It’s frustrating to come home from a day at work only to find that your garage door isn’t opening. You continue to press the button on the remote but nothing happens. What could be happening?
Common Causes
The remote control is not working.
There could be several reasons why your remote control is not working. It could simply be that you are out of range for your opener. Or, the antenna on the motor could be damaged or blocked. Make sure that the antenna is hanging down from the motor itself. If the remote is attached to the wall, try to replace the batteries and see if the garage door will open. Or, if all else fails, try to reboot the system by reprogramming the remote.
It’s also important to note that older garage door openers may not be compatible with newer remote-control technology. If you had your door repaired or worked on while you were away, you may want to check on the system. If you have an older opener, it’s possible that the remote control you’re using is not designed to work with your specific model. In this case, you may need a new remote control that is compatible with your system.
The garage photo eye could be blocked.
Garage doors use a photo eye that detects if an object or person is in the path of the garage door. If something is detected, the garage door will stop closing all the way. This can cause the garage door to malfunction though, and sometimes it will prevent the door from opening. To check that the photo eye is working make sure the cord from the photo eye is not damaged or cut. Also, check to make sure that the photo eye itself is not clogged or dirty. A quick wipe with a clean cloth should remove any debris.
If cleaning the photo eye and checking the cords does not resolve the issue, it’s possible that the photo eye itself is faulty and needs to be replaced. In this case, it’s best to contact a professional garage door technician to diagnose the problem. They’ll be able to recommend the appropriate repairs or replacements.
The garage springs have snapped.
Usually when this happens, there is a loud bang that reverberates throughout the house. That is a tell-tale sign that the springs have been compromised. Never attempt to lift the garage door when the springs have broken. It is incredibly dangerous and should only be left to the professionals. It’s important to note that attempting to repair or replace garage door springs on your own can be very dangerous. This should only be done by a trained professional. Garage door springs are under a lot of tension, and if mishandled, they can snap unexpectedly causing serious injury.
A professional garage door technician can also inspect the rest of the garage door system. It’s never a bad time to make sure that it’s functioning properly and identify any other issues that may need to be addressed.
Your Garage Door is Off Track
If your garage door track comes out of alignment, it’s a serious issue. The garage door can jump the track and become stuck. If this happens, stop using the door immediately! Don’t try to force it. You can cause serious damage to both the door and the track. Then this fairly affordable repair becomes several hundred dollars. Take an Uber to work and call a garage door professional. Depending on how stuck the garage door is, you may even be able to fix it yourself using simple household tools. This will take some time, so in the meantime find another way to get to work!