ByGarage doors open around 1500 times a year. The heavy usage strains the door opener and can cause ill-timed failure. A faulty door opener slows the opening and closing speed. They trigger unusual clunking, grinding, and squeaking noises. In worst cases, the door opener responds to commands sporadically or might not respond at all.
Has your garage door opener failed, and now you are wondering what to do? The following are five things to do in case of a failed garage door opener.
1. Call a Professional
Your garage door is undoubtedly the most significant component of your home. It is heavy and runs on mechanical components. A slight fault could affect normal operations and trigger accidents and injuries. You do not want to fall victim to avoidable accidents. Once you notice that your garage door opener is failing, the best decision is to call an expert in garage door repair Newport Beach.
Garage door technicians solve garage door-related problems for a living. They have the expertise and tools to detect and resolve every garage door problem. These technicians use the latest technology to detect problems in the wall-mounted keypads and remote controls.
They will use sophisticated diagnostic tools to access the garage door opener, which will provide insights into the electrical connections, motor function, and related door functions. They will also inspect the wiring and voltage to ensure everything is okay.
2. Troubleshoot the Remote
Calling a technician is recommended, but that is after you unsuccessfully try all possible DIY solutions. How would you feel calling one to realize that the problem was the remote control? It could be the batteries have died or the remote needs repair. Start by inspecting your garage door remote to ensure it has no issues. Try getting new batteries; the current ones might have exhausted all the juice.
If that fails, inspect the garage door keypads. Working keypads show that the door opener has no issues. Get a new remote to see if you can solve the problem. If all these solutions fail, get the opener examined by a specialist.
3. Reset the Garage Door Opener
When the garage door opener fails, it is usually a minor problem. It is something you can resolve with a factory system reset. Resetting a garage door opener is as simple as disconnecting it from the power out and connecting it again. You can turn off the breaker instead of disconnecting the garage door opener from the power source. Check for the circuit breaker in the electrical panel and turn it off.
Leave the breaker off or the opener unplugged for about 2 minutes. This will allow the garage door opener to reset. Flip back the breaker or plug the door opener into the power outlet. A reset will likely restore the opener’s original functionality. If that fails, you might need to reprogram the remote controls. The user manual explains everything about reprogramming the remote controls.
4. Inspect Safety Sensors
Safety sensors are integral components of your garage door opener. They are naturally positioned close to the bottom area of the garage door tracks. Sensors must maintain the correct alignment for an efficient and safe operation. Their location near the ground exposes them to more debris, dust, and dirt. That can affect the performance and operations. Check for dirt accumulation and clean both the receiving and transmitting sensors.
Inspect the sensors to ensure they have proper alignment. Use a level to check the angle and height of the sensors. Adjust misaligned sensors to attain the same angle and height. After you have cleaned your sensors, it is time to test if they work. If they fail, it might mean that the problem is from the indicator lights. Indicator lights that blink or fail to light show a sensor wiring or alignment problem.
5. Check Out for Physical Damages
Do you know that a failed garage door opener might be due to physical damage? Perhaps a frayed wire, loose connection, corrosion, or broken components. Inspect the door opener for damage or fraying. Check all electrical connections on the remote control, keypads, and the opener. They should be intact and properly fitted. Get frayed wires replaced immediately by a qualified technician. Tighten the loose connections with a wrench or screwdriver.
Check for broken garage door opener springs, gears, and belts. They are integral for the smooth operations of the garage door opener. Inspect the opener for corroded mounting brackets, springs, and hinges. Corroded components can lead to failure and reduced performance. Use a wire brush to clean the corroded parts and apply a rust-resistant coating to prevent future corrosion.
Inspect the garage door opener’s motor housing for damage or cracks. Damages in the motor housing allow debris and moisture to enter the motor, causing electrical and corrosion problems. Hire a professional to repair damages to the motor housing immediately.
Wrapping Up
Have you noticed unusual sounds and smells from your garage door, or has its opener become slow and difficult to operate? It may have a mechanical or physical issue. You can resolve some faults by resetting the opener, reprogramming the remote control, or changing the remote batteries. Inspect the sensors for problems and make necessary repairs and upgrades. Even after these DIY troubleshoots, you should hire a qualified technician to do a more thorough job.
