TL;DR:
Garage doors often malfunction due to remote, sensor, mechanical, or structural issues. Many fixes—like cleaning sensors or reprogramming remotes—are DIY-friendly, but springs and cables require professional help. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and ensure smooth, safe operation.
- Garage Door Opener: Check battery, sensor cleanliness, remote range, and perform a hard reset if needed.
- Photo Eye Sensors: Clean and realign to restore proper function.
- Rollers and Tracks: Lubricate regularly; call a pro for repairs.
- Mechanical Components: Ensure motor is powered; adjust limit settings if needed.
- Springs: Look for stretching or breakage.
- Cables: Fraying or snapping is dangerous.
Garage doors are one of the most important features of a house. Because they are so intricately mechanical, they require regular maintenance to keep working properly. Thankfully, most garage door concerns require simple cleaning, adjustment, or repairs. You can prevent a broken garage door by being aware of the warning signs.
This guide will explain 6 of the most common garage door problems and how to diagnose and fix them. Whenever you’re in doubt or dealing with springs or cables, however, please call a professional! Expert garage door repair services will keep your door running smoothly and, more importantly, keep you safe.
6 Common Garage Door Problems
Opening and closing issues are the most common door concerns. However, this can happen for many different reasons. Whether you need to clean your safety sensors, reprogram the remote, or lubricate moving parts depends on the root cause. From cables to springs, we’ll cover the most common garage door issues and what type of repair each requires.
Garage Door Opener Problems
Best case scenario, you’re just having garage door remote problems. If your garage door opens only sporadically, the issue is likely a dying battery or smudged remote sensors. However, you should also double check that your remote is within range of the door. Also ensure that the physical lock on the garage door is open.
If none of these are the issue, you may need to do a hard reset and reprogramming of your opener. Refer to your owner’s manual for reprogramming instructions.
Garage Door Sensor Problems
Photo eye sensors sit at the bottom of the door track on each side of your garage door. If their sightlines misalign, the door may stop working. Dirt and smudges can also cause interference.
Gently wiping the sensors and aligning their brackets should help. Ensure an even sightline between both safety sensors to correct this issue.
Garage Door Roller and Track Problems
Rollers and tracks require regular lubrication to move smoothly and evenly unless you have a sealed bearing roller. If they loosen, get seals or weatherstripping in the way, or experience friction, you’ll have issues. Please call a garage door expert if your rollers or track require repair or replacement!
Mechanical Problems
Garage doors require many mechanical components to function correctly. If your garage door isn’t working at all, it could be a motor issue.
First, you should ensure that the motor is securely plugged in. Next, double check that the breaker has not tripped in a power outage. If these don’t help, the motor might be burnt out.
Garage doors also use up-limit and close-limit switches to determine when and how they move. If your garage door problems began at install, your switches may be set incorrectly or the wrong distance from the garage door. Close-force screws also require occasional adjustment to tell the door when to stop moving. Check your limit settings or call a professional for a garage door inspection.
Garage Door Spring Problems
Garage doors use spring coils under extreme tension to raise and lower. When strings stretch or break, expert replacement is necessary.
If your garage door uses torsion springs, the coils will be above the garage door. If your garage door uses extension springs, they’re on either side of the door. Your will be able to see stretching or breakage if your springs are having problems.
Garage Door Cable Problems
A snapped or misaligned cable is an incredibly dangerous garage door problem that requires expert repair. Cables bear the weight of the garage door and are necessary for safe functioning. If you notice any fraying, stretching, or other signs of wear, please seek professional assistance.
Troubleshooting Garage Door Problems
Garage doors are mechanically complicated and crucial to our daily life. Whether your garage door is making noises, moving incorrectly, or stuck, diagnosis and repair are necessary. Some regular maintenance, like lubrication, is safe to DIY. However, professionals are always the safest option for intense jobs like cable and spring replacement.
At Space Coast Garage Door, we understand every intricate component of garage doors. We’ll safely repair and replace parts as needed to keep your garage door running smoothly and evenly for years to come.