Why won't my garage door open?

 

There are several common issues that would cause your garage door not to open.  Sometimes it is a quick fix that you can handle yourself, but often times it requires an expert to address the issue.  The following is just a quick summary of possibilities and should not be considered all inclusive.

  1. Your garage door operator is not plugged in, or their is not power supplied to the outlet. This is a common issue that is frequently overlooked.  Make sure your garage door motor is plugged into a working outlet. If your garage door openers outlet is on a switch be sure the switch is not turned off. 

 2. Your photo eye's are not seeing each other or they have no power.  Most garage door openers are equipped with photo eyes, which detect if a person or object is in the way of the door as it is closing.  If the connection between the sensors is disrupted, the door will stop closing to minimize injury or damage. Check to make sure there is nothing in the way of the photo eyes. These photo eyes are sensitive enough that they will read dust or cobwebs as an interference.  Occasionally the eyes can get dirty, so clean the eyes with a tissue. Photo eyes are electronic so make sure they don't get wet. 

 3. You have a broken spring. This is a very common problem with garage doors.  The springs that help lift the door are rated for a certain number of cycles.  When the springs snap the motor can no longer lift the door on its own.  You should not try to open the door if your spring is broken.  A door with a broken spring can be very dangerous and should be handled by a professional. We do sell extension springs over the counter but strongly advise having one of our garage door experts replace your broken spring. (We DO NOT sell torsion springs to consumers for safety reasons).
 
4.  Your cables are snapped.  When a spring breaks, it releases a very large amount of energy and can seriously injure a person or damage a vehicle or wall. Very often when a spring breaks the cable will also break.  If you see that the spring is also broken see above.

5. My remote or keyless will not work but the wall button does.  If your remote or keyless entry are not working try changing out the batteries. If this does not solve your problem then try to re-program your remote or keypad. This requires you to get on a ladder and be comfortable accessing the hanging unit.

To schedule your service call to address any of these issues call Belanger Garage Door @ 207-286-9991