Troubleshooting Your Garage Door: 7 Common Issues

Automated garage doors are a great convenience, but they can also be a source of frustration if they malfunction. Malfunctions can range from minor annoyances to serious safety hazards. Fortunately, many common issues with automated garage doors can be fixed easily at home. In this blog post, we’ll go over seven of the most common issues and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot them. 

Issue #1: Noisy Operation

If your garage door is making an unusual amount of noise while it’s opening or closing, it likely needs lubrication. Locate the rollers and tracks that support the door and apply a good quality lubricant designed for use on garage doors. This should help reduce friction and quieten any excessive noise coming from your door. 

Issue #2: Remote Not Working Properly

If your remote isn’t working correctly, check the batteries first. Make sure you’re using fresh batteries with enough power to send a signal to your garage door opener receiver. You may need to reprogram your remote if replacing the batteries does not solve the issue. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this properly. 

Issue #3: Garage Door Won’t Open or Close Completely

If your garage door stops partially open or closed, then one of the safety sensors may be blocked or misaligned. Check both sensors located near either side of the bottom of your garage door for any obstructions that could prevent them from communicating with each other properly. Clear away any debris and ensure that both sensors are aligned correctly with each other so they don’t interfere with each other’s signals.  

Issue #4: Photo Eye Sensor Problems

The photo eye is a light beam that travels 30cm above the ground from one side of the garage door frame to the other. If something is in the way of the door closing, the photo eye detects it and the door automatically reopens. This is a critical garage door security feature. It is also a common source of problems.

The photo eye sensors can become out of sync with one another and require adjustment. To check if the light beam is level and the sensors are in line with each other, use a piece of string and a carpenter’s level. If not, the sensors can be adjusted by loosening the adjustment screw, moving them to the correct position, and tightening the screw again.

Dirt on the photo eye sensors is another common issue. Simply wipe any dirt from the sensor eye on both sides of the door with a soft, clean cloth and a mild glass cleaner. This should be done at least once a year, or whenever they become dirty. If the sensors are scratched, they should be replaced.

Issue #5: Door Will Not Reverse When Obstructed

If you find that your automatic garage door will not reverse when obstructed (as it should), then it’s likely due to an issue with its internal reversing mechanism or force sensitivity settings being too high or too low respectively. To correct this problem, you’ll need to consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to adjust these settings accordingly.  

Issue #6: Problems with Springs and Hinges

Garage door springs and hinges are the heavy-duty hardware that allows the garage door to open and close. Springs can rust, become damaged, or wear out, resulting in a variety of potentially dangerous issues.

Garage doors that close with a loud thud frequently have a spring problem. Garage door spring and hinge repair, replacement, and adjustment necessitates the use of specialized tools and knowledge. For assistance, contact a garage door repair specialist.

Issue #7: Dead Garage Door Motor

Finally, if all of the preceding steps have been completed successfully, it is possible that your garage door motor has burned out. If this is the case, make sure it is replaced as soon as possible. 

Wrapping Up

No matter what type of automated garage door system you have installed in your home, there are bound to be times when it malfunctions in some way or another—it’s just part of owning a remote garage door. The good news is that many common issues can be fixed quickly and easily with the help of a garage door repair specialist.