Automatic garage door openers are modern conveniences that many homeowners cannot live without. When your garage door opener suddenly stops working properly, there might be a few things that have gone wrong. You might be afraid of a hefty repair bill that comes along with repairs. However, you don’t need to immediately call a professional when this happens. Oftentimes, you can just do a little tweaking and some do-it-yourself to fix these problems.

Doing things by yourself can potentially save you extra money. Troubleshooting these common garage door issues does not need a lot of work. These only require some testing and adjusting on your side. Try these simple solutions for the common problems before calling a professional.

Problem 1: Garage door does not close properly.

This is a security concern for many homeowners. A garage door that does not close properly can attract burglars. In this scenario, ensure that there aren’t any objects that are blocking the sensors at the bottom of the door. Obstructions on the sensors, including spider webs, will not close the door properly.

Another way is to check the garage door motor. When the garage door opener does not fully close, the lights will flash in a certain pattern indicating what the problem is. Get your manual and look up the flashing patterns.

Take a look at the close limit switch and see if it needs any adjustment. Make proper adjustments and test your door opener to see if everything works as it should. You might just need to do a little fine-tuning to make your garage door opener work properly.

If your garage door still does not close properly, disconnect the opener and try to open the door manually to check whether the door is binding.

Problem 2: The remote does not work.

If your door does not open with your remote, try opening it with your wall switch. If it opens and closes with the wall switch, chances are your remote control does not work. Ensure that you are holding it within the specific range and that the antenna is faced down.

Your first option is to replace the batteries on your remote. Then, check it if it works. If not, ensure that the remote is properly programmed. If the remote still does not function, you might to purchase a new one.

Problem 3: The motor will not stop running.

If your garage door closes properly but the motor unit keeps running, the limit switch needs to be adjusted. Do some simple tests by moving it away from the motor unit.

If this does not work, you might want to take a peek at the manual to see additional troubleshooting techniques for this problem. If not, you will need to call a professional for safety reasons.

Problem 4: The garage door won’t open with remote control and wall switch.

If your door opener does respond to both the remote control and wall switch, check the lights on the opener motor. If the lights are not on, then it is not receiving power. Ensure that the motor is connected to power and if the outlet is working. Check the circuit breaker or fuse to determine if you have an electrical problem.

After you have ruled out the electrical problem, look for the emergency release chain. Engage it by pulling the chain and use the door manually without the garage door opener.

Problem 5: Squeaky door.

Although your garage door opens and closes just fine, it creates squeaky noises to the point where your neighbors start complaining. This is usually caused by normal use of the garage door and is not a serious problem.

First, inspect the tracks and look for any debris that may be interfering with its movement. After clearing the tracks, apply a lubricant on the pulleys and hinges of your garage door. If the noise still persists, you can call a professional for a service.

Problem 6: Only the trolley carriage moves.

If you’ve activated the opener and only the trolley carriage moves, then you might need to replace the carriage assembly.

To install a new carriage, you have to separate the chain and slide off the old trolley. Then, replace it with a new trolley and reattach the chain. Adjust the tension accordingly afterwards.

Ensure that you test the garage door to ensure that everything works properly.

About the Author:
Kristy Jones is a DIY fan and enthusiast. She loves implementing life hacking topics especially about home improvements. She loves to declutter the home and would love to volunteer to help others live a clutter-free life. As the lead content curator for A Click Away Remotes, Kristy also contributes on writing other informative articles about basic architecture and house renovation.