The garage door motor antenna is blocked from the signal or damaged. 4. Perhaps your remote has to be reprogrammed.

Does your garage door go down all the way, but open right back up again? It’s likely your garage door opener’s open-and-close limit settings are failing. These settings tell the garage door opener how far your garage door has to move before it’s fully shut. If it’s set too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it should, because it assumes the door is touching something in its path; then, it automatically reverses, to keep from crushing it. Check your operator’s manual for how to reset the open-and-close limits.

Does your garage door not shut? Your garage door has a small photo eye sensor on either side of it. Between them is an invisible laser beam, which, when it’s broken, prevents the garage door from closing. Investigate to see whether they’re misaligned or grimy.

Does your garage door open and close at random? If your garage door is opening or shutting all by itself, examine the transmitter. It could be wedged under an object that inadvertently pressed the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitter might be under items that you left inside your vehicle, or somewhere else nearby. Also, test the frequency of your transmitter; it’s possible that your neighbor has exactly the same frequency as yours.

Check the power source. Maybe the transmitter batteries need replacement. Or, look at the electrical outlet; it could be faulty.

Does the garage door opener run a few seconds, then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, this can happen if the door is shut, and the garage door motor tries lifting the door, yet it still won’t budge. First, see if the springs are the problem. If not, look at the track for any small obstacles, dirt, or grime. If none of these is the issue, then your garage door may have a built-in lock that’s engaging by accident; this often occurs with older garage doors.

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door isn’t moving? If a power outage arises, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which allows you to open or shut your garage door manually. This switch is commonly attached to a rope or knob, which can unintentionally get unhooked. Open or close the door all the way, and then securely reattach the hook. Then, try opening or closing the door again with the transmitter, and it should work.

Precautionary Measures You Can Take Beforehand

In general, garage door maintenance takes minimal time and effort. When you keep the garage door in tiptop condition, it will absolutely cost you less and last a lot longer over the long haul.

Once a month, look at your garage door system’s components. Replace any worn-out parts. Tighten any loose bolts. If you hear any strange noises when your garage door opens and shuts, don’t ignore it. Consult a garage door professional.

Each year, before the winter comes, lubricate your garage door rollers, springs, and hinges. Some garage door experts say you should lubricate four times per year. Choose a top-name brand, so that it will not dry out. A light coating is all that’s needed. If you do not lubricate, the garage door springs will rust sooner or later, and the coils will eventually bind up against each other.

Schedule an annual inspection with a dependable local garage door repair service. Cables, wires, springs, and pulleys all call for extra attention from an expert.