It can be a surprise, and an annoyance, when your garage door suddenly stops working, but in most cases there’s an easy solution. Here are some common problems and quick troubleshooting fixes that will help you have your door up and running in no time.
Dead batteries
Your transmitters need batteries to work – plain and simple. And like all batteries, the ones in your transmitter will wear down over time. Check the transmitter located on the wall inside of your garage to see it still works. If the does, then your hand-held transmitter – or the one you keep in your car – may need a battery.
Photo eye issues
Any door installed after 1993 has to have two tiny photo eyes installed on either side of the garage as a safety measure. If the eyes detect movement under the door’s path, the door won’t close. When the photo eyes get dirty, you may notice your garage door opening normally, but not closing when you press the remote. The reason could be that your photo eyes are dirty, or out of alignment. They can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild cleaner, and then check to see if the eyes are aligned in the same direction.
Door track is out of alignment
The metal track on which your door runs needs to be aligned properly in order for the door to move. Gaps between the rollers and rail, or bends in the rails, indicate a problem. If the door still moves, however, you can loosen the screws that hold the track to frame, then gently tap the track back in place with a rubber mallet. Then re-tighten the screws after you have the track aligned.
Transmitter
It’s not always a dead battery when it comes to your transmitter. In some cases, you’re simply out of range for your transmitter to work. If you know you’re in range and the door still won’t open, check the antenna hanging from the motor inside your garage. Make sure it isn’t damaged or has anything obstructing it. If there’s damage, call your garage door technician.
Manual lock is engaged
Many doors come with manual locks – particularly older models – and if the motor runs while the door doesn’t open or close, the manual lock may have been accidentally engaged.