Troubleshooting Garage Door Noise

Identify and fix common noise problems - most are simple fixes

Common Noises & Causes

Grinding/Scraping Noise

Causes: Worn rollers, damaged tracks, lack of lubrication, debris in tracks

Quick Fix: Clean tracks, lubricate rollers and hinges, inspect for worn parts

Call Professional If: Noise persists after cleaning/lubricating, visible track damage, rollers wobbling

Squeaking/Squealing Noise

Causes: Dry hinges, dry rollers, dry springs, weatherstripping friction

Quick Fix: Apply garage door lubricant to all moving parts (hinges, rollers, springs, tracks)

Call Professional If: Squeaking continues after lubrication, parts appear damaged

Rattling/Vibrating Noise

Causes: Loose hardware, loose chain/belt, unbalanced door, opener vibration

Quick Fix: Tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain/belt tension, test door balance

Call Professional If: Door won't stay balanced, persistent vibration after tightening

Popping/Cracking Noise

Causes: Spring tension issues, metal expansion/contraction (temperature changes), worn spring coils

Quick Fix: Normal temperature popping is okay, but persistent popping needs spring inspection

Call Professional If: Loud popping when operating, door feels heavy, spring looks damaged

Banging/Slamming Noise

Causes: Broken spring (sudden bang), loose roller, door hitting stops, opener force settings wrong

Quick Fix: If sudden loud bang = likely broken spring (DO NOT OPERATE), adjust door stops if hitting

Call Professional If: Broken spring suspected, door slams shut, force adjustment needed

Humming/Motor Noise

Causes: Motor running but door not moving = broken gear, capacitor failure, chain/belt disconnected

Quick Fix: Check if emergency release pulled, inspect chain/belt connection, listen for gear grinding

Call Professional If: Motor hums but door doesn't move, burning smell, gear grinding sounds

DIY Noise Reduction Steps

Clean tracks (remove dirt, debris, buildup)
Lubricate all moving parts (rollers, hinges, springs, track - use garage door lubricant)
Tighten all hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, track brackets)
Check roller condition (replace if worn, cracked, or flat spots)
Inspect weatherstripping (replace if dry/cracked)
Test door balance (disconnect opener, lift halfway - should stay)
Check chain/belt tension (½ inch play from resting position)
Inspect springs for wear (rust, gaps between coils, stretched appearance)

Noise Won't Stop? Professional Diagnosis

Persistent noise after DIY fixes usually means worn parts need replacement - we'll diagnose and fix same day

(405) 555-0365