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Troubleshooting Common Garage Door Problems

Garage doors may look like simple devices whether they are manual type or automatic garage doors but that is hardly the case. For most repairs with them it takes a well-trained garage door service person with a tool set specifically designed for working on them to get the job done right. It’s also not very safe to work on garage doors and their associated parts if you don’t know what you are doing because it can be dangerous (spring tension on the cables is the most dangerous hazard). Does this mean you automatically call your garage door service tech the minute you notice your garage door’s not working right? The answer to that would be no.

As complicated a device as a garage door is you should still try a few easy troubleshooting steps yourself to see if you can resolve or identify the problem with it. This should only be undertaken when there are no obvious signs of mechanical failure such as loud noises when the garage door is operating, frayed cables, broken springs or a garage door that does not open or close smoothly. Make sure you never try to keep opening and closing a garage door that is obviously not working right.

Some Handy Garage Door Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some simple and easy troubleshooting steps that most anyone can do and they have the potential to save you some money on what could be an otherwise expensive garage door service call:

Never assume your remote is working

One thing you should never do when your garage door does not work when you press your remote (transmitter) is to assume that remote is functioning correctly. It could be out of batteries or simply malfunctioning. To see if the problem lies with your remote transmitter or your garage door try activating the wall mounted switch to see if it works the garage door properly. If it does then you have a problem with your remote not with your garage door. Also make sure you always have a set of fresh batteries in your vehicle for your remote transmitter at all times.
Make sure the safety sensors are not being accidentally activated

The safety sensors on your garage door are placed on them to keep people and objects from getting crushed when an automatic garage door is closing. These are very sensitive devices and it does not take much at all for them to activate and keep your garage door from working. Make sure you do not store anything to close to your garage door and keep the lenses on your safety sensors clean to avoid them being inadvertently activated.

A malfunctioning safety sensor will usually signal to you that it’s not working also. This is usually done in the form of some sort of quickly blinking light on the sensor that’s not working correctly. Replacing a defective safety sensor is probably one of the few repairs on a garage door that’s not that hard to do yourself as long as you know the make and model of your particular garage door that’s has the defective safety sensor.
Garage door keyless entry pad is not working

Having a keyless garage door override on the outside of your house is a great way for your kids to enter the garage or your landscapers to get out the yard tools they need. Over time though these switches will get worn down and stop responding when you go to use them. If you activate your keyless garage entry pad code and nothing happens, then once again you can use your wall mounted garage door switch on the inside of your garage to see if the problem lies with the keyless entry pad or there is a problem with your garage door system itself.
Ghosts are opening and closing your garage door

If your garage door starts opening and closing by itself it can be a little bit shocking at first. But before you pick up the phone and call ‘Ghostbusters’ there is probably a very simple non-supernatural explanation for this. Most likely someone in your neighborhood is using a garage door opener with the same frequency as yours. To resolve this all you need to do is call your garage door installation company or the manufacturer and they will help you reset your remote frequency or send you a remote with a different frequency from the one you have.
. Disconnect/override switch accidentally activated

Every automatic garage door has a disconnect/override switch that you can activate and then use to open and close your garage door in the event of a system malfunction or power loss. Make sure this switch has not been accidentally activated and is keeping your garage door from working. Yes something this simple can shut down your automatic garage door opener completely and keep it from working.

So make sure you check for these things before you call your garage door repair person and they charge you for something you could have easily corrected yourself.

If All Else Fails Call Your Local Garage Door Service Company

So what do you do if these troubleshooting steps are not solving the problem with your garage door? The answer to that is call a reputable garage door repair company. This should be done immediately without any further troubleshooting if you notice anything odd about your garage door’s working parts or the way it’s operating. In cases like these any repair that needs to be done is most likely well-beyond your level of comfort and experience.

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