A garage door is one of the most frequently used entry points in any home, and when something goes wrong, it can be both inconvenient and stressful. The good news is that many garage door issues can be diagnosed — and even fixed — with simple troubleshooting steps. Whether your door won’t open, is making loud noises, or is acting unpredictable, this guide will help you understand what’s causing the problem and what to do next.
If your garage door doesn’t move when you press the remote, the keypad, or the wall button, the issue is usually simple.
Common causes:
Remote batteries are dead
Photo-eye sensors are blocked or misaligned
Opener is unplugged or has no power
Troubleshooting steps:
Replace remote batteries
Make sure both photo-eye sensors are clean and aligned
Check power outlet and reset the opener
When to call a technician:
If you hear the motor running but the door doesn’t move, springs or cables may be damaged — this requires professional service.
If the door closes and immediately goes back up, the opener settings may need adjustment.
Possible cause:
Improper travel limit or force adjustment
Troubleshooting:
Adjust settings using your opener’s manual — a small change may solve the issue.
Call a professional if:
The problem continues after adjustments, which may indicate opener damage.
A noisy garage door is often a warning sign of wear and tear.
Common causes:
Dry or worn rollers
Loose hardware
Worn hinges
Troubleshooting:
Lubricate metal parts with garage-door lubricant
Tighten screws and bolts on the track system
Never attempt:
To lubricate or repair springs — they are extremely dangerous.
When one side of the door sags or opens unevenly, the door is out of balance.
Cause:
Loose or broken cable or spring imbalance
Safety warning:
Do NOT attempt to adjust cables or springs. These are high-tension parts that can cause serious injury.
Action:
Call a licensed garage door technician immediately.
If the wall button works but the remote or keypad doesn’t, the problem is easy to fix.
Troubleshooting steps:
Replace the batteries
Reprogram the remote or keypad
Make sure the opener antenna is pointing downward
Call a professional if:
The remote still won’t sync — the motherboard or receiver may be faulty.