When the garage door opener seems not to be working, the cause is usually straightforward and the solution can be low-cost and easy, without having to call a garage door company. Learn why the garage door won’t open and how to fix it with this list of typical garage door opening problems and solutions.
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To maintain smooth operation, use white lithium or silicone lubricant on garage door rollers. These lubricants prevent caking and dirt accumulation.
Garage door rollers may need replacement if rusted or damaged. Such rollers can cause the door to bind in the tracks and fail to open. Replacing damaged rollers or lubricating them with silicone or white lithium lubricant can resolve this issue. Damaged or rusted rollers create extra friction, signaling the door opener to stop prematurely. Ensure rollers are in good condition and well-lubricated to prevent this. When the garage door fails to open with the remote or wall switch, the motor unit might be unplugged. Over time, plugs can loosen, and moving items in the garage may unplug the cord. Check the ceiling outlet where the door opener is plugged in and ensure the cord is connected. If the garage door cord is plugged in, the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet powering the door opener may have tripped or burned out. If other garage lights or circuits aren’t working, reset the breaker or GFCI or replace the faulty breaker or burned-out fuse. If the circuit breaker or GFCI trips repeatedly, there might be a short circuit in the system, possibly in the garage door opener itself. When the garage door partially opens and stops short of being fully open, the up-limit switch, usually a touch lever mounted on the track near the motor unit, may need to be moved closer. If the switch is too far away, the motor will stop the door before it fully opens. The solution is to move the switch closer to the motor unit. This rare problem usually appears immediately after a new garage door opener is installed. If the garage door opens but the motor does not stop running, move the up-limit switch away from the motor unit. This issue is often noticed when installing the garage door opener and can occur if the gears inside the motor unit have been stripped, causing the motor to run without moving the door. If the garage door opens correctly but fails to close completely, the close-limit switch may need adjusting. The garage door has set-limit switches instructing the motor when to stop running—both when it is opening and when it is closing. If the close-limit switch is set incorrectly, it may prevent the door from closing or cause the opener to reverse or pull back up when you attempt to close it.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. It is a necessary device for all garage door openers. Adjusting the limit switch, usually with a dial, can adjust how far the door descends and stop erratic behavior. 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 an adjustment screw that controls the closing force. When the door reverses before hitting the floor, it often means the close-force setting needs adjustment. The friction of the door rollers can fool the opener into thinking the door has reached the floor. Adjust the close-force setting for less sensitivity. 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 technician. Garage Door Springs Need Adjustment or Replacement If the garage door won’t open, sometimes it’s due to 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. Garage Door Cable Has Snapped The garage door springs work with the cables. Sometimes the cables snap or fall out of alignment. It’s dangerous to open the door with a snapped cable. Have a garage door company replace it. 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. Check for balky movement, squeaks, and unusual noises. Also, check the weather seals. 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.Why is the remote on garage opener suddenly not working? If your remote control suddenly stops working, the first easy thing to do is check and change the batteries. Some garage opener units can also be rebooted. Also, check that the optical sensors on the remote aren’t smudged or dirty. Is there such a thing as rebooting my 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. Why is the garage door opening with irregularity? If the garage door opener works occasionally but not always, it’s usually a good sign that the batteries are wearing down. Ensure you are not out of range. Also, if you have two remotes (two-car garage), check the other one to see if it works. The process of elimination will tell you it might be the remote control or proximity to the garage.