Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting Steps
Is your garage door or motor acting funny? Are you experiencing problems with your garage door and are not sure where to start in order to fix the problem? As a homeowner, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot your garage door issues before needing to call in a professional to help. Some issues with garage doors are fairly minor and can be addressed and resolved in a few minutes. Other problems, however, may require a garage door repair service. Try the following troubleshooting steps listed below to address and fix your garage door malfunction properly.
Step 1: Replace the Batteries
This is the first and most obvious step you will want to try if you are having issues with your garage door. You may need to replace the batteries in both the garage door remote, as well as the keypad lock on the side of the garage. Without working batteries in these devices, you will be unable to open your garage. If it has been a while since you have last changed the batteries or you cannot remember the last time you changed the batteries, this may be the source of your problem.
Step 2: Clean and Check the Garage Door Photo Eyes
Prior to 1993, garage doors were built without movement and object detection sensors. This meant that one could run under the garage door while it was moving and the garage door would ultimately keep moving, no matter what. Now, for nearly three decades, any garage doors that are made must come with these specialized sensors.
Sometimes, interference that is not actually hazardous can cause the garage door’s sensor to set off and the garage door to stop. The photo eyes of a garage sit on either side of the garage door and transmit an invisible beam to one another. If something crosses in the path of this invisible beam, the garage door will stop. Cleaning the eyes on either side of your garage door can help alleviate the issue. Sometimes, if dirt and debris gather on either of the eyes, the object detection mechanism may be falsely triggered and the garage will stop.
If you clean the photo eyes and still find that your garage door is malfunctioning, it is possible that the photos eyes are misaligned. If the photo eyes cannot accurately transmit the invisible beam to one another due to a misalignment, then the photo eye is likely to default to a stopping position. A misalignment may be mistaken as an object in the beam’s path. You can check the alignment of the eyes by using a laser pointer of some sort to shine a beam to the other side and see if it matches up with the other eye.
Step 3: Check the Track Alignment
Track alignment issues are common with garage doors. Any tracks that seem bent or out of place can cause serious issues. Since the weight of the garage door is so heavy, over time, the beams and tracks of the garage door may need to be repaired, reinforced, or replaced. Track alignment issues can range from minor to severe. It is important to hire a professional to help you address any track alignment issues in order to not put your safety at risk.
Step 4: Check for Broken Springs or Cables
Broken springs or cables can also be a source of grief for garage door owners. These sorts of garage door issues can come on suddenly or be the result of wear and tear over time. If your garage door suddenly stops working, you hear a loud noise, or experience other sounds or issues coming from your garage door, it is possible that a broken spring or cable it to blame.
Step 5: Look for Indicators on the Garage Door Motor
Some garage door models will have indicators on the garage door motors that will inform users when there are issues, as well as the source. Check to see if your particular garage door model is flashing any lights or making other indicators that there is an issue. You may need to consult your garage door owner’s manual for more ideas or for what steps to take if you do notice any lights or indicators on your garage motor.