There are a number or things that could cause your garage door to not open or close properly. If yours is giving you problems, you might think you need to call someone for garage door opener repair - and you might be right.
However, there are some things that you can easily check yourself to maybe get it working again without the need for a service call.
Click here to read more and understand the different problems and possible solutions.
Know What Causes a Garage Door Opener to Stop Working and When to Call for Garage Door Opener Repair Services
Garage door openers are something we rely on day in and day out without really thinking about it at all. Often times when they stop working, it happens suddenly and for no apparent reason. You may be wondering what might cause a garage door opener to quit working, if there's anything you can do about it yourself and when do you need to call for repair?
When a garage door won't open, it's usually a quick fix if you know what you're doing. For most situations, a repair person doesn't need to be called. There are a few things that could make a garage door stop working. If a sensor is obstructed or a remote won't work, the problem may be minor and inexpensive to fix. In fact, as far as "garage door opener sensor repair" goes, it's usually more of a minor 'tweak' than a repair that's needed, and something you can do yourself (*if* that's the only issue).
The article talks about troubleshooting a garage door opener which may be an obstructed sensor or a remote that doesn't work. We'll cover all of these things and more for you here.
Understand when you need to call for a garage door opener repair
Some things can be handled with no outside help, but sometimes it is better to call a professional. When it comes to garage door repair involving an opener that isn't working, there are some things that you can do yourself and a few other things that may require an expert. Before making a call for a garage door repair, here some things to check and keep in mind.
Quick Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting Guide
- Make sure your opener is plugged in, or has power coming to it
- If you're having trouble with the remote, make sure the car with the opener key is in range of the garage
- Turn off the power to the opener at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Wait five minutes and then turn the power back on. Alternatively, you could also simply unplug the unit from the outlet if it's easy to get to.
- If you have other garage door openers, test them one at a time to isolate the issue
- Check to see if anything is in the 'line of sight' of the sensors (or "photo eye"), located at the bottom of each side of the garage door tracks
- If the door is open and won't close, check if the automatic light sensor on your opener has been activated by shielding them from direct sunlight and trying again
Sometimes people will forget that they are able to manually open their garage door in order to get their car in or out, which we will cover below. However, if it turns out that you have a broken garage door spring, you may not be able to get the door open manually either.
Things that can stop a garage door opener from working
There are a variety of things that can prevent a garage door opener from working properly. There are several different parts that can be the culprit. Below, we have compiled a list of some of the most common garage door opener problems.
The Remote Control Doesn’t Work
If you have a remote control for your garage door, you may notice that it doesn’t work. Sometimes this problem can be fixed by replacing the batteries, but other times it requires you to replace the remote control entirely.
Also, garage door openers often depend on a radio signal to open and close a garage door. A different things can block or interrupt the radio signals that activate a garage door opener, preventing it from operating correctly. A common cause of a garage door not working is the signal being jammed by a rather new item that you may have nearby - an LED lightbulb.
For some reason, some LED lights jam the radio signals from activating the opener, preventing it from opening or closing the door. So if your garage door just recently stopped responding to your remote, find out if any LED lights have recently been installed. If so, try removing the lights and see if things work again. If things work, then you simply need to get a new lightbulb. If there is no change, then you know it is a different issue that might require a professional garage door repair service call.
If you find yourself frustrated by the low range on your garage door opener when standard LED light bulbs are present, you're not alone. However, there are some LED bulbs that are designed specifically for garage door openers, in order to decrease the complications that arise with traditional LED light bulb usage.
When the garage door won't open, you may have a problem with the motor, but there are other possible causes. The problem could be with the sensor, which will need to be inspected to see if it is dirty or damaged. If it is dirty, you might need to clean it with a dry cloth. You also want to make sure that the two sensors on opposite sides of the garage door are pointed directly at each other and that nothing is blocking the beam's line of sight.
The garage door motor runs, but the door won't open
A garage door is heavy. Garage door springs are the 'muscle' that allows the opener to use minimal effort to open and close it under control. A broken spring can make the task impossible for your opener. A garage door with a broken spring can also make it difficult to open the door manually and is definitely a cause for calling in a professional to take care of it for you.
Understanding the symptoms of when a garage door opener is about to stop working
If the door goes up with a jerky motion, if the opener stops abruptly during opening or closing, or if it sounds like the motor is struggling, then it's likely that the unit will need replacement soon. It's important to identify these symptoms as they are signs that the door opener will need replacement soon. Like so many things, it's best to recognize and catch these things early rather than wait until it's an emergency situation. All too often, garage door issues seem to happen at the most inconvenient time, and having your car stuck inside (or outside) of your garage is never a good thing.
If your garage door opener sounds like it's struggling, it probably is and you should have it checked out as soon as possible. If it needs to be replaced - replace it. On the other hand, it's possible that your garage door simply needs some basic maintenance such as lube or maybe changing out some broken or damaged rollers, which will be less costly than replacing the opener, and will prolong the life of your garage door.
What is the Average Life of a Garage Door Opener?
Garage door openers are expected to last 10 to 15 years on average. With so many garage door openers available, it is hard to say how long each specific garage door opener lasts for. A higher end brand (we recommend you find genuine LiftMaster garage door opener), which is likely going to last much longer than some no-name, knock-off brand that you might buy online (which also leaves you without the benefit of having professional garage door opener installation services).
Additionally, it depends on the garage door itself:
- How heavy is the door?
- Does it have the proper springs to do the lifting for the opener?
- Has the door been properly maintained?
- Are the rollers and hinges in good shape to make opening and closing as smooth as possible?
Signs That a Garage Door Opener Needs Repair or Replacement
Garage door openers are not meant to last forever. The average life expectancy is 10 to 15 years, but even that can vary depending on how often the garage door is used and the conditions in which it is used. Signs that a garage door opener needs repair or replacement include:
The Opener Makes Unusual Noises But the Door Doesn't Move
If the door is not moving, you may have a stripped gear in the motor. This is most common with older models or doors that haven't been properly balanced, meaning they've been doing more work (pulling more of the door's weight) than they are designed for.
Over time, anything mechanical will wear out, including the gear in a garage door opener. And while it's technically possible to replace the gear, there are many other moving parts in a garage door opener. If the gear failed on you, there is a good chance that other parts are also wearing out. That is why it is almost always better to simply replace the unit with a new garage door opener, rather than repairing garage door openers with this issue. The cost to repair garage door opener will be more than half the cost of having a brand new one, where you know all the parts and pieces are in perfect working order.
The Trolley Carriage Moves But Garage Door Doesn't Open
This may be a simple fix of simply locking the trolley to the J-arm. Re-engaging the trolley is easy. Just pull the emergency disconnect rope up and back toward the opener on most garage door systems to cause the trolley to snap back into place. If the trolley will not engage, it may be necessary to have a professional perform a system check.
Neither Remote Control nor Wall Switch Operates the Opener
If the remote doesn't work and the wall switch doesn't operate the opener, a power outage may have caused the malfunction. Verify that the opener has power by checking the circuit breaker panel. If the circuit breaker is on, the opener may be disconnected from the power. Disconnect the opener and plug it back in. If the problem is still present, there may be a loose or broken wire. A situation like this is probably on in which you should call in a professional to have a look.
When You Need Garage Door Opener Repair Service Near Me
Garage door openers are one of the most commonly used but overlooked mechanical devices in our every day lives. They are often used not only to get your car in or out of your garage, but as the primary way for us to get in and out of our homes, to the point where many of us don't even carry keys to our front doors anymore. When you consider that garage doors can weigh several hundred pounds, you start to appreciate what a workhorse this simple device is for us.
Despite this heavy use, they are expected to last for 10 to 15 years on average. When they stop working, it often happens suddenly and for no apparent reason, and you may be wondering what might cause a garage door opener to quit working, if there is anything you can do about it yourself and when you need to call for repair. We hope that the information provided above helps you do a bit of your own troubleshooting. By following the advice here, you can prevent the need for what might seem like a costly service call for something you can easily handle yourself.
On the other hand, if your garage door opener is truly at the end of its useful life, you really are better off calling in the professionals at Discount Door Service in Tucson for a properly installed, high quality unit that will work for you.
As an added benefit, new units, whether they be the quiet belt drive or even the less expensive chain drive wi-fi garage door openers, allow you to monitor and control your garage door via your smart phone, so you'll no longer need to turn around and go back home to make sure you remembered to close it.