How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Garage Door That Won’t Open Or Close
There are a few things you can do to help you troubleshoot and fix a garage door that won’t open or close. A couple of the common problems include cables, rollers, springs, keypad, button, switch, signal, and the photo eye sensor. It’s important to remember that if any of these are defective, you will need to replace them.
Photo eye sensors can become obstructed by mud, leaves and other yard debris and create garage door problems
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the hassle of an inoperable garage door. One of the easiest tasks to perform is cleaning the photo eye sensors in the vicinity of your garage. The photo eyes are typically located on either side of the garage door. You can accomplish this by placing a small box or boxed up box on the sensor and crushing it a few times.
If you aren’t into fixing your own hardware, you may want to consider hiring a professional for maintenance. A professional can also replace bent brackets or garage door springs. There are numerous websites out there that provide a list of recommended repair companies.
The first step is to perform a sweeping inspection of your garage door to identify potential sources of obstruction. It’s also a good idea to wipe the track with a damp rag every so often. In some cases, dirt can get caught on the tracks and impede the movement of your door.
It’s also a good idea to check your circuit breaker. An inoperable garage door is usually the result of a power outage. To ensure your power is restored, plug in your opener to a working outlet.
The most important step is to clean your photo-eye sensors. Use a lint free cloth to clear out the dust and dirt. Doing so will make your opener work in tip-top shape.
In addition to removing debris from the photo-eye sensors, it’s a good idea to periodically check and wipe the track to ensure it’s clean. Another thing to remember is to keep your garage door closed. This is a safety measure that will prevent it from closing on you. Besides, a locked up door will be an inconvenience to boot.
Broken springs
A broken garage door spring can be a real safety hazard for any family with children or pets. In order to avoid an accident, you should take your time when opening or closing the door.
There are two kinds of springs for your garage door: extension and torsion. Extension springs are the ones that run along the rails and counterbalance the weight of the door when it is closed. Torsion springs are the ones that are mounted on the wall above your garage.
The most obvious sign that your spring has gone bad is when it makes a loud bang. However, it may be more difficult to determine when the spring has actually been damaged. You can also get a better idea of its condition by observing the garage door.
Broken springs can cause the doors to move or jam. This is a major problem for many people. If your door is not opening and closing properly, you should call a service technician to check out the springs.
A broken torsion spring is also a dangerous hazard. It may not be broken, but the spring is too stretched and can make the doors sluggish. To fix this problem, you will need to unwind the spring and remove the hardware.
Another sign that your springs are faulty is a thumping or scraping sound. This could indicate that the spring is worn out or in need of repair.
To open a garage door with a broken spring, you will need to lift the door using your legs. Be sure to use good posture and a heavy hand.
Using a lubricant can help. You can apply a small amount to the spring to prevent it from wearing out.
Broken rollers
If your garage door will not open and close, it may be due to broken rollers. This is a common problem and you should be aware of it. You should also know how to replace your rollers.
Before you can decide if it’s time to replace your rollers, you should first make sure they are not stuck. Broken rollers can cause the door to bind in the track.
To correct this, you should lubricate your rollers. In addition to preventing them from sticking, lubrication will help the door to open smoothly.
Once you have removed the blockage, you can then adjust the position of your roller. Do this by placing your rollers in the proper position and gently tapping them into place.
Next, check your track for any damaged parts. This can include the brackets holding the sensors. If there are any, you can lubricate them with white lithium grease.
Make sure you clean any debris off of your garage door track. If you don’t do this, it can lead to the tracks becoming rusted.
It’s important to have a qualified garage door repair person look at your broken rollers. He or she will be able to identify the problem and recommend the best solution.
When you have a broken roller on your garage door, you should avoid trying to open or close the door yourself. This can result in a dangerous situation. A professional can fix this quickly and safely.
Finally, you should check your power source. Problems with the power source can be caused by a fuse or a GFCI outlet. There are also ways to re-set your circuit breaker.
A broken roller on your garage door can be fixed using a hammer or rubber mallet. The track must be straightened to ensure that your door will open.
Broken cables
If your garage door won’t open or close, you may have a broken cable. The cables are essential parts of your door’s counterbalancing system.
Cables are made of long strands of metal. They transfer the lifting force from the springs to the bottom brackets of your garage door. Broken cables can cause uneven lifting, which makes the door fall when you open it.
Broken cables are often caused by wear and tear or by damage to pulleys. They can be replaced by a trained technician. However, if you do it yourself, you can risk serious injury.
A common repair involves removing the old cable from the drum. Then, reattaching a new cable around a peg at the bottom of the door. Unless you are a trained garage door technician, you should not try to replace the cable yourself.
Another common repair involves repairing the broken spring. When the spring breaks, the tension on the cables is transferred to the opposite side of the door. This means the door can get stuck halfway in the opening.
A broken spring is usually caused by corrosion or a problem with the pulley bearings. These problems can accelerate the wear and tear of the cable.
Other causes of broken cables include improper track alignment, slack in the cable, or user error. Before repairing a cable, check to ensure that the track is in a proper position.
Some broken cables can also be caused by rubbing against other hardware, such as the drum or the door. Rubbing will increase the friction between the cables and other hardware, which will speed up the wear and tear of the metal strands.
Replace the opener
If your garage door won’t open or close, you might need to replace the opener. Fortunately, repairing or replacing your door is a relatively inexpensive and easy process.
First, check your breaker panel. The service panel should be in the “on” position. If the garage door opener circuit breaker is tripped, then you’ll need to reset the breaker. Once you’ve done that, your opener will be operational again.
Next, check the safety sensors. These sensors can be obstructed by foreign objects or flower pots. You can clean the sensors with a mild cleaning solution. It’s also a good idea to inspect the door tracks at least twice a year. Objects on the track can prevent your opener from closing properly.
Finally, make sure your remote is working. A broken antenna on the remote can be a nuisance, but a functioning one is essential.
If the garage door won’t open or close, then the problem is most likely a sensor. Make sure all of the sensors are in the proper position and aligned. Sometimes, an old or dirty photo eye will prevent your opener from opening.
Another problem is a loose power cord. This can lead to a number of problems, including your opener not working. One way to fix this is to reconnect your emergency release.
In addition to a loose power cord, the wiring in your opener may be faulty. It’s a good idea to consult the owner’s manual for your model.
You may also need to adjust your sensitivity settings. Too high or too low of a setting can cause your opener to malfunction.
For the best results, it’s best to have a professional perform any repairs. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find top-rated professionals near you.
