St. Albert

& Surrounding Areas

Common Garage Door Opener Problems

Got Garage Door Opener Problems?

If your garage door opener is giving you trouble, you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the most common issues people run into with their garage door openers and explain how to fix them.

Table of Contents

When your garage door opener stops working, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. However, in most cases, the cause of the problem is relatively simple to understand.

 

Let’s dive straight into it!

1. Garage Door Doesn't Close Fully.

A garage door that doesn’t close all the way is a security risk and an annoyance. There are several reasons why your door might not be closing fully, but luckily, there are also several easy fixes.

  • One reason why your door might not be closing properly is because the photo eye sensor is out of alignment. The photo eye sensor is responsible for detecting obstacles in the doorway, and if it’s not aligned properly, it can prevent the door from closing.
    • To fix this, simply realign the photo eye sensor so that it’s pointing directly at the ground.
  • Another reason for an improperly closing garage door is that the springs are either too weak or too strong. If your springs are too weak, they won’t be able to close the door fully; if they’re too strong, they can cause the door to close too quickly, which can be dangerous. Either way, you’ll need to adjust the tension of your springs. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can always call a professional.
  • Finally, an improperly closing garage door can be caused by a broken chain or cable. This is a more serious issue since a broken chain or cable can prevent the door from opening at all.

2. Garage Door Doesn't Fully Open.

  • The up-limit switch is a simple touch-lever mounted on the end of the track near the motor unit. If this switch is too far away from the motor unit, the motor will stop the door before it fully opens. The solution is to move the switch closer to the motor unit. This problem is relatively rare, but can occur immediately after a new garage door opener is installed.
    • If you experience this issue, simply adjust the position of the up-limit switch and it should resolve the issue.

 

  • Another issue can be due to the rollers. Rollers are an essential part of any garage door, and they need to be in good working order for the door to function properly. Over time, rollers can become damaged or start to rust, which can cause the door to stop short of fully opening.

 

Inspect them for damage and replace any that are broken. If the rollers are just rusty, you can try lubricating them with WD-40 or a similar product. Once you’ve taken care of the rollers, your garage door should start working properly again.

Got Questions ?

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3. Garage Door Motor Doesn't Stop Running But Door Opens.

When this unusual problem occurs, it means the up-limit switch probably needs to be moved away from the motor unit.

 

It is rare for this problem to suddenly appear; if it happens at all, it will usually be noticed when you first install the garage door opener, though it can occur if or when the gears inside the motor unit have been stripped, which causes the motor to run without moving the door.

4. Garage Door Has Difficulty Opening in Winter

If your garage door starts to act up, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.

 

  • One is to adjust the sensitivity of the opener. This can be done by finding a screw on the motor unit and turning it one way or the other.
  • Another thing you can try is lubricating the rollers. This will help them move more smoothly and might make the door more likely to open.

 

Adjusting sensitivity is different for every model, so consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions. With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to get your garage door working properly again in no time.

5. Wall Switch & Remote Control Not Operating on the Opener.

  • As with many such problems, the most common problem is the simplest one—the motor unit has been unplugged. Begin by checking the outlet where the door opener is plugged in, and make sure the cord is plugged in all the way.
    • If that doesn’t solve the problem, then it’s time to check the door opener itself. Make sure that the switch is in the “on” position, and that there are no loose wires or damaged parts.

 

  • If other lights or electrical circuits are also not working, it may be that the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet powering the door opener circuit has tripped or burned out. In this case, you’ll need to reset the breaker or GFCI or replace the burned-out fuse. If the breaker or GFCI keeps tripping, it’s a sign that there is probably a short circuit somewhere in the system—possibly even in the garage door opener itself. You may need to call a professional to help identify and fix the problem.

Got Questions ?

Talk to our specialist on Garage Door Installation, Repairs & Maintenance to get the dream door YOU want.

Get Free Estimate
Jae's Anything Garage
Jae's Anything Garage

Garage Door Services St. Albert, Edmonton & Surrounding Areas.

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