Common Garage Door Problems
Please click on a problem below to see the possible causes and solutions.
- Bottom of door is up on one side.
- Door closes only if you hold in the push button.
- Door closes part way and reverses.
- Door is cocked.
- Door is jammed.
- Door is uneven.
- Door opens slowly.
- Door won’t close all the way – is uneven.
- Door won’t close all the way.
- Door won’t open
- Door won’t stay open.
- Loud bang before the door quit working.
- Opener is straining as door opens.
- Popping sound as door operates.
- Radio controls will open but not close the door.
- Rear support for upper track is broken.
- Scraping sound
- Squeaks
1. Bottom of door is up on one side.
CauseSolution
Frayed CableReplace cable.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
2. Door closes only if you hold in the push button.
CauseSolution
Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyesAlign, clean or replace if needed.
3. Door closes part way and reverses.
CauseSolution
Broken CableReplace cable.
Close force not properly adjustedAdjust force.
Dry rollers, bearingsLubricate.
Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyesAlign, clean or replace if needed.
Track is bent.Straighten, adjust or replace track.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
4. Door is cocked.
CauseSolution
Broken CableReplace cable.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
5. Door is jammed.
CauseSolution
Broken CableReplace cable.
Track is bent.Straighten, adjust or replace track.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
6. Door is uneven.
CauseSolution
Broken CableReplace cable.
Broken Extension SpringReplace spring.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
7. Door opens slowly.
CauseSolution
Broken SpringReplace spring.
8. Door won’t close all the way – is uneven.
CauseSolution
Broken CableReplace cable.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
9. Door won’t close all the way.
CauseSolution
Door binds in tracksAdjust track spacing or trim molding.
Replace any bent hinges
Track is bent.Straighten, adjust or replace track.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
10. Door won’t open
CauseSolution
Broken SpringReplace spring.
Track is bent.Straighten, adjust or replace track.
11. Door won’t stay open.
CauseSolution
Spring has taken a set.Adjust spring or springs.
12. Loud bang before the door quit working.
CauseSolution
Broken SpringReplace spring.
13. Opener is straining as door opens.
CauseSolution
Broken SpringReplace spring.
14. Popping sound as door operates.
CauseSolution
Worn RollersReplace rollers.
15. Radio controls will open but not close the door.
CauseSolution
Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyesAlign, clean or replace if needed.
16. Rear support for upper track is broken.
CauseSolution
Broken Extension SpringReplace spring.
Broken Extension Spring CableReplace cable.
17. Scraping sound
CauseSolution
Bearing plate tiltedStraighten, reinforce, file shaft,
replace bearing if needed.
Frayed CableReplace cable.
Misaligned reinforcing strut.Space strut evenly on sections.
Worn Extension Spring Cable pulleys.Replace worn pulleys.
18. Squeaks
CauseSolution
Dry rollers, bearings, hingesLubricate.
