Reasons Why Garage Door Openers Break

Garage door openers are mechanical devices that are subject to wear and tear over time. Unfortunately, even the most reliable garage door openers break from time to time.

The most common garage door problems include:

• Motor wear and tear
• Wiring or circuitry damage
• Remote control malfunctions
• Broken springs or cables
• Incorrectly adjusted force settings
• Poorly installed opener
• Obstructions in the garage door track

Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting: Instructions

Discover how to diagnose and troubleshoot your garage door opener issues with our easy-to-follow guide. Get your door back on track and avoid costly repairs.

Diagnosing

How to determine whether it’s the garage door opener:

1. Check Your Door First: Pull the emergency release cord with the door closed. If it opens and closes smoothly, then there's likely an issue with the opener.
2. Look for Misalignment: Check for misalignment or broken springs.
3. Listen for Strange Noises: A clear sign your garage door opener is not working is strange sounds coming from it when in operation.
4. Check Your Circuit Breaker: Ensure that the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet powering your opener hasn't tripped or burned out.
5. Replace Worn-Out Torsion Springs: When springs wear out or break, they can't lift garage doors.

Troubleshooting

Some ways to troubleshoot a faulty garage door:

1. Check the Power Source: Is the opener plugged into a working power outlet? Are all wires securely attached?
2. Check the Remote Control: Perhaps the remote control battery is flat?
3. Inspect the Motor Unit: Open the motor unit and check for broken parts or disconnected wires.
4. Examine the Track: Are there dents, damage, or obstructions that stop the garage door from moving smoothly?
5. Reset Your Opener: You may need to reset your unit if something disrupts its normal operating cycle.

Costs of Doing It By a Pro vs. By Yourself

The cost of repairing or replacing modern garage door openers varies significantly based on the type of opener, the complexity of the repair or replacement, and the labor associated with hiring an experienced technician.

Pro

Hiring a garage door opener repairman in North California ranges from $250 to $500, depending on the complexity of the repair. The upside is that professionals know how to repair a garage door opener, and their work comes with a warranty.

Yourself

Doing garage door motor repairs yourself will cost much less since most basic tools are relatively inexpensive. In Northern California, parts and supplies can range from $50 to $400.

Other Things to Consider

If you need a new garage door opener and want to make an informed decision, look no further than our installation guide. Here's how to perform a new garage door opener installation.

Tools Required

You'll need the following tools for a garage opener repair:

• Screwdriver
• Socket wrench set
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Ladder
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Voltage tester

Safety Measures

Here are a few safety considerations to bear in mind:

1. Disconnect the power source before beginning any repairs.
2. Wear protective eyewear and gloves.
3. Ensure no one is standing beneath the garage door and nothing is lying on the garage floor below you while you are working.
4. Only use manufacturer-approved replacement parts compatible with your garage door opener model.
5. Replace any worn or damaged components immediately, such as rusted rollers or screws.
6. Test the system several times to ensure everything functions properly.

How to Extend the Lifetime of a Garage Door Opener

Some tips to help you get the most out of your garage door opener:

1. Check for warpage, wear, corrosion, or cracks in the hardware and electrical components at least once every few months and replace them when necessary.
2. Have the door opener serviced by a professional at least once a year.
3. Lubricate all moving parts regularly to reduce friction and wear and tear, including the garage door opener chain.
4. Make sure that all safety sensors are properly aligned and functioning correctly.
5. Conduct periodic testing of the emergency release feature.