Garage Door Symptom Checker

Likely causes:

• Broken torsion or extension spring
• Opener has no power or the lock mode is on
• Snapped or slipped lift cable
• Stripped opener gear

Safe checks:

• Look for a gap in the spring above the door.
• Check that the opener is plugged in and the wall button lights up.
• Turn off the lock or vacation mode on the wall control.
• Replace the remote battery.

When to call: Call if a spring or cable is broken or the opener hums without moving the door. See the service

Likely causes:

• Photo-eye sensors misaligned, dirty or blocked
• Close force or travel limit set wrong
• Something on the floor or in the track
• Door too heavy because of a weak spring

Safe checks:

• Wipe the sensor lenses and make sure both lights are steady.
• Clear anything in the door's path.
• Hold the wall button down until the door closes. If that works, it's almost always the sensors.

When to call: Call if the sensors look fine and the door still reverses. See the service

Likely causes:

• Broken spring making the door too heavy
• Travel limits out of adjustment
• Bent track or a roller catching
• Opener force set too low

Safe checks:

• Watch where it stops and look for a kink in the track or a stuck roller at that point.
• Check the springs for a gap.

When to call: Call before adjusting force settings, since turning force up hides a heavy, unsafe door. See the service

Likely causes:

• A torsion spring has broken (the bang is the spring unwinding)

Safe checks:

• Look for a two-inch gap in the coils of the spring above the door.
• Don't use the opener and don't try to lift the door.

When to call: Call now. A broken spring is replaced, never repaired, and should not be DIY. See the service

Likely causes:

• Snapped or slipped lift cable
• Broken spring on a two-spring door
• Roller out of the track

Safe checks:

• Look at both bottom corners for a loose or frayed cable.
• Stop using the door. A crooked door can come off its tracks.

When to call: Call now. Cables are under full spring tension. See the service

Likely causes:

• Hitting a car or object while closing
• Broken cable
• Bent or loose track

Safe checks:

• Unplug the opener and keep everyone clear of the door.

When to call: Call now. An off-track door can fall. See the service

Likely causes:

• Dry springs, hinges or roller bearings
• Worn steel rollers
• Loose hardware
• Worn opener chain or gear

Safe checks:

• Spray hinges, roller bearings and springs with garage door lubricant (not grease).
• Tighten loose hinge and track bolts.

When to call: Call if the noise is grinding from the opener or rollers wobble. See the service

Likely causes:

• Broken spring
• Stripped drive gear
• Failed start capacitor
• Opener disconnected from the door (release cord pulled)

Safe checks:

• Check whether the trolley is disconnected and reconnect it.
• Look for a broken spring before running the opener again.

When to call: Call if the trolley is connected and the springs look fine. See the service

Likely causes:

• Dead remote battery
• Lock mode is on
• Remote lost its programming
• Antenna damaged or blocked

Safe checks:

• Replace the battery.
• Turn off lock mode on the wall control.
• Reprogram the remote using the learn button.

When to call: Call if a new battery and reprogramming don't help. See the service

Likely causes:

• Broken or worn-out springs
• Snapped cable

Safe checks:

• Keep people and pets clear. A falling door is dangerous.

When to call: Call now and don't use the door. See the service

Likely causes:

• A stuck button on a remote or wall control
• A neighbour's remote on an old fixed-code opener
• Faulty logic board or wiring short

Safe checks:

• Remove the remote batteries and see if it stops.
• Clear the opener's memory and reprogram only your remotes.

When to call: Call if it continues, especially with an older opener without rolling-code security. See the service

Likely causes:

• Worn or torn bottom seal
• Uneven floor
• Close limit set too high

Safe checks:

• Look at the bottom rubber for cracks or flattening.

When to call: Call for a new bottom seal or threshold. See the service