Garage door openers rely on a set of components to function. These include a motor, drive mechanism, sensors, and a remote control. If any of these are compromised, the entire thing shuts off or malfunctions.
For example, even a small obstruction could result in the door reversing before/after hitting the floor.
A garage door opener is a device that remotely opens and closes the garage door to provide access to a covered parking space. Some of its key components include the motor, drive mechanism, remote control, and safety sensors.
The motor provides the power to lift and lower the door. Depending on the model, the motor is either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current).
The drive mechanism is the component that transmits the motor’s power to the door. There are three types of drive mechanisms: chain (uses a metal chain), belt (uses a rubber belt), and screw drive (uses a threaded steel rod) mechanisms. Among the three, a belt drive makes for the quietest operation.
Pressing the button on the remote control, wall switch, or smartphone app sends a signal to the motor. The motor activates the drive mechanism to move the door along the tracks, while the sensors continuously check for obstruction.
Safety sensors detect obstructions in the door path. If it does, the sensor stops the door from opening/closing to prevent accidents.
To program your garage door opener, follow the steps below:
Garage door opener issues usually stem from interference or motor problems. These result in issues like the door reversing before/after hitting the floor, the door opening or closing halfway, or outright failure to open/close.
A garage door opener that reverses before or after fully closing could indicate obstruction. Look around the door for anything that might block it, like stones or wood. If you can’t find anything, you should adjust the close limit switch by referring to the opener’s manual for the specific instructions.
Inspect the power door lock as well as the tracks and rollers if the door stops opening halfway.
If you have an automatic garage door lock, check if it’s unlocked when you open the garage door. Your opener’s manual should have specific instructions on how to unlock it.
Check if the tracks and rollers are bent and jamming the door. The door could be out of adjustment, making it kind of cock eyed. Fix them if the damage is minor or replace them if the damage is severe.
Inspect the power supply if the garage door opener isn’t working as intended. Ensure it’s plugged in and the breaker is properly working. If it’s not an electrical issue, check the door lock/deadbolt to see if they’re stopping the opener.
Similarly, extremely low temperatures may freeze the garage door opener, preventing it from working. Use a hot air source to melt the snow/ice.
Lastly, a garage door opener with a broken spring won’t work. Immediately change a damaged spring, as it can be dangerous.
If resetting the garage door opener doesn’t fix the issues, you can manually open the door either from inside or outside the garage.
To manually open a garage inside, follow the steps below:
To manually open a garage outside, follow the steps below:
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.