When your garage door stops working, it can disrupt your entire day. Luckily, the most common issues can be easily solved with a little troubleshooting. If you’re having trouble opening or closing the garage, use this list and see if you can fix the problem yourself before reaching out to a repair technician.

3 Common Garage Door Problems

1. Activated Sensors

All modern garage doors are equipped with sensors to prevent the mechanisms from hurting children, small pets, or treasured belongings. These devices are set up about a foot off the ground on either side of the door and stop the mechanism from closing if an object is in the way.

If your door doesn’t shut, check that there are no branches, soccer balls, or other objects triggering the sensors. Check the devices and make sure they’re not covered in dust or debris that might be affecting their performance.

2. Dead Battery

If you’re using a transmitter in your car, the solution may be simpler than you think. This remote control runs on battery power. When the batteries die, the device can no longer send signals to the door opener.

To test if this is the issue, use the button inside the garage and see if the door closes as it should. If it does, you probably just need to replace the batteries in your car transmitter.

3. Enabled Disconnect Switch

When the power goes out, you can use the disconnect switch to break the link between the door and the electronic opener. This allows you to lift and lower the door manually. In some cases, this switch may be accidentally enabled.

When you press the button or transmitter, see if you can hear the motor humming inside the opener. If you can, and the door isn’t moving, you probably need to disable the disconnect switch. Check the door’s manual to figure out which rope or knob to use.

If you’re still having trouble with your garage door, reach out to Pioneer Overhead Door, Inc., of Lincoln, NE. This family-owned and -operated company has half a century of experience repairing and installing garage doors throughout the area. You can rely on their team to provide efficient service and lasting solutions. To learn more about their work, visit the website. Call (402) 476-6539 to arrange for an estimate.