Garage Door Opener Repair 101: A Guide

Your garage door will inevitably need to be repaired. You know the drill of Murphy’s Law: If something can go wrong, it most likely will. And when it comes to garage door opener repair, we’ve seen it all — burned motors, shot wiring, bent antennas, even burned out batteries. And since garage door openers only last about half as long as the garage door itself, you’ll likely need to replace it with a new garage door opener before you replace your garage door. Fortunately, this is a fairly easy DIY garage door repair. Here is a brief guide to troubleshooting garage door opener repair.

Troubleshoot the Garage Door

The first thing is to check the door to see if the problem is the opener or the door itself. Pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener from the door. Check to see if it opens. If not, you might have a problem with the tracks, springs, or cables that may require a garage door repair company. The tracks, springs, and cables of the garage door can be dangerous to repair if you don’t have previous experience. .

Troubleshooting Whether It’s the Garage or Switch

If the remote still works but the wall unit doesn’t, you’ll either need to repair the switch or swap out the wires. To determine which, remove the switch from the wall and touch the two wires together. (They’re low voltage — no risk of shock!) If this works the opener, the switch is bad. Unless it’s an older model, get a switch that corresponds to the brand of opener you own.

If the wires are bad, you’ll need to swap out the wires.

Troubleshooting the Remote

If it’s the remote that‘s not working, change the batteries. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to get a new remote. You can find one online that corresponds to your brand of opener, or purchase a universal remote. Another option is to install a new receiver that comes with its own remote. This protects your door from hacking.

Could the Problem Be the Motor?

If you hear a whirring sound but the door doesn’t open or close, chances are the motor in your garage door opener has gone bad. This will often wear out before the opener itself. The good news is it’s a fairly inexpensive garage door opener repair — one you can do yourself if you are fairly handy with tools.

You can purchase a garage door motor repair kit at most hardware stores. Make sure when you inspect the motor that the door is completely closed. You don’t want to risk it crashing down on you.

Is It To Purchase A New Garage Door Opener?

If you’re having trouble repairing your garage door opener or find yourself tinkering with it too much, consider purchasing a replacement. Garage door openers have seen significant improvements over the last few years as smart technology has evolved. A new garage door opener will come with an increased security and safety features to protect you and your loved one. “Smart garage door openers” can be connected to your smartphone via apps, allowing you to remotely open and close your doors. This can be great if you think you’ve forgotten to lock your door, or if you want delivery drivers to safely house your packages inside your garage door. 

Installing a new garage door opener will be relatively easier than repairing one as well. However, if you want to leave the dirty work to an expert, speak with a garage door repair and installation company. An expert will be able to repair your old door opener or install your new one, depending on the route you go.

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