When you finally roll into your driveway after a long day, it often feels like the garage door can’t open quickly enough. However, when it’s opening slowly or not opening at all, your garage door likely needs attention. Many homeowners face these common garage door problems, and knowing how to troubleshoot or when to call a professional for garage door repair helps restore proper function to your home.

What Are Common Garage Door Problems?

Whether it’s unresponsive remotes or sensors, broken springs, or similar inconveniences, several common problems can impact your garage door’s security, longevity, and appearance.

Garage doesn’t open or close

Several common issues can cause your garage door to become stuck open or closed, including:

• Electrical faults: If faulty wiring disrupts power to the opener, it prevents the door from opening or closing.
• Track misalignment: Tracks and rollers can become misaligned or worn over time. In some cases, bent or off-track garage doors may not open or close.
• Broken springs: Torsion springs support the weight of your garage door, often hundreds of pounds. If they break, the motor may not be able to bear the weight of the door.
• Release handle: If the motor is running and moving the trolley while the door stays closed, someone may have pulled the release handle on the automatic opener system and disconnected the motor system from the garage door.

Noisy garage door

Garage doors should operate relatively quietly. Grinding, scraping, rattling, squeaking, and other sounds often signal underlying mechanical problems. For example, various moving parts require lubrication to minimize friction and allow for smooth opening and closing. Without lubrication, these parts may grind together, causing disruptive noises and undue wear. In turn, worn or misaligned rollers and other components may create further noise and lead to extensive damage.

Door reverses or won’t stay closed
If your garage door reverses and re-opens after closing or simply opens on its own at random, it can pose a significant security risk and leave the garage’s interior exposed to the elements.

This problem may stem from faulty safety sensors, which prevent the door from closing if its path is obstructed, and they can mistakenly trigger if they’re dirty or covered. Stuck control buttons and circuit board malfunctions can also cause the garage door to open.

Door opens crookedly

The springs, tracks, cables, and other components balance the garage door as it moves between open and closed positions. Rust or an obstruction can cause the door to open crookedly, preventing you from leaving or entering the garage and leaving the interior exposed to the elements or intruders. If the problem involves a broken spring, however, a crooked door poses a more significant hazard.

Slow opening

Garage doors usually fully open or close within 15 seconds, but several mechanical problems may slow their speed. If your door comes with speed-control settings, resolving this problem may only require a minor reconfiguration. In other cases, the issue could be inadequate lubrication along the rollers, chain, hinges, and trolley that causes friction, resulting in extra wear on the garage door system.

Otherwise, aged, worn, or damaged parts are often behind slow-moving garage doors. A failing motor, for example, may have limited power and reduced functionality.

Remote or keypad problems

A malfunctioning garage remote or keypad prevents you from accessing your garage easily. Manually opening and closing the door is inconvenient and impractical at best, but it may also be a safety concern if you’re forced to exit your vehicle before going indoors.

Faulty wiring, dead batteries, or failed syncing with the opener may render remotes and keypads unresponsive. If the devices themselves aren’t the problem, it might be the components they control or coordinate with, such as the garage door tracks, springs, or automatic openers.

Troubleshooting Garage Door Issues: DIY Fixes You Can Try

Some garage door problems only require basic adjustments or upkeep to resolve, many of which are approachable DIY tasks for homeowners. Keep in mind that safety and caution are the priority, especially since heavy garage doors and spring-loaded mechanics are hazardous without proper handling — refer to a professional if you feel unequipped to attempt DIY troubleshooting or repairs.

Otherwise, try these troubleshooting tips for your garage door:

1. Check and clean sensors

Check that each sensor points at the other — if necessary, adjust them until the indicator lights turn solid to demonstrate a steady signal. Sunlight can also interfere with the sensor’s infrared beam.

To clean the sensors, turn off the power to the garage. Using a soft cloth or brush and a mild cleaning solution, gently wipe the sensor lenses with the cloth and remove dirt or debris from the surrounding area.

Reconnect the power, and place a cardboard box in the door’s path. Activate the door — if it fails to reverse when it senses the object, refer to a professional.

2. Inspect and lubricate parts

Inspect and clean the garage door tracks to remove dirt and debris buildup, which otherwise mixes with the lubricant to create a gritty texture. Use a vacuum for the bulk of dust or debris, then wipe and clean the tracks with a mild detergent.

Disconnect the power from the garage door opener, then apply a manufacturer-approved lubricant to the following components:

• Hinges
• Rollers
• Springs
• Bearing plates
• Top rail
• Arm bar
• Lock

3. Test the balance

Fully close the garage door, and disconnect the automatic opener. With the opener disengaged, lift the door halfway and let go. If the door doesn’t stay in position, its springs likely need an adjustment or repair.

4. Adjust travel limits

Garage door openers have switches that determine the travel limits, or when the motor stops opening or closing. Most openers have a lever or screw that adjusts the limit switch settings. Adjust the travel limit according to your owner’s manual to ensure the door opens and closes fully.

When to Call a Professional for Garage Door Repairs

Some doors are too complex or hazardous for DIY fixes. In these cases, refer to a garage door professional for more in-depth diagnoses. Circumstances requiring professional repair vary, but they typically include:

• Damaged or worn-out springs
• Persistent or loud noises
• Bent rails
• Broken cables
• Door warping or cracking

Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Garage Door

Regular preventative maintenance keeps your garage door in good working condition. Periodically perform these maintenance tasks:

• Lubricate mechanical components.
• Tighten loose nuts, bolts, and other fasteners and hardware.
• Check the door’s balance and springs.
• Inspect weather stripping around your garage door to prevent water damage.
• Clean dirt and debris from the tracks.

Benefits of Professional Garage Door Repair Services

DIY fixes can address common garage door concerns and maintenance needs, but hiring a professional comes with numerous advantages. Professionals have extensive training and experience that enables them to quickly and accurately diagnose and fix underlying problems. Their expertise also allows them to handle springs, cables, and other parts with proper safety procedures.

By relying on a professional for repair, you avoid wasting time and effort on potentially ineffective DIY fixes. Besides failing to resolve the original problem, ineffective DIY fixes allow damage to the compound. In contrast, professional repair addresses the problem accurately and efficiently to minimize further issues and repair bills.

Schedule Garage Door Repair with Mesa

A reliable garage door is essential for your home’s convenience and safety. If your garage door needs assistance, contact Mesa Garage Doors in Anaheim for fast, reliable garage door repair and maintenance services today.

If your garage remote is not working, you can be locked out of your garage or your car may be stuck inside. Some remote control problems are easy to fix. However, others require the repair or replacement of the device. There are many reasons a garage door remote can stop working. We’ll look at some of the most common issues and your options for addressing them.

Before you try to fix a malfunctioning garage door remote, it helps to understand how it works. The device is a transmitter that uses a 350 to 390 megahertz signal. This signal is transmitted when you press the button. It’s encoded with a unique number your garage door system can recognize, so it responds when you want it to open or close.

Here’s what you can do if your garage remote is not working:

1. Change the Battery

A depleted battery is one of the most common garage door remote issues. It’s also the most straightforward to fix. First, try to operate the door via the wall-mounted control panel. If it works, then replace the battery in the remote. It’s usually a 3-volt lithium battery but an older model may use a 12-volt battery. 

To change the battery, open the panel in the back of the remote (or follow the manufacturer’s instructions). You should see the old battery. Remove it and insert a fresh battery of the same type and brand. Generally, garage door remote batteries last about two years.

2. Move Within Range of the Receiver

Another reason your garage remote is not working is it’s out of range. To solve this problem, step closer to the garage door. Most garage remotes have a range of 20 feet. Any farther than that and the signal might not reach the receiver. Once you move the transmitter closer and press the button, your garage door should open.

Also, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the signal. An obstruction may have to be removed but you must have a direct line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. If the remote still doesn’t operate the garage door, an issue such as a broken antenna must be fixed by a professional.

3. Disengage the Lock Function on the Control Panel

If the lock button on the control panel is pressed, the garage door won’t respond to commands from the remote. A blinking light on the panel may mean the lock function is engaged. To turn it off, press and hold the “Lock” button, and then try the remote again. The issue is solved if the door moves up or down. You can also try the controls on the wall panel to ensure it’s working properly.

4. Reset the Remote

The remote is set at a frequency unique to your garage door opener system. If it loses this setting, the remote can’t signal the door to open. To reset the remote, locate the “Learn” button on the main control panel. Hold it down for 30 seconds or until the LED light goes off, and then press the “Learn” button on the remote for three seconds. An LED light on the garage door opener may flash to indicate the system has been reset; now you can try opening the door with the remote again.

5. Call a Garage Door Repair Professional

There are some problems you can’t fix yourself. Call a repair company if none of the above solutions work. The following issues may be why your garage remote is not working:

• Physical Damage: Your garage remote must be replaced if it’s physically damaged. A cracked casing is obvious, while internal corrosion, moisture, or wear and tear may be less obvious. Contact a local garage door repair company for a new remote of the same model. To protect the unit, store it where it’s unlikely to fall, get stepped on, or be exposed to rain or extreme weather conditions.
• Control Wire: Older wiring may have deteriorated or a wire may have been damaged by a power surge. If your garage door stops working, check the wires near the control panel or opener. Call for help if they appear damaged.
• Door Control: Damage to the door control mechanism can prevent the system from responding to any signals from the remote. Contact a repair company if you’ve tried to get the remote working again but are unsuccessful. 
• Receiver Board: A power surge can damage the receiver’s circuit board or wiring. To check for a circuit board malfunction, a professional disconnects the wires to the panel and motor, reconnects them, and clears the opener’s memory. Then the remote control is reprogrammed and the opener is unplugged and reconnected. Lastly, they’ll test the door to ensure it’s working.

Call Mesa Garage Doors If Your Garage Remote Is Not Working

Whether your detached garage door is stuck closed or an attached garage door stays open no matter what, we can find the underlying problem and repair it. Our team is available 24/7. If you’re unable to fix a garage remote that’s not working, contact us to troubleshoot it, provide a free estimate, and make the necessary repairs.

The emergency garage door release is a mechanism that allows you to operate the door manually if necessary. If it doesn’t work, you won’t be able to open or close the garage door. A faulty emergency release cord is uncommon. Various other issues can make opening a garage door without power more difficult. If the emergency garage door release isn’t working, we’ll explain the possible causes and where to look to begin troubleshooting the issue.

Misaligned Garage Door

Broken Spring or Cable

Improper Sensitivity/Limit Settings

Accidentally Engaged Lock or Security Feature

Obstruction or Blockage

Garage Door Opener Motor Issue

About the Red Emergency Release Cord

The red cord near your garage door allows you to operate it if the power goes out or even if the garage door opener fails. Pulling it disengages the door from the carriage that connects it to the opener. If the garage door doesn’t work, the release cord may not have been properly re-engaged the last time. This is one reason the opener may not work. If it is, reconnecting the system should resolve the matter.

What If the Emergency Release Stops Working?

However, damage to the release cord is rare. It would require a professional to fix it immediately. If the emergency release mechanism seems to have malfunctioned, common issues to look for include the following:

Misaligned Garage Door

A misalignment is often due to a track or roller issue. A garage door off its track cannot move properly, even with the emergency release cord engaged. If you suspect an issue with the tracks, proceed with the following steps:

• Look for Debris: Check for a buildup of dirt or small stones stuck in the track; clean it if necessary.
• Check for Wear: A damaged track can cause the door to fall if it opens. Close the door before pulling the cord to avoid damage and inspect for gaps, bent tracks, and other signs of damage.
• Stabilize the Door: If it must be opened, have two people on each side lift the door and keep any people or objects clear of its path. Insert a support to hold the door up.

Your garage door can be unsafe to open if it has worn, damaged, or off-track rollers. These small components guide the door along the track. If a problem is suspected, pull the emergency release cord and open the door slowly, being prepared for resistance. Stop immediately if the door is harder to move. Don’t open it if the rollers are off-track or visibly damaged.

To be safe, any garage door track or roller issue should be addressed by a properly trained and equipped professional.

Broken Spring or Cable

If a garage door spring or cable is broken, it may seem like the emergency release isn’t working. Each spring balances the door’s weight. If broken, it cannot support the weight of the door, making manual lifting dangerous. Attempting to open your garage door can lead to additional damage or an injury. Call a local contractor for help.

Worn or frayed cables can also be dangerous. They can snap without warning, causing the door to fall or move out of control. Make sure the door is closed before pulling the emergency release cord. If possible, lift the door evenly on both sides and support it with a piece of wood or other solid, sturdy object.

Improper Sensitivity/Limit Settings

Your garage door opener’s settings should not change by pulling the emergency release cord. If the door operates differently after re-engaging the mechanism, the sensitivity and limit settings may need to be reprogrammed. However, there may be an underlying issue a professional must address. The sensitivity settings control the amount of force needed for the door to reverse direction, while the limit settings control how far the door moves to fully open or close.

Accidentally Engaged Lock or Security Feature

If someone accidentally closes a manual lock, your garage door won’t open even if the emergency release cord is pulled. Security features in some modern garage doors can also prevent them from working. A built-in security device may need to be reset before disengaging the trolley so you can operate the door manually.

Obstruction or Blockage

A physical obstruction can prevent the door from moving after the emergency garage door release cord is pulled. Removing the object can allow you to open the door manually. 

The safety sensors won’t stop working by pulling the cord, but they won’t prevent the door from closing on an obstruction since they communicate with the opener. The garage door can still close on a person or object. Therefore, it’s important to ensure the path between the door and the ground is clear.

Garage Door Opener Motor Issue

If the emergency garage door release isn’t working, a faulty motor is something else to check for. An electrical problem can also prevent manual operation. Keep in mind if you press the remote, the opener may run but won’t move the door since it’s not connected. Pull the cord in the opposite direction or run the garage door opener until it re-engages the trolley and opener carriage. You can then troubleshoot other issues.

How to Test the Emergency Garage Door Release Cord

The release cord is a feature you may not use often. But it should be tested from time to time. To do this correctly:

• Close the garage door and make sure there are no obstructions. The release cord should never be used or tested with the door open.
• Power off your garage door at the circuit breaker.
• Locate the red emergency release cord. It hangs from the garage door opener track close to the ceiling.
• Pull firmly on the cord and lift the garage door partway.
• Make sure the door stays in place. If so, it’s properly balanced. If it rises or falls, it’s imbalanced, or a spring or cable is damaged.
• Close the door manually, turn the power back on, and pull the cord toward the door. A  clicking sound indicates the trolley’s latching mechanism has been engaged.
• Use the remote or switch to test your garage door opener and ensure it works.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Various mechanical or electrical issues can prevent you from operating your garage door manually. If you have trouble moving the door after pulling the emergency garage door release cord, contact us right away. We’re available 24/7 to address emergencies in Los Angeles and Southern California. Whether there’s damage or you need to open a locked garage door from outside without a key, we can help. Call (714) 867-1637 for prompt service and a free repair estimate.