A garage door opener is a motorized device that allows your garage door to open and close. Most garage door openers are operated by either a switch on the garage wall or by a remote control operated by the owner. A quality garage door opener provides safety, convenience, and peace of mind. There are several reasons why a garage door opener may malfunction. Thankfully, most garage door opener problems are pretty easy to understand and fix. Here are some of the most common garage door opener problems we come across:
The wall switch or remote control not working
If you are unable to operate the garage door using the wall switch or the remote control, it could be due to power disruption. This can happen if the opener is unplugged or the breaker, fuse, or ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet has tripped or burned out. As a first step, you should check if the opener is plugged in and that the power outlet is working. If the GFCI outlet or circuit breaker has tripped, you will have to call an electrician to identify the root cause and repair the problem. If you are unable to diagnose the problem, it is best to call your garage door repair company.
A worn-out belt or chain
Garage door openers depend on the belt or chain drivers to transfer power from the motor to the garage door. If the belt or chain is worn-out or damaged, the garage door will make more noise than usual when it opens or shuts. If the belt or chain is broken, the garage door will not move at all. Sometimes, the belt or chain gets stuck or becomes loose, which also can cause problems. A broken or worn-out belt or chain should be replaced promptly.
Faulty photo eye sensors
Faulty photo eye sensors can cause garage doors to not close all the way or not stop at all. These sensors detect obstructions in the garage door’s path before allowing the gate to shut. The easiest way to check if there is a problem with the photo eye sensor is by placing an object in the path of the door and then closing the door. Ideally, the sensor should detect the obstruction, and the door should not hit the object. It should reverse when it detects something in its path. A faulty sensor can be a major safety hazard and should be repaired/replaced immediately.
Worn-out or broken springs
If the garage door spring becomes worn out, it is important to have it replaced at the earliest. It is best to replace all of the springs at once. If the spring system breaks, you will be faced with expensive repairs.
Obstructions between the door opener and sensors
It is important to make sure that there are no obstructions between the sensors and the openers and that the sensors can easily see through. The sensors should be aligned properly and placed closer to the eye level. Anything that can interfere with the optimal operation of the should be removed.
Garage door opener that is too old
If your garage door opener is too old, you should have it replaced before you suddenly find yourself locked out of the garage. In case the garage door is over 10-15 years old, chances are that the openers are out of date and do not have modern features.
If you are facing any of these problems with your garage door, get in touch with our team right now. Our experienced technicians will be able to fix the problems and extend the life of your garage door opener.
