Garage Door Opener Problems: How to Deal With These Issues

Do you ever find yourself struggling to open your garage door because the garage door opener is faulty? It is a typical issue that can be quite annoying, especially when you are in a hurry. However, there are some potential reasons for your garage door opener to stop working properly. Simple things like a broken roller or a loose chain could be the cause. Or, it could be an issue with the opener itself. Whatever the cause, it is important to fix the problem immediately for your convenience and safety.

Never ignore a faulty garage door opener. You do not always need professional help to fix some simple garage door opener issues. However, by troubleshooting, you can either fix the problem or make informed decisions when talking to a professional. In the long run, it will save you time and money. Our specialists at Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE have prepared these tips on troubleshooting malfunctioning openers effectively.

How to Fix Common Garage Door Opener Issues

Issue: The garage door opener is not responding to the remote or the wall switch

A few factors could be causing your garage door not to budge when you press the remote or wall switch. It is most likely that the power source has been disrupted somehow. One of the most common problems with garage door openers is accidental unplugging. It typically happens when cords become loose or dislodged. It is usually a very simple problem to fix. So first, check that the cord is plugged into an outlet.

The circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet that powers the garage door opener may have tripped or burned out. That could be why other lights or electrical circuits in the garage are not working. You will need to reset the breaker or GFCI or replace the burned-out fuse.

However, repeatedly tripping circuit breakers or GFCIs is a sign of a circuit somewhere in the system. That problematic circuit could be in the garage door opener itself. Check if the door opener’s motor has burned out and stopped working. You need to fix it or call a garage door opener specialist.

Issue: The door closes halfway and then goes up

There are three common reasons your garage door may open correctly but fail to close completely:

1. The close-limit switch needs to be properly set.
2. You have dirty or misaligned sensors.
3. Your garage door system has damaged rollers or bent tracks.

 Let us delve more into these issues and their potential solutions.

Incorrect close-limit switch setting

A close-limit switch tells your door opener when to stop running when opening and closing. A wrongly set close-limit switch could prevent your door from closing or make it reverse or pull back up when you try to close it. A close-limit switch is an important safety device for all garage door openers. It helps prevent the garage door from closing on people. Therefore, adjusting your close-limit switch can help stop your garage door from behaving erratically.

Dirty or misaligned sensors

There are electronic eyes near the bottom of both door tracks. They need a clear line of sight to work properly. Unfortunately, leaves or debris can occasionally block the sensors. The garage door will close smoothly to the floor when these sensors have a clear line of sight. You may read our separate feature on ensuring your garage door sensors keep you safe.

However, when something blocks their line of sight or is out of alignment, the door may fail to close or stop and reverse. In most cases, flashing lights will indicate the problem. Check the sight path between the electronic sensors for any obstructions. Repeated failure may be due to vibrations from the door in the tracks. That may cause the sensors’ brackets to become loose and require realignment.

Damaged rollers or bent tracks

While it is not as common, damaged or, rusty rollers can cause your door to catch when trying to open or close it. You can fix this issue by replacing damaged rollers and lubricating them with silicone lubricant. In some cases, the tracks may have shifted or bent, preventing the door from moving properly.

Garage Door Repair Near Me

Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE is a leading provider of garage door services in the Omaha and Lincoln, NE area. We offer high-quality garage door solutions, including garage door opener installation and garage door opener repair, overhead garage door installation, and garage door repair. We accept repairs or installation for all brand openers, including LiftMaster garage door openers. Call us today for free estimates for all your garage door Omaha needs.