A garage door opener makes life more convenient. It also improves security, adds value to your home and lowers the long-term maintenance costs. It can be a major hassle if you go to open your garage door and the opener doesn’t work. Let’s explore reasons why your garage door may fail to work.
Power Source
The first thing to check is whether the unit is getting power. If your opener plugs into an outlet, check that it’s plugged in and the power cord is in good condition. You should also check the battery. It will either be in the opener itself or a separate box mounted on the wall. These batteries typically require replacing every two years. If the opener still isn’t working, go to your electrical panel, and check the opener’s circuit breaker. If it’s tripped, you can reset it. If it trips again, don’t keep resetting it. Call us at BDK Door Company instead.
Remote Control
If you’ve been trying to open the garage door with a remote, try the switch in the garage instead. If that works, then your problem is with the remote. Dead batteries are the usual culprit. Test them and replace them as needed. If it isn’t the batteries, then it may be a problem with the signal or programming. First, check the remote antenna for damage. If the antenna is in good shape, reset the remote. If you’re not sure how, you’ll find instructions in the owner’s manual for your garage door opener.
Electromagnetic Interference
If your remote won’t work and you’ve ruled out the other problems, it could be electromagnetic interference from a device. It’s generally not possible to change the frequency on a garage door opener remote and can even be illegal. A garage door professional can help you identify the cause of the interference. There are ways to upgrade your system without replacing the opener itself. Many brands, for instance, have a conversion kit that upgrades the system to use dual frequencies.
Manual Lock
If the opener is making noise but the garage door doesn’t lift, someone may have engaged the manual lock. If you have the key, unlock it and see if you can manually open the door. If you can’t or don’t have the key, then you’ll need a garage door repairperson. You should also check that there are no obstructions that could block the door from opening.
Sensors
If the garage door is open and won’t close automatically, check the sensors. They’re on both sides of the garage door framing and typically 4 to 6 inches from the ground. If these sensors are dirty or somehow obstructed, it will prevent the opener from functioning. You should also note the indicator light. It should blink and then stay green when you try to close the door. If the light keeps blinking or doesn’t activate at all, it could be a bad sensor or sensor misalignment. It may also be a problem with the circuit board.
Springs or Cables
If you can hear the opener but the garage door is struggling to open or not opening at all, check the springs and cables. The spring should be above the door. They can stretch out over time or even break. You’ll typically notice if you have broken or malformed springs. The cables run from the bottom of the garage door and attach to cable drums on both sides of the torsion spring shaft. These can snap over time because of wear and tear or corrosion. If the problem is your springs or cables, you’ll need a repairperson to come out and replace them.
Lubrication
If your garage door opener has either a belt or chain drive, it requires lubrication. This is one reason experts recommend annual maintenance for your opener. If you haven’t lubricated it in a while and fear this may be the issue, it’s best to call a professional. The drive may have seized, and your attempts to lubricate it may cause further damage.
Are You Experiencing Problems With Your Garage Door Opener?
BDK Door Company has been repairing garage doors in Montgomery and throughout the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Our company serves both residential and commercial clients. Our team installs garage doors and lifestyle screens as well, which includes traditional garage door repairs for homes but also overhead doors, fire doors, high-speed doors and overhead doors. Call us about our products and services and to schedule an appointment.
