The Most Common Garage Door Opener Problems and Their Troubleshooting

Garage door malfunctions might require a costly repair, but that's not always the case. The most common problems are relatively straightforward to solve without the service of a professional.

In this article, we'll look at the most common garage door opener problems and explain how to troubleshoot them.

The door doesn't move

If the garage door won't respond to commands from the wall switch or the remote, the most likely problem is a lack of power. The unit might be unplugged from the outlet, or there may be another power issue.

Check if lights and other electrical devices in the garage are working. If not, a fuse may have burned out, or a breaker tripped. In that case, replacing the fuse or resetting the breaker will likely solve the problem. If it happens again, it means there's a short circuit, at which point the issue has gone beyond DIY troubleshooting, and professional service is required.

If everything is in order with the power supply, but the door still doesn't react to commands, something may have gone wrong with the garage opener motor. A repair service will be able to identify the malfunction and either repair or replace the part.

Check the remote

In case the door reacts to the switch but not the remote control, there could be several causes. The most obvious is that the remote signal might be just out of range—moving a few steps towards the opener could be all it takes to resolve the issue. Similarly, the battery in the remote might be empty and needs replacing.

Finally, the remote control's programming can go off. To reset it, consult the manual or search for the information online.

The door won't close or open completely

Garage doors have close and open limit switches. These are safety features that are usually controlled by turning the designated screws on the motor. The adjustment is very straightforward, and the screws are readily available. Therefore, this problem can be solved with a bit of tinkering and without professional help.

Rust is another issue that can cause incomplete closing or opening. It is easily solved by lubricating the affected parts. In some cases, the door rollers should be replaced if damaged.

The same causes could lead to the door immediately reversing when near the floor. However, in that case, there can be another screw to adjust—the closing force control. Like the limit switches, this control is easy to access and manipulate by turning the screw.

When it's time to call for help

All of the described issues are relatively easy to remedy on your own. But if none of the methods work, the problem could be more complicated and require expert help. If the door continues to malfunction or doesn't move despite the troubleshooting advice, it's time to call a repair service.

Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage installation, repair and maintenance in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call (602) 610-0112