Garage door won’t open? Learn common causes including broken springs, opener problems and sensors, plus when to call for garage door repair in Brainerd.
However, you press the Garage Door opener and expect the door to go up. Instead, nothing happens.
A garage door that won’t open is one of the most common reasons homeowners call for garage door service. The problem can be as simple as a remote or sensor issue, but it can also indicate a broken spring or another mechanical problem.
Here are some of the most common reasons a garage door won’t open.
Start with the simple possibilities.
Make sure the garage door opener has power. Check whether the wall-mounted control operates the door even if the remote doesn’t.
If the wall control works but your remote doesn’t, the problem could be related to the remote, battery or programming rather than the garage door itself.
Modern garage door openers use safety sensors located near the bottom of the garage door opening.
If these sensors are blocked, dirty or misaligned, the opener may prevent the door from operating normally.
Look for anything obstructing the sensors and gently clean the lenses if they’re dirty.
Garage door springs help counterbalance the considerable weight of the door.
When a spring breaks, your opener may not lift the Garage Door. You may also hear a loud bang when the spring fails.
A broken garage door spring isn’t a component we recommend attempting to replace yourself. Springs operate under significant tension and should be serviced by someone with the appropriate tools and experience.
Garage door cables work with other components to safely raise and lower the door.
A damaged, loose or frayed cable can cause the door to operate incorrectly or prevent it from opening altogether.
Avoid operating the door if you see an obviously damaged cable.
Garage door rollers travel through tracks on each side of the opening.
If the rollers leave the track or the track becomes significantly damaged or misaligned, the door may bind or stop moving.
Trying to force an off-track garage door open can cause additional damage.
Garage doors in the Brainerd Lakes Area operate through some significant temperature changes.
During Minnesota winters, ice and snow can accumulate around the bottom of a garage door. In some situations, the bottom seal can even freeze to the ground.
If the door appears frozen, don’t repeatedly press the opener in an attempt to break it loose. The opener is designed to move the garage door, not overcome a door frozen to the driveway.
Clear away snow and ice and determine whether the door is physically stuck before continuing.
Garage door openers don’t last forever.
Motors, gears, electronics and other internal components can eventually wear out. If the door itself appears to move freely but the opener isn’t functioning correctly, the opener may need service or replacement.
Newer garage door openers also offer features that weren’t available on many older systems, including smartphone connectivity and improved safety and security functionality.
If you’ve checked the obvious issues and the garage door still won’t operate, avoid forcing it.
A garage door is heavy, and its springs and cables are under substantial tension. Attempting to force a malfunctioning system can result in additional damage and potentially create a safety hazard.
Access Garage Door provides garage door repair and opener service for homeowners and businesses in Brainerd and the surrounding Lakes Area.
We’ll identify what’s preventing your garage door from operating correctly and determine the appropriate repair.
Garage door won’t open? Contact Access Garage Door for professional garage door service in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
