Is your garage door not opening properly?
Well, you’ve come to the right place, because in this post, I’ll be going over different scenarios on why the door is not opening and how to fix it..
I like to keep my introductions short and sweet, so let’s get into this.
Table of Contents
Why is my garage door opener opening both doors?
Your Garage door opener remote is most likely at fault here, with a low battery or a programming malfunction. Otherwise, a frequency interference may also cause both doors to activate at the push of a single button.
Batteries
First-world problems? Well, a problem’s a problem, and this is a small, common but infuriating problem. Whether both doors are opening at the same time, or one door opens as the other closes, this shouldn’t be happening.
But before you consider taking your frustrations out on your garage door, causing more damage, start your investigation process with something less arduous by removing and replacing the batteries from the door opener remote. Something so small and simple can often be the culprit in cases such as this, and this is commonly a quick and easy solution.
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Programming malfunctions
After replacing the batteries if the problem still persists there may well be a problem elsewhere, with something potentially being wrong with the programming.
Programming malfunctions can happen on remotes and wall panels for a multitude of reasons; radio interference, low batteries and bad sequencing can throw this straightforward program into disarray.
Even new batteries can cause such issues as the process of replacing batteries can sometimes make a remote control forget its original or pre-programmed state, making it operate incorrectly and erratically.
Follow the instructions for reprogramming the buttons on the remote to the door opener and the relevant doors.
The program option is usually found by going to the door opener and hitting the “Learn” button – as it’s most commonly known – and syncing the correct door to the desired button. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the procedure is carried out correctly.
Why is my garage door opener opening on its own?
One of the most common reasons a garage door opens on its own is when dirt and grime builds up in the door opener remote causing it to stick and activate the door.
Remote buttons
Of course, there are multiple possibilities that could cause this unwanted event from happening, but it may be something as painless as your remote button on your remote being stuck in the “on” position, activating your opener sporadically or continuously. Cleaning your door opener remote buttons may immediately fix the issue.
If not, you’ve tried the easy option and can rule this out, jumping onto the next possible solution.
Looking after your door opener remote and panels, and keeping your opener buttons free of debris will ensure your opener doesn’t succumb to physical impairment and this may save you from running around trying to solve mysteries. You don’t want your garage door opening at all hours of the night.
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Indoor panels
If your remote seems to be in perfect physical condition, you may have to look at the indoor panels.
Make sure the buttons on the internal controls aren’t jammed or have anything leaning on them from any spring cleaning and reorganizing, or if something has fallen onto the panels hitting the buttons.
Circuit breaker
If both the remote and internal controls are in good working order and free from any obstructions it’s worth resetting the circuit breaker.
If there’s recently been a power cut in your area, this could have thrown off the signals and it may need to be reset from the board. The classic unplug it and plug it back in. It always (often…) works.
Other
Other possibilities include further interference from bad or loose wiring. The wiring could be knocked out of position or frayed over time and this may send your garage door into confusion mode, which we’ll talk about further down in this article.
Why is my garage door opener only working sometimes?
Electronic interference may be to blame for your garage door opener’s lack of commitment to not opening when you want it to.
Batteries
Or, your remote batteries may be on their way out. Always set out to try and fix something in the quickest and easiest way. Replacing the batteries is the number one go-to method when your door opener is working intermittently.
It’s a possible solution for many different issues and it’s always worth a try. A two-minute job and you may be off to the races with a fully working garage door opener.
Electronic interference
Electronic interference could also be the cause of your remote and door opener to continually lose signal with each other, causing them to disconnect and forget programming.
The best solution for this is to reprogram your opener with your remote. Go back to the “Learn” button on the door opener and follow the manufacturer’s procedure, resetting the signals. Upon reprogramming, hopefully, you’ll have a fully functioning and cooperating garage door.
Garage Door Opener Flashing/Blinking/Flickering
Why is my garage door opener only opening halfway?
Your garage door may only be opening halfway due to blocked, jammed or uneven tracks. An incorrectly set limit switch may also be the cause of this unhelpful scenario.
Trackways
When your garage door only opens half way, check the trackways to ensure there are no foreign objects blocking any movement. If something is blocking the rollers from moving, lower and close the garage door once more using the controls.
Once the garage door is in its parked position carefully remove the obstruction. If everything seems free and clear, with nothing blocking the trackways, look for any scraping marks.
This could signify misalignment in the tracks resulting in the rollers scraping the edge of the tracks as they rub heavily to one side. The pressure caused by this rubbing may stop your garage door from fully opening.
Realigning the lopsided tracks and making sure no other moving parts have been bent or damaged in the process should loosen your track movement and allow your garage door to open fully and freely.
Limit switches
Limit switches could be a problem, causing your garage door to stop from fully opening. If recently installed, there may be a limit switch that wasn’t installed correctly or has fallen out of position.
As part of regulatory safety features, garage door openers include multiple sensors. One of these limits will be set to send open signals. In the case of this sensor being out of position or wrongly set, readjust the limit switch to activate when fully open.
This can be done by manually opening the door to its fullest extent, and by using a flat or phillips head screwdriver you can reset the positioning of this sensor. If in doubt, follow the garage door opener manual and instructions.
Why is my garage door opener going up and down by itself?
One of the most common reasons a garage door may be opening and closing is the wiring may have short-circuited.
As I mentioned earlier…confusion mode! With your garage door opening and closing all on its own, we’re getting into some spooky territory. Your home may be trying to talk to you.
Check everything from your door opener remote to the wall panels inside. You’re now looking to make sure everything is in good condition and there are no noticeable faults, such as limit switches hanging out of position or wires hanging out of panels.
In the case of an electrical short circuit, this could be the result of bad weather or an unexpected power cut causing your electrics to go haywire.
Damaged or faulty wiring may also be to blame. Anything from corrosion, water damage or even rodents can cause damage to wiring resulting in a breakdown.
Even loose and unattached wiring could be at fault. Check the wall panes as well as any wiring leading to your door opener mechanism.
If you’re not trained and confident in the handling of electrical equipment and you’re struggling to resolve this issue on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician to fix the problem.
Garage door jerks when opening
Damage to tracks or pulleys may be the cause of your garage door jerking or shuddering when opening and closing.
Mechanical problem
When your garage doors seemingly operate with no problem when pressing the door opener remote, this may immediately rule out an electrical or programming issue and point directly toward a mechanical problem.
Mechanical snags such as jerking and binding may become more prevalent, as over time the inevitable wear and tear will occur with usage and age naturally damaging your garage door opener tracks and roller pulleys.
A visual inspection will highlight any issues, showing any friction marks, dents or buckling. Your garage door tracks will be made up of several joining pieces, check to ensure there are no unwanted steps between track parts as well as loose fasteners or debris stuck in the trackways that could cause the usual smooth motion to jump over these pieces.
Tracks may also be damaged or bent by manually forcing the garage door open or closed at an uneven angle, causing twisting that could result in the roller pulley wheels jamming and slipping up and down the track system as they move.
Loose tracks can also happen over time with the vibration of the operation causing nuts and bolts to come loose, as a result, your pulley rollers may get caught and your tracks could buckle.
Damaged tracks may also occur by accidentally bumping them with your car or other heavy objects in your garage.
Maintain your tracks and ensure they’re entirely rid of any obstructions ensuring they are kept clear, clean and lubricated. You may need your tracks realigned and at worst, replaced.
Pulley rollers and cables
The pulley rollers and cables may also have been damaged with years of use and abuse. The natural wearing and usage could cause fraying and splitting of cables as well as cables coming out of alignment over time.
If you notice worn or damaged pulley cables, be sure to replace them as soon as possible. Call a professional to ensure the best results.
Pulley rollers and tracks that have not been well maintained and regularly lubricated may be prone to seizing.
Applying a lubricant to these areas may be just the thing to loosen up your garage door and operate like new once more. It’s a quick and easy task and can help in preventing jerking and prolonging the life of your door opener kit.
Garage door opener jammed
Your garage door is jammed and it could be caused by absolutely anything. Just make sure it’s unlocked first…
Locks
That’s right. Just like that time you tried to drive with the handbrake on, make sure all locks are unlocked before trying your door opener again.
Some garage doors can be manually locked and this is easily done by you or anyone else turning the handle. Check it’s unlocked, then try again.
Obstruction
Just as with jerking and shuddering, this issue could be caused by damage to or obstruction in the tracks and pulleys. So much so that there’s a chance that the rollers have come off the tracks altogether causing the door to jam.
Without the rollers in the tracks, there’s nowhere for them to move and therefore they can’t drive the door up or down. In this case, you may need some assistance with guiding the rollers back onto the tracks or a helping hand in the guise of a professional.
When experiencing door jamming, always resort to applying lubrication to the tracks and rollers. Not only is this good for the general upkeep of your opener but it may just get things moving again.
Other
It’s not all mechanical with a jam, it could potentially be down to an electrical or appliance fault with the worst-case scenario being that your garage door opener may simply not be working.
If the door is stuck in position and your remote and panels don’t seem to be helping the door move in any direction, call a technician before you manhandle the door and cause more harm than good.
