Garage Door Troubleshooting
Please click on a problem below to see the possible causes and solutions.
- Bottom of door is up on one side.
- Door closes only if you hold in the push button.
- Door closes part way and reverses.
- Door is cocked.
- Door is jammed.
- Door is uneven.
- Door opens slowly.
- Door won't close all the way - is uneven.
- Door won't close all the way.
- Door won't open
- Door won't stay open.
- Loud bang before the door quit working.
- Opener is straining as door opens.
- Popping sound as door operates.
- Radio controls will open but not close the door.
- Rear support for upper track is broken.
- Scraping sound
- Squeaks
1. Bottom of door is up on one side.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Frayed Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
2. Door closes only if you hold in the push button.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyes | Align, clean or replace if needed. |
3. Door closes part way and reverses.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Close force not properly adjusted | Adjust force. | |
| Dry rollers, bearings | Lubricate. | |
| Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyes | Align, clean or replace if needed. | |
| Track is bent. | Straighten, adjust or replace track. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
4. Door is cocked.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
5. Door is jammed.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Track is bent. | Straighten, adjust or replace track. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
6. Door is uneven.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Broken Extension Spring | Replace spring. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
7. Door opens slowly.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Spring | Replace spring. |
8. Door won't close all the way - is uneven.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
9. Door won't close all the way.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Door binds in tracks | Adjust track spacing or trim molding. Replace any bent hinges. | |
| Track is bent. | Straighten, adjust or replace track. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
10. Door won't open
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Spring | Replace spring. | |
| Track is bent. | Straighten, adjust or replace track. |
11. Door won't stay open.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Spring has taken a set. | Adjust spring or springs. |
12. Loud bang before the door quit working.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Spring | Replace spring. |
13. Opener is straining as door opens.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Spring | Replace spring. |
14. Popping sound as door operates.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Worn Rollers | Replace rollers. |
15. Radio controls will open but not close the door.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyes | Align, clean or replace if needed. |
16. Rear support for upper track is broken.
| Cause | Solution | |
| Broken Extension Spring | Replace spring. | |
| Broken Extension Spring Cable | Replace cable. |
17. Scraping sound
| Cause | Solution | |
| End bearing plate tilted | Straighten, reinforce, file shaft, replace bearing if needed. | |
| Frayed Cable | Replace cable. | |
| Misaligned reinforcing strut. | Space strut evenly on sections. | |
| Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys. | Replace worn pulleys. |
18. Squeaks
| Cause | Solution | |
| Dry rollers, bearings, hinges | Lubricate. |
