10 Common Garage Door Problems (And How to Fix Them)

We’ve all encountered garage door issues at some point. Luckily, you can try several DIY garage door fixes to manage the problem. This guide explains some common garage door problems and solutions, and highlights when to contact an expert.

1. Trouble Opening or Closing

If your garage won’t open or close, it may be due to power, rollers or safety sensor problems.

Solution

Check if the opener is plugged in and clear dirt or objects from the tracks. You can also gently clean the safety sensors with a soft cloth and ensure they’re aligned if the door still won’t work. Contact a garage door repair professional if these troubleshooting steps don’t help.

2. Broken Springs

The extension or torsion springs in your garage door are metal coils that help the door close and open by balancing the weight of the door. If they break, your door can close forcefully, potentially injure you or damage your property.

Solution

Contact a professional to replace your garage door springs if they are broken or damaged.

3. Roller Issues

Old or rusted rollers can cause problems with opening your door.

Solution

Lubricate the rollers, and if that doesn’t work, replace them. DIY roller replacement is possible if you’re handy, but we recommend letting a professional do it.

4. Malfunctioning Opener

Common garage door opener issues include:

• A motor that’s broken, makes weird noises or doesn’t work at all.
• A remote that’s not working.
• Something blocking the signal between the remote and the opener.

Solution

Do some garage door opener troubleshooting by:

• Checking the remote batteries
• Getting close to the door when using the remote
• Clearing the path of your antenna in case something’s blocking the signal

If these solutions don’t help, your opener’s motor may be dying, which means you may need to replace it or purchase a new garage door opener. In these cases, it’s best to contact a professional.

5. Unusual Noises

Unusual noises often indicate that your garage door has worn or loose parts, lacks lubrication or is misaligned.

Solution

Lubricate moving parts with a silicone-based lubricant. Also, check and tighten loose hardware because they can cause vibrations and extra noise.

Contact a garage door technician for troubleshooting if you’re uncertain about what’s causing the noise or suspect broken springs or alignment issues.

6. Uneven Door

An odd-looking or uneven garage door is usually the result of other issues like broken or aging springs and cables, blockages and rusty parts.

Solution

Remove everything from the door’s path and wipe down any dirt. If that doesn’t help, turn off the power and try lifting your garage door by hand. Then, slowly let go. If the door moves out of place or slams shut, the springs might be the problem. If that happens, limit your door use and contact a professional immediately.

7. Slow Opening and Closing

Garage doors that open slowly likely have a problem with their rollers or a blockage in the tracks.

Solution

Check the rollers to ensure they aren’t dried out. You’ll also want to assess the state of your tracks and clean them if there’s dirt or debris. Call a professional if these steps don’t help.

8. Slow or No Response to Remote Commands

Sometimes the problem could be your remote and not the door itself.

Solution

Here’s how to fix a garage door remote that isn’t working:

• Check the batteries to make sure they’re in the right way. If they are, but the remote still doesn’t work, try replacing them.
• Look in your garage door opener manual to learn how to change the frequency if needed.

If it’s not the batteries or the frequency, the signal might be blocked. In this case:

• Check the opener’s antenna. It might need to be cleaned if it’s dusty or dirty.
• Make sure the antenna is pointing the right way and isn’t damaged.

If these fixes don’t work, contact a professional to diagnose the problem and suggest solutions.

9. Locking Mechanism Issues

Misaligned or jammed door locks can make it hard to lock or unlock the door, leaving your property at risk or stranding you inside or outside the garage.

Solution

Clean the lock bar, tracks and the area around the lock to ensure everything can move smoothly. You can also lubricate moving parts to help stop the lock from jamming or sticking.

If these steps don’t fix the problem, call a professional.

10. Off-Track Door

A garage door may become difficult to operate if it moves out of its proper path along the rails.

Solution

Stop using the door immediately to avoid making things worse or creating a safety risk. Call a garage door technician for troubleshooting as soon as possible.

Safety First When Performing DIY Garage Door Fixes

Always unplug or disconnect the garage door opener before doing any maintenance or repairs. Even though fixing things yourself may save money, having a professional garage door technician handle serious problems or anything that seems unsafe is best.

You can help prevent problems and keep your garage door working well by performing simple DIY maintenance practices. We recommend giving your garage door a tuneup at least twice a year. Tuneups help it last longer and can save you from expensive repairs down the road.

Work With Door Pros for Reliable Garage Door Troubleshooting

At Door Pros, we show up fully prepared with all the equipment and high-quality garage door parts needed to complete repairs on your garage as quickly as possible. We’ve served many happy customers in San Francisco, Carmel, Sacramento, San Mateo, San Rafael and surrounding areas for over a decade. Request a service with Door Pros and receive same-day service!