Guide
Common Garage Door Opener Problems
Openers are reliable right up until 7:42 on a Tuesday morning.
Door reverses before closing
Usually the safety sensors (dirty or misaligned) or something in the door's path. Also check the close-force setting in the manual.
Hums but doesn't move
Could be a stripped drive gear, a door that's locked, or a broken spring making the door too heavy. Check the spring before anything else.
Remote works sometimes
Weak battery, interference from nearby lights, or a remote that needs reprogramming.
Grinding, clicking or smoke smell
Stop using it and unplug it. That's a technician call.
Safety first. If the door is very heavy or a spring looks broken, don't use the opener to force it. Unplug the opener before touching the trolley or rail. Only use the emergency release with the door fully closed, because a door with a broken spring can drop.