5 Common Garage Door Issues Every Homeowner Faces

Close-up image of an installed garage door opener mounted on the ceiling. The device shows various gears, electrical wiring, and mechanisms exposed. A metal rail extends from the opener, and a pull rope hangs down from the system. The ceiling is textured. Homeowners often face common problems with such setups.

Whether you want to protect your car from a thunderstorm or keep your vehicle safe overnight, most homeowners agree garages give them peace of mind. With so many benefits, it’s no surprise residential garage door demand is projected to grow 4.8%  until 2022.

The downside to having a safe space for your vehicle is that sometimes there are problems. Garage door issues are common. As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to understand what’s going on with your garage, so you can troubleshoot dilemmas and make adjustments.

Let’s explore some of the most common garage door issues homeowners face and simple ways to fix them.

1. Garage Doors That Refuse to Close

Is your garage refusing to shut? Many people find that the doors begin to shut but stop in their tracks before completely closing.

First, check your garage safety sensors. These sensors must have a clear sight around the base of the door track. If anything is blocking the sensors, then your garage doors won’t shut.

If the sensors are fine, check your garage door rollers. In some cases, the rollers can get old, rusty, and worn. Replacing them or adding silicone lubricant to the rollers can help your garage doors close.

The third option is to check out your garage limit switch. This operator signals your garage doors to stop safely. If the limit switch setting is malfunctioning, it can stop the doors too soon. Adjusting the limit switch settings should repair this issue.

2. Garage Doors That Won’t Fully Open

In some cases, garage doors that may not fully open. Similar to when garage doors refuse to completely close, there are a few ways you can troubleshoot this issue.

Your garage door rollers affect how your doors open. Look at your rollers and check for rust or other damages. Old garage door tracks may need replacing. If the damage isn’t too extensive, a silicone lubricant can do the trick.

Your garage door’s power source could also be the reason behind your troubles. Check your garage door opener to ensure it’s correctly connected. If your operator is plugged into an outlet, it could be an electrical error. If you can, unplug your garage opener and plug something else into the outlet to see if it works.

If everything looks fine, but your garage doors are still having trouble, your torsion springs may have broken, or your garage cables have popped off. Both of these problems can be dangerous, so call a trusted professional.

3. Sticking Garage Doors

Most of the time, sticking garage doors are due to problems within the tracks or rollers. Weather and age lead to dirt and debris buildup on the tracks. Clear anything that might be causing blockages. Inspect the tracks to ensure they are properly aligned.

If everything looks good with the garage door tracks, then the rollers may need care. The roller may rust over time, but a simple lubricant can get it back into tip-top shape. 

After checking these areas and ensuring they are clean and well-maintained, your garage doors should move with ease. If you continue to have issues, consult with a professional.

4. Malfunctioning Keypads or Wall Switches

If your garage uses a keypad, it’s common to encounter some technical difficulties. Most of the time, the antenna is to blame. The antenna must be on the motor unit and properly aligned.

Other reasons for trouble could be dead batteries or programming problems. Replace the batteries and check the keypad’s setting. You may need to reprogram the device to get it to work again. Refer to your user manual for programming information.

5. Remote Won’t Work

Last but not least, a faulty remote can cause garage door issues. First things first, make sure you’re hitting the remote’s button while in range of your garage doors. If you’re too far away, your doors won’t register the signal.

A simple battery switch usually solves remote problems. If the new batteries aren’t helping, check your owner’s manual to see how to reprogram the remote. If all else fails, you may need to replace the remote altogether. 

Find a Solution for Your Garage Door Issues

Garage door issues are frustrating. But most of the time, the problems are simple and easy for homeowners to troubleshoot. The more you understand about how your garage doors work, the easier it is to make quick repairs.

If you’re not sure why your garage door is giving you problems, don’t hesitate to contact a professional team. The experts at All-Pro Overhead Garage Door can inspect your garage doors to get to the root of your problems. Click here to get in touch with our team.

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A wooden garage door with geometric patterns, set in a brick wall facade with a single black outdoor lamp mounted above the center of the door. Shadows from nearby trees fall across the driveway and garage door, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right professional for any garage door repair needs.