Common Garage Door Opener Issues and How to Fix Them

A functioning garage door opener is an essential part of any modern home. It provides convenient and secure access to your garage, protects your vehicles and belongings, and enhances the overall curb appeal of your property. However, like any machine, garage door openers can experience issues that can prevent them from operating correctly. 

In this article, we will discuss the most common garage door opener issues and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting and fixing them. By understanding these issues, you can save time and money and ensure that your garage door opener functions reliably for years.

5 Common Garage Door Opener Issues

Door Won’t Open or Close

If your garage door opener is not opening or closing, there could be several possible causes. Here are a few common issues to consider:

• Dead remote battery: If the remote control’s battery is dead, the garage door opener won’t receive the signal to open or close. Replace the battery and try again.
• Disconnected power source: Check that the garage door opener is plugged in and receiving power. If not, connect it to a working outlet or replace the fuse or circuit breaker.
• Blocked sensors: If the sensors at the bottom of the garage door are blocked or misaligned, the door opener won’t function correctly. Clear any debris or objects obstructing the sensors and ensure they are properly aligned.
• Broken torsion springs: Torsion springs are responsible for lifting the garage door, and if they are broken, the garage door opener won’t be able to lift the weight. Call a professional to replace the springs.

Door Reverses Before Closing

If your garage door opener starts to close but then reverses, there could be several possible causes. Here are a few common issues to consider:

• Dirty or misaligned sensors: If the sensors at the bottom of the garage door are dirty or misaligned, they may detect an obstacle and prevent the door from closing. Clean the sensors with a soft cloth and ensure they are properly aligned.
• Malfunctioning safety feature: Many garage door openers have safety features that prevent the door from closing if there is an obstruction. If this feature is malfunctioning, it may falsely detect an obstruction and prevent the door from closing. Check the manual for your garage door opener to determine if it has a safety feature, and if so, how to troubleshoot it.
• Damaged garage door track: If the garage door track is damaged or misaligned, it can cause the door to reverse before closing. Inspect the track for any dents or damage and repair as needed.

Door Makes Unusual Noises

Seemingly unrelated to your opener, issues with your garage door can appear as though your opener is the cause. If your garage door opener is making excessive noise, there could be several possible causes. Here are a few common issues to consider:

• Worn-out rollers: The rollers that guide the garage door along the tracks can wear out over time and create noise and resistance. Enough resistance can cause the opener to not open the door. Inspect and replace the rollers with new, high-quality ones to resolve this problem.
• Loose hardware: The nuts, bolts, and screws that hold the garage door together can loosen over time and create rattling or banging sounds, as well as impede the function of the opener. Tighten any loose hardware to reduce noise and restore smooth operation..
• Lack of lubrication: The moving parts of a garage door opener can become dry and cause friction, resulting in noise, and additional drag for the opener. Apply lubricant to the rollers, tracks, and hinges to reduce noise and reduce drag for opener.
• Damaged or worn-out motor: If the garage door opener motor is damaged or worn out, it can create excessive noise and have limited capabilities. In this case, you may need to replace the motor.

Door Opener Motor Runs But Door Doesn’t Move

If your garage door opener is running but the door isn’t moving, several possible causes could exist. Here are a few common issues to consider:

• Broken drive gear: The drive gear is a component that connects the motor to the chain or belt that moves the garage door. If the gear is broken, the motor will run but the door won’t move. You’ll need to replace the drive gear to fix the issue.
• Worn-out motor: If the motor is old or worn out, it may need more power to move the garage door. In this case, you may need to replace the motor.
• Disconnected trolley: The trolley is the mechanism that connects the garage door to the opener’s drive system. If the trolley becomes disconnected or damaged, the garage door won’t move. Check the trolley for any issues and repair or replace as needed.
• Broken chain or belt: If the chain or belt that moves the garage door is broken, the motor will run, but the door won’t move. You’ll need to replace the broken chain or belt to fix the issue.

Door Closes Too Quickly or Too Slowly

If your garage door opener operates an unusual rate – too quickly or too slowly, there could be several causes. Here are a few common issues to consider:

• Broken or worn-out springs: The springs that help lift and lower the garage door wear out over time. On occasion they may break when the door is in the up position so when the motor is activated to close the door, it may close faster than normal. If the springs are broken or worn out, you’ll need to replace them to fix the issue.
• Back-up Battery in Use: When an opener has been running on the back-up battery, the door may run slower than normal. Check you have power to your opener. Restoring power will allow the opener to run as normal, and recharge your battery.

To Sum It Up

While many garage door opener issues can be easily fixed, it’s important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. By performing regular maintenance and inspections, you can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems.

Some important maintenance tasks to keep in mind include lubricating the moving parts of the garage door opener, tightening loose hardware, and cleaning the sensors. In addition, it’s a good idea to test the garage door opener’s safety features regularly to ensure they’re working properly.

If you’re uncomfortable performing these maintenance tasks, consider hiring the professionals at Ohana to do it for you. A qualified technician can thoroughly inspect your garage door opener and identify any potential issues before they become major problems.

By taking these steps to ensure your garage door opener is in good working order, you can prevent many common issues from occurring and ensure the safety and security of your home.