Automatic garage door openers are a wonderful convenience, providing shelter for your investments and a protected entrance to your home. With great reliability, garage openers are frustrating when they break down unexpectedly. Luckily, most problems you face are an easy fix you can do yourself. Each model has its own quirks, so be sure to check your owner’s manual if the solution isn’t obvious. If your problems persist, consider enlisting garage door opener repair services.

Unresponsive Openers
Your press the button on your remote or wall mount and nothing happens. Most likely, your machine is not receiving power. Check the motor plug and make sure it hasn’t become loose. Check your home’s circuit breakers and the machine’s fuse for any problems. If your opener is battery operated, it’s time to change the battery.

Reverses after closing
Your garage door closes and then immediately begins to open again. This frustrating problem has a simple fix—adjust the close limit. For most units, you need to use a screwdriver to adjust the close limit located on the main track. Modern models feature adjustable knobs on the motor itself. Experiment until you find the appropriate length for the door to travel to close.

Fails to Close Fully
First thing, check your safety sensors. They may have become blocked or unaligned. If the problem persists, you need to adjust the close limit. If your opener flashes its lights rhythmically, it’s trying to communicate the problem to you. In this case, check your owner’s manual for a translation.

Fails to Open Fully
In this case, your limit is set too far out, leaving the door hanging over the entrance. If you have a manual limit switch, move it closer toward the motor.

The Opener makes noise, but does not work
You know your unit has power, but the door does not lift. Check the main track for any obstructions by pulling the manual release. See if it becomes stuck while you open and close it manually. If the door moves fluidly, the problem lies within the motor itself.

The typical American household opens and closes their garage door 1,500 times a year. Most machines have a lifespan of about 10,000 lifts. The first bit to wear out is the torsion spring, the long coil that runs inside the horizontal metal beam above your door. If suspect your old garage door is worn out, consider a garage door opener repair service.