4 Problems That Might Affect Your Garage Door Opener

Garage door openers are the central system to operate your door. However, garage door openers and their components can malfunction over time. While every garage door opener has its own problems, four common problems might affect your garage door opener. Here's a quick troubleshooting guide to help you understand how a garage door technician can help you.

1. The Garage Door Does Not Respond to the Remote or Switch

If your remote works but the switch doesn't, you should investigate the switch for any damage. The problem could either be the switch panel or the wires. Both problems will require replacement to ensure that any damaged or deteriorated components do not cause any more problems.

If the remote doesn't work, you should try some solutions to ensure that the remote is fully functional. Sometimes the remote is too far away from the sensors that pick up its signal. Try a few angles and positions to see if the problem resolves itself. If it doesn't, you should switch the batteries. The final solution is to buy a new remote if all these actions do not help.

If both the remote and switch don't work, you might have power issues. Check to see if the opener's circuit breaker in the electrical panel has tripped. If your system has a fuse box, call a technician to assess your electrical system. If both surge protection mechanisms are operational, examine the motor to see if it's still plugged in. If you cannot resolve the problem with these solutions, call a garage door technician to help you investigate the issue further.

2. The Door Reverses While It Closes or Doesn't Close Completely

Garage doors use a photo-eye sensor or equivalent mechanism to spot objects or people under the door when it closes. Any item that alerts the sensor kicks in the safety mechanism and the door reverses when it closes.

Thus, check if any items block the safety sensors, such as boxes, lawn chairs, or children's toys. The sensors are at the bottom of the opener unit, one on each side. If something does block the sensors, remove the objects and try operating the opener again. If the opener still doesn't work, call a qualified garage door opener technician for help.

3. The Door Generates Excess Noise as It Opens or Closes

This problem can result from several factors attributed to damaged or degraded components. Worn-out springs may generate a pop noise when the door opens and require replacement. Bent or misaligned tracks will strain the door operation, which can produce squeaks from the stress.

Dry components like rollers or the track can generate a squeak, which might also affect the door's operation. You can add some lubricant to the parts to revitalize them. Finally, rattling noises highlight loose components like screws, nuts, and bolts. These components only need to be tightened to stop the problem.

4. No Sound or Lights When You Use the Switch and Remote

If you use the switch or remote and see no light or hear any sound, the circuit board is the problem. Excess current, lightning strikes, or wear-and-tear can damage the circuit board and affect both the lights and sound. A replacement is the best option.

If the lights are the only dysfunctional part, the problem is the light socket. If you used lightbulbs with a higher wattage rating than the socket, you should downgrade to bulbs within the wattage range. Also, replace the socket if damaged.

If your garage door opener exhibits these problems, call a professional for help. Overhead Doors Unlimited, LLC, has the experience and knowledge to fix any garage door problem. Contact us now to have a technician visit your home as soon as possible.