Garage Door Troubleshooting Guide

Quick diagnostic guide for common garage door problems. Find out what you can fix yourself and when to call a professional.

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⚠️ Important Safety Warning

Never attempt spring or cable repairs yourself. Garage door springs are under 200+ pounds of tension and cause thousands of injuries annually. Broken cables can also snap with deadly force. If you suspect spring or cable damage, disconnect your opener and call a professional immediately.

Common Garage Door Problems

Door Won't Open or Close

Symptoms:

Remote not working
Wall button not responding
Door doesn't move when activated
Power light on opener is off

What You Can Try:

1Check if opener is plugged in and outlet has power
2Replace batteries in remote control
3Check circuit breaker hasn't tripped
4Ensure door is unlocked (check manual lock handle)
5Verify safety sensors are aligned (check indicator lights)

When to Call a Professional:

If door still won't move after these checks, there may be motor failure or electrical issues.

Door is Noisy

Symptoms:

Loud grinding or scraping sounds
Squeaking or squealing
Rattling or vibrating
Popping noises when opening/closing

What You Can Try:

1Apply garage door lubricant to rollers, hinges, and tracks
2Tighten loose nuts and bolts on door hardware
3Check for worn or damaged rollers
4Ensure track is properly aligned
5Inspect chain/belt for proper tension

When to Call a Professional:

Persistent grinding sounds after lubrication usually indicate worn bearings or damaged components that need replacement.

Door is Crooked or Uneven

Symptoms:

One side of door higher than the other
Door appears tilted when closed
Gap between door and frame on one side
Door binds or sticks when opening

What You Can Try:

1⚠️ DO NOT attempt spring adjustment yourself - this is dangerous
2Check if cables are still on drums
3Look for visible damage to cables or springs
4Ensure nothing is blocking the track

When to Call a Professional:

An uneven door almost always indicates a spring or cable issue. These components are under extreme tension and should only be serviced by professionals.

Broken Spring (Visual Check)

Symptoms:

Door suddenly very heavy to lift manually
Loud bang heard before door stopped working
Visible gap in spring coil above door
One spring looks different than the other

What You Can Try:

1⚠️ DO NOT attempt to open door with broken spring
2DO NOT try to replace springs yourself
3Disconnect opener to prevent motor damage
4Keep door closed until professional arrives

When to Call a Professional:

Broken springs are under 200+ pounds of tension and are the #1 cause of garage door injuries. This is ALWAYS a job for professionals.

Opener Not Responding

Symptoms:

Remote works intermittently
Wall button works but remote doesn't
Opener lights blink but door doesn't move
Complete lack of response

What You Can Try:

1Replace remote batteries
2Check if opener is in 'vacation lock' mode
3Reprogram remote to opener
4Check wall button wiring connections
5Reset opener by unplugging for 30 seconds

When to Call a Professional:

If none of these fixes work, the opener circuit board may be faulty or the motor has failed.

Door Stuck Halfway

Symptoms:

Door opens partway then stops
Door closes partway then reverses
Opener motor runs but door doesn't move
Door stops at same point every time

What You Can Try:

1Check for obstructions in tracks
2Clean safety sensor lenses
3Adjust opener force/sensitivity settings
4Check if door is properly balanced (disconnect opener, lift manually)
5Look for damaged rollers or track sections

When to Call a Professional:

If door is stuck and won't budge, there may be broken cables, damaged tracks, or serious spring issues requiring immediate attention.

Still Having Issues?

Our expert technicians are available 24/7 for emergency garage door repairs. We'll diagnose the problem and get your door working safely again.

Call (307) 441-7119 Schedule Service