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Diagnosing and repairing a garage door that isn’t working may seem like it’s out of your wheelhouse. Some issues are relatively simple to fix, even for someone who might not feel so confident. Here, we’re sharing the most common garage door problems you may run into and how to fix them. 

Your transmitter isn’t working

It’s a problem that happens all too often: You push the button to your transmitter and your door won’t open or close. The most common reason for this? Dead batteries. If you suspect this is the case, check your wall transmitter. If it still works, your remote or car transmitter likely needs replacement batteries. Another reason your transmitter won’t work? You may simply be too far out of range.

In some rare cases, you may need to get a new transmitter. This may happen if they’re very old or have been damaged.

Your door won’t close all the way

If your garage door won’t close all the way or immediately opens back up, there’s likely an issue with your photo-eye. That’s the invisible beam on either side of your garage door that prevents it from closing on something or someone. If there’s nothing noticeable in the way, your photo-eye could just be dirty. Clean your photo-eye with a soft cloth and gentle surface cleaner, and try to sweep any excess dirt out of the way.

Your door won’t open

Just as frustrating as a garage door that won’t close is a garage door that won’t open. This could be for a few reasons:

• Your operator has no power: One of the most common reasons for this is that it’s unplugged. Check to see if that’s the case, then simply plug it back in.
• Your door is off-track: If your door hits some bumps or gets stuck while it’s opening or closing, it’s likely off its track. The simple solution to this typically requires tightening some loose screws and hardware. 
• Your cables or springs are broken: If you’ve ruled out all other reasons your garage door won’t open, your cables or springs may be broken. If this is the case, you’ll want to call in a licensed garage door technician, as this should be considered a dangerous issue not to be resolved on your own.

Your garage door is making a lot of noise

A garage door that creaks, squeaks, and grinds can be really annoying — and a sign of friction. This sound is perfectly normal and happens over time after lots of use. All you need to quiet things down is lubrication. Spot the noisy areas and apply it directly. 

Also check the track and screws to make sure nothing is loose. Simply glossing over these issues with lubricant can make the issue more serious over time.

Still not sure what the problem is? Call a garage door professional

While there are a lot of common garage door issues that you can fix on your own, that won’t always be the case. If you’re still not sure why your Denver-area garage door isn’t working correctly, leave it to the experts at American Garage Door. From preventative maintenance to 24-hour emergency repair service, we’re ready to help. Contact us today!