Troubleshooting Common Garage Door Malfunctions
What in the world is wrong with that crazy garage door now? Do you ever feel this way, wondering what more can go wrong with your garage door or opener and being clueless as to how to fix the problem? These doors are out in all weather conditions and can take hard use, so it’s no wonder that they develop problems. In addition, a door opener unit contains a multitude of electronic parts that can start to malfunction. It’s no wonder that door owners are confused when it comes to diagnosing their operating issues. Here are some tips for fixing some of the things that most commonly go wrong.
What if your remote doesn’t work? If you can open the door using the keypad or a different remote, then you know that your problem is within the remote itself. Before you do anything else, try changing the batteries. If that doesn’t get you going again, check the program. Using your user’s manual, follow the instructions to reprogram the codes. If this still doesn’t work, you may just need to bite the bullet and buy a new remote. Chances are good that it has some type of defect that isn’t worth trying to fix.
You may find a time when your door either won’t open or it makes horrible noises while doing so. What these symptoms may mean is that there is something clogging the tracks, or the tracks need to be lubricated. This problem has an easy fix. Clean the tracks thoroughly and then lubricate them well.
What if your garage door won’t open no matter what you try? When remotes, indoor buttons, and keypads don’t work, then the problem may be in the opener’s motor. Check to see if your opener has power running to it and if the motor seems to be operating. Check the tracks for debris that might be impeding the operation of the door. If you can’t find anything that’s wrong, you’ll probably need to have a professional take a look at it.
Another common problem can be if a garage door wants to open or close without you telling it to. It’s possible that someone in your area has a remote that is programmed to your exact frequency. This can be remedied by changing your code. Otherwise, the problem may lie in the wiring or the transmitters. There may be shorts that are causing the malfunctions. Try replacing the batteries in the transmitters to see if that will stop this from happening. If not, you may need to replace your opener.