Common Garage Door Problems & Solutions

Diagnose issues quickly and know when to DIY vs. call professional

Won't Open/Close Problems

Door Won't Open - Remote or Wall Button

Possible Causes (in order of likelihood):

  1. Broken spring (80% of won't-open calls) - Door extremely heavy, gap visible in spring, loud bang before failure
  2. Disconnected opener - Emergency release pulled (red handle), trolley not engaged
  3. Broken cable - Door crooked/lopsided, cable hanging loose on one side
  4. Lock engaged - Manual lock bar slid into track (check both sides)
  5. Power issue - Opener has no power, circuit breaker tripped, GFCI outlet tripped

Quick Diagnosis:

1. Try lifting door manually (disconnect opener first if possible)

2. If door extremely heavy (100+ lbs effort) = broken spring (call professional)

3. If door light/normal weight but opener doesn't work = electrical/opener issue

Door Won't Close - Reverses Immediately

Causes (90% are simple fixes):

  1. Misaligned sensors (90%) - LED blinking on receiving sensor, sensors not pointing at each other
  2. Dirty sensor lenses - Spiderwebs, dust, condensation blocking beam
  3. Sunlight interference - Direct sun hitting sensor (morning/evening), only happens certain times of day
  4. Obstruction in path - Toy, tool, debris, ice buildup in tracks
  5. Broken sensor - No LED lights, damaged wiring, sensor physically damaged

5-Minute Fix (Try This First):

1. Clean both sensor lenses with soft cloth

2. Check if receiving sensor LED is blinking (if yes = misaligned)

3. Loosen sensor mounting bracket, adjust angle until LED becomes solid

4. Tighten bracket, test door - should close normally

Opens But Won't Close Fully

Causes:

  1. Limit switch needs adjustment - Opener thinks door is closed when it's not (closes 80-90% then reverses)
  2. Obstruction at bottom - Something blocking door from closing completely
  3. Track obstruction - Debris, ice, or damage preventing full closure
  4. Worn weatherstripping - Swollen/thick weatherstrip triggers auto-reverse

Solution:

Limit switch adjustment (consult opener manual - usually dial or screw adjustment on opener). Most openers have "down limit" adjustment to set closed position. Small adjustments only - ¼ turn at a time.

Remote/Opener Problems

Remote Works Intermittently or Short Range

Causes & Solutions:

  • • Weak battery - Replace battery (most common cause, fresh battery = 50+ feet range)
  • • Antenna wire damaged/coiled - Check opener antenna wire (should hang straight down, not coiled or damaged)
  • • Interference - LED bulbs in opener, Wi-Fi router near opener, other electronics (try moving interference source)
  • • Remote needs reprogramming - Signal degraded over time, reprogram remote to opener

Wall Button Works But Remote Doesn't

Diagnosis:

  • • Try different remote (if you have multiple) - if others work, bad remote
  • • If no remotes work - antenna wire issue or receiver problem in opener
  • • Check if remote LED lights up when pressed - if no light = dead battery or broken remote
  • • If LED lights but doesn't work = remote not programmed or opener receiver issue

Opener Motor Runs But Door Doesn't Move

Causes:

  • • Emergency release pulled - Trolley disconnected from opener (pull release toward opener to re-engage)
  • • Broken drive gear - Motor spins but stripped plastic gear doesn't turn chain/belt (needs professional replacement)
  • • Chain/belt broken - Rare but possible, visual inspection shows damage
  • • Trolley broken - Carriage that connects chain to door damaged/broken

Noise & Operation Problems

Loud Grinding/Scraping Noise

Causes & Fixes:

  • • Worn rollers - Steel rollers wear out, develop flat spots (replace with nylon rollers - quieter, last longer)
  • • Dry/dirty parts - Lack of lubrication causes metal-on-metal grinding (clean and lubricate all moving parts)
  • • Track misalignment - Tracks not parallel, door binding in tracks (professional adjustment needed)
  • • Opener chain needs lubrication - Dry chain causes loud operation (lubricate chain/belt)

Door Operates Slowly

Causes:

  • • Weak/worn springs - Springs lose tension over time (7-10 year lifespan), door feels heavy
  • • Lack of lubrication - Dry parts increase friction (lubricate rollers, hinges, springs)
  • • Cold weather - Standard grease thickens in cold (use winter-grade synthetic lubricant)
  • • Opener speed setting - Some openers have adjustable speed (check manual for adjustment)

Door Shakes/Vibrates When Operating

Solutions:

  • • Tighten all hardware - Nuts, bolts, screws, brackets (door vibrates loose over time)
  • • Check door balance - Unbalanced door causes shaking (disconnect opener, test if door stays open halfway - if not, spring adjustment needed)
  • • Worn rollers - Rollers with flat spots or damage cause vibration (replace worn rollers)
  • • Opener vibration isolation - Add rubber isolators between opener and ceiling (reduces vibration transfer)

Structural & Track Problems

Door Crooked/Lopsided When Opening

Dangerous Condition - DO NOT Operate

Causes:

  • • Broken cable - One side not lifting (cable hangs loose, door tilts heavily to one side)
  • • Cable off drum - Cable unwound from winding drum (visible at top corner)
  • • Spring imbalance - One spring broken or different tension (door favors one side)

Call professional immediately - operating crooked door risks door falling, causing injury/damage

Door Jumps Off Track

Extremely Dangerous - Evacuate Area

Common Causes:

  • • Broken cable (sudden release causes door to derail)
  • • Impact damage (hitting door with vehicle)
  • • Worn/broken rollers (roller breaks, door falls out of track)
  • • Track damage (bent/warped track can't guide door properly)

DO NOT attempt to fix yourself - door can fall without warning. Call emergency professional service.

Gap on One Side When Closed

Causes & Solutions:

  • • Track not level - Garage floor settled, tracks need adjustment (professional track leveling)
  • • Worn weatherstripping - One side compressed more than other (replace weatherstripping)
  • • Door warped - Wooden doors especially susceptible to warping (may need panel replacement or door replacement)
  • • Foundation shift - House settling creates gap (track adjustment or longer weatherstripping)

When to Call Professional vs. DIY

Safe DIY Fixes

  • • Sensor alignment/cleaning
  • • Lubricating moving parts
  • • Tightening loose hardware
  • • Replacing weatherstripping
  • • Programming remotes
  • • Cleaning tracks
  • • Replacing remote batteries
  • • Minor opener adjustments

Call Professional

  • • Broken springs (DANGEROUS)
  • • Broken cables (door unstable)
  • • Door off track (can fall)
  • • Spring adjustment/replacement
  • • Track alignment/repair
  • • Opener gear replacement
  • • Cable replacement
  • • Structural damage

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