A garage door is a complex piece of machinery that requires regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure it functions properly. Unfortunately, even with the best care, garage doors can still experience problems that can be frustrating and dangerous. To help you troubleshoot common garage door issues, the experts at Champions Garage Door Repair have compiled a list of 10 problems along with solutions to help get your door back on track.

1. The door won’t open or close

If your garage door won’t open or close, the first thing you should check is the remote control or wall switch to see if the problem lies there. If the issue is with the remote control or wall switch, try replacing the batteries or checking the circuit breaker to see if that solves the problem. If the remote control or wall switch is not the issue, it could be a problem with the opener itself. Try resetting the opener by unplugging it for a few minutes and then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the opener. The experts at Champions Garage Door Repair, the Garage Door Repair of Maryland suggest you check the sensors to see if they are misaligned or obstructed. The sensors are located on either side of the door and should be lined up with each other. If the sensors are not lined up or are obstructed, the door will not open or close.

2. Opener Programming Issues

Programming issues are one of the most common problems garage door owners face. If your opener is not responding to your remote control or wall switch, it may need to be reprogrammed. The process for reprogramming will vary depending on the model of your opener, so it’s best to consult your owner’s manual for instructions. Here is a great guide on how to program most garage door openers: Chamberlain garage door opener troubleshooting (it’s not just for Chamberlain brand openers).

3. The door opens or closes partially

If your garage door only opens or closes part of the way, there are a few potential causes. One possibility is that something is blocking the sensors, which are located at the bottom of the garage door opener unit. Another possibility is that the tracks are dirty or bent, which can impede the movement of the door. To clean the tracks, simply use a rag soaked in vinegar to wipe away any dirt or debris. To straighten bent tracks, use a hammer to lightly tap the tracks back into place.

4. The door makes strange noises

If your garage door starts making strange noises, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the opener unit. If you hear grinding or screeching noises, it may mean that the gears are stripped and need to be replaced. If you hear clicking noises, it could indicate that the chain is loose and needs to be tightened. In some cases, unusual noises may also be caused by something blocking the path of the door, such as a rock or piece of wood.

5. A broken garage door spring 

To learn how to tell if a garage door spring is broken, you need to know how a torsion spring system works. Torsion springs are located above the garage door and help to lift the heavy door. When one of the springs breaks, it can cause the door to fall suddenly, which can be dangerous. If you suspect a broken spring, do not attempt to open or close the door. Contact a professional garage door repair company to replace the broken spring.

6. The door is off its tracks

If your garage door seems to be off its tracks, it is likely because something is blocking the path of the door. The most common culprits are rocks or pieces of wood that have become wedged in the tracks. To remove the obstruction, simply use a hammer to gently tap the object out of the way. Once the obstruction has been removed, you can realign the tracks by loosening the screws and tapping them back into place.

If you have a garage door problem that you can’t solve, or if you need to replace a broken spring, contact your local garage door repair company.