Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Opener Repair

Your garage door opener works to keep your garage operating normally. They typically have a long life but like all machinery, they malfunction or get old and need repair or replacement. You don’t realize what you’ve got until it’s gone, and when your opener stops working, this can shift your day-to-day dramatically.

This article will help you understand the signs of a malfunctioning opener and whether you need garage door opener repair.

Signs It May Be Time To Replace Your Garage Door Opener

It happens to the best of us, we notice something is off about our machinery, yet we leave it till the last minute to repair. The trouble with doing this for any part of your garage is that it can put a lot of people in danger. Whether it’s something minor like your car getting locked in or out of your garage or a torsion spring bursts, a garage door repair is nothing to mess around with.

To prevent anything like this from happening to you, here are a few signs that your garage door opener may need a repair:

Your garage door opener is making unusual noises

If your machinery is making odd noises like humming, you can take that as a sign it’s telling you to take a closer look. It may sound like your garage is louder than usual or making a sound you’ve never heard before. However, if your garage has always been fairly loud, it may just be an older model and your technician may recommend getting it replaced.

Your garage door gets stuck or stalls while opening

When your garage door doesn’t open or close all the way, this is a sure sign that it needs repair. An unreliable garage door can put you and everyone else at risk of getting stuck or damaging your car. If it doesn’t close all the way, this can also invite unwanted weather, critters or even intruders. Additionally, an open garage door can ruin your home’s energy efficiency, letting out the heating or cooling of your home.

Your garage door randomly functions

A garage door that opens or closes randomly can be just as dangerous as one that stalls or gets stuck. The worst part of one that opens at random is that you almost never know when it’s going to work. This is likely due to a problem with the wiring and a garage door repair services professional can come in and correct the issue.

Your garage door reverses when opening or closing

If you’re closing or opening a garage and it suddenly reverses its direction, you could have a problem either with the opener or the sensors.

The sensors, also known as the photo safety eyes, typically sit at the very base of your garage door frame and feature sensors that detect anything that may be directly underneath the door. Make sure this isn’t the case and check there is nothing in front of the sensors as you’re trying to close the garage.

If the path is clear, then it may be an issue with the opener.

Your door won’t open at all

The lights on your door opener wall button may blink or fail to trigger your door, signaling it’s time for a repair.

There may come a time when you press down on the garage door opener and the door doesn’t move at all no matter how many times you try. This could mean one of two things: The opener batteries are dead or the door is no longer connected to the opener.

If your batteries are dead, be sure to replace the batteries in all of your remotes to avoid inconsistencies in performance.

If the garage door is no longer connecting to the opener, you may have forgotten to reconnect the two together after a power outage. Check your Amarr garage door opener manual for guidance or call your local Amarr dealer for door opener service.

Troubleshooting Easy DIY Repairs

There are some problems that are easy to identify and fix on your own, whereas others require professional help. Knowing the difference will help you and your loved ones stay safe. Additionally, if you try to DIY repairs on your garage door, you may invalidate your warranty.

The first step to troubleshooting your garage door opener issue besides observing its functionality is to take a look around the inside of your garage. Look for broken or dislodged pieces, listen for strange noises or sporadic function — these will tell you if you need to call in a professional.

If you have a question on the types of repairs you can do on your own without spoiling the warranty, check our warranty guidelines or contact your local Amarr garage door dealer for garage door opener service.

There may be a circumstance where you will have to replace the entire garage door system. Take a look at the garage door you currently have and notice if it is making a lot of noise, doesn’t have photo safety eyes or parts of it looks rusted. If these sound familiar, you have an opportunity to upgrade your garage with the newest garage door opener technology.

How Professionals Fix Your Garage Door Opener

A garage door that doesn’t work never comes at a good time. But professionally trained technicians have the experience and tools necessary to get the job done quickly and safely. The biggest point that a technician can help with — and the reason you should call in a professional right away — is potential damage to the motor that runs the entire machine. New garage door opener installation is fast, reliable and sometimes necessary.

Worn gears or reconnecting the cables back to the motor are easy fixes when put into professional hands.

Your garage door has about 10,000 cycles — opening and closing — before it starts to wear down. After garage door installation, the door itself should last around 30 years depending on where you live and the weather conditions.

However, the parts like the motor, opener, springs and so on need garage door maintenance as often as any other part of your home. While you should clean dirt and debris, professionals will take care of grime build-up on the motor or more technical areas of the garage door system.

Ignoring signs of damage or wear could take a simple repair up to a full garage door replacement. A new Amarr garage door comes with a comprehensive warranty package that can help you take care of your door and ensure machinery longevity.

Find a Technician in Your Area

Amarr has a network of 4,000 independent professional garage door dealers that can help you determine your garage door issue. Amarr has helped homeowners repair or replace their garage doors for over 70 years. Our dealers are knowledgeable and can help guide you through the service and repair process. Get in touch with your local Amarr garage door dealer today.