When your garage door won’t open and you’re attempting to get your car in or out into the open road, it may be a massive pain. After all, your garage door only has one job: to open and close. But don’t panic; we’ll walk you through every step of the process and show you how to fix a garage door that won’t open.
Why Won’t My Garage Door Go Up?
Your garage door may not be opening properly for a variety of reasons. You may need to replace part or all of your garage door if it doesn’t open all the way. Contact a professional garage door firm that understands your door manufacturer to fix a garage door that isn’t opening.
The following are some of the most typical reasons why your garage door won’t open:
Tension Springs Have Been Broken
One of the most typical reasons for a garage door not opening is a broken spring. Tension springs in garage doors store mechanical energy that governs garage door movement. The tension springs may become weakened with time, resulting in the garage door not working.
The weight of the garage door is countered by garage door springs, which allows the door to open and close smoothly. Both manual and automatic garage door systems have these springs. Two torsion springs run horizontally across the door’s width, while two extension springs lift and lower it along the track.
Check the tension springs for damage regularly. Broken tension springs are unavoidable in older garages, but they are risky and should be handled with caution.
If your garage door’s tension springs are broken, proceed with caution when inspecting it. You could damage the garage door or injure yourself if you try to fix it alone because a garage door weighs over 200 pounds. Garage doors with damaged tension strings might fall open unexpectedly, posing a risk to you and your family.
Replace your garage door springs by hiring a professional garage door inspector. Professional garage door installers have the necessary knowledge and equipment to execute the job safely.
Track Is Not Aligned Properly
The cables physically move the door when the automatic garage door opener is turned on, while the strings govern its pace. The metal tracks maintain the garage door in place and aid in the operation of the mechanism. For the garage door to open and close properly, the tracks must be straight and even at all times.
It’s possible that a crooked door that jerks about or makes grinding noises has come loose from its track. As the misalignment increases, the garage door may eventually stop operating.
Attempt to correct a misalignment before it becomes a problem. Look for loose nuts and bolts around the track while inspecting your garage door every year. To prevent corrosion, apply a silicone-based lubricant to the track and components.
The garage door’s movement could be slowed by a tiny misalignment on the track. If any of the tracks are bent, the garage door will make a grinding or whining noise as it moves. The track on your garage door may be broken if it won’t open or close. In that situation, your garage door system may need to be changed.
Photo Eye Is Out of Alignment
The garage door’s photo eye is a safety sensor. Its job is to detect anyone or anything blocking the door. There could be a problem with the picture eye if you hear a clicking noise and see a light flash from the garage door opener.
Because photo eyes are so sensitive, there are a variety of reasons why they might be out of alignment. To realign your picture eyes, try the following remedies:
1. Clean the photo eye
Dirt and dust can clog the sensor, causing the garage door to become stuck. The picture eye is programmed to respond promptly to any obstruction in the garage door’s path as a safety precaution. The garage door will remain open if the photo eye detects anything in its path, even a speck of dust or dirt. Test the garage door after cleaning the picture eye with a towel or tissue.
2. Check the wiring of the photo eyes
For most doors, the photo eye is four to six inches off the ground. Due to heavy rainstorms, hungry pests, and excessive use, the chord linked to the eye could be broken. Examine the cord linked to the eye for rips or water damage. You’ll need to replace the photo eye sensor if the wires are broken.
3. Remove larger obstructions
Two components of the photo eye are aligned face-to-face across each side of the garage door. A pea-sized LED laser beam is delivered from one end of the garage door to the other, identifying people or anything in its path. The garage door will not open if something is blocking it. Remove the impediment from the photo eye’s path. Call in a service technician to replace the hardware if the object damaged the photo eye.
‘Check the LED light on each side of the sensor
Check to see whether the photo eye is dusty if the lights are turned on. The photo eye could be damaged if one of the lights flickers or goes off. Move your palm over the faulty sensor to see if the light changes. To try to resuscitate the LED sensor light, adjust the pivot bracket. Reinstall the sensor after the light has been turned back on.
Disconnected or Broken Remote Control
A wall-mounted panel or a remote control are used to operate an automatic garage door. All you have to do to open your garage door is press a button on the panel or use the remote control.
To open or close the garage, the remote control transmits a signal to the garage door opener.
It’s conceivable that your garage door remote control is faulty if it won’t open. Here are some methods for troubleshooting your remote:
To get into range of the garage door, perform the following: Your remote control’s sensor may be out of range from the garage door. Try using the remote as you get closer to the door.
- Fix the antenna: It’s possible that the antenna has been broken or that the signal has been obstructed. Make sure your sensor’s antenna is visible and dangling from the motor to check if it’s operating.
- If the garage door opens by pressing the buttons on the wall-mounted panel, the batteries in the garage door remote control may need to be replaced. A 3-volt lithium battery or a 12-volt battery will be required for your remote control. You may need to reset your remote after replacing the battery.
- Reprogram the remote: Your garage door system’s remote control must be programmed. Reprogramming instructions can be found in the user handbook for your remote control.
- Install an app: You might download an app that links your garage door to your phone. You won’t need a remote control if you can control the garage door from your phone.
- Turn off the lock feature: If the light on your door control panel is blinking, press and hold the “lock” button to turn it off. If you need to reactivate the lock functionality, press and hold the “lock” button.
- Check the door control wiring: If your garage door won’t open despite responding to the remote control and the wall-mounted panel, check the wiring on the garage door’s control. Disconnect the two wires from the motor and unplug the opener. Reset all remote controls and reconnect your machine to the power source. Use the remote control to test your garage door.
Reset the garage’s access code and delete the remote from memory if your remote garage door opener is lost or stolen. By resetting the access code, anyone who has stolen or found the remote will be unable to get entrance to your home. You’ll have to configure a replacement garage door remote with the new access code when you buy it.
Look on the side of the garage door unit for the manufacturer’s name and model number if you need to replace your garage door remote control. Look for a new remote online or contact the manufacturer of your garage door for a replacement. You might also buy a universal garage door opener that you can program to your garage.