Troubleshooting Garage Door Openers

Symptom: The remote works but the wall switch doesn't

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Test the wall switch

Unscrew one wire and touch the other terminal with it. If the opener runs, replace the switch.

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Test the wires

Jump the two terminals on the back of the opener with a short wire. If the opener runs, replace the wiring.

Fix: Replace the wall switch and wires

If the remote works but the wall switch doesn't, you may need to replace either the wall switch or the switch wires. To determine whether the switch or the wires are bad, first unscrew the switch from the wall and touch the two wires together (don't worry, the wires are low voltage and won't shock you). If the opener runs, you have a bad switch. If you have an older-model opener, a cheap doorbell button might work. If you have a newer opener that has a light and a locking option on the switch, buy the one designed for your model. A new one should cost you about $15.

If the opener doesn't run when you touch the wires at the opener, use a small wire and jump those same two wires at the opener terminal. If the opener runs, the wire that connects the opener to the switch is bad. Sometimes the staples that hold the wire to the wall pinch the wire, causing a short. Install 18- to 22-gauge wire.

Symptom: The wall switch works but the remote doesn't

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Install a new receiver

Plug your new receiver into an outlet and run two wires to the opener.

Fix: Replace batteries or buy a new remote or receiver

If the wall switch works but one of the remotes doesn't, check the batteries first. Still nothing? — You may need a new remote. Home centers carry a few models, and you can find a wide selection online.

If you can't find one for your garage door opener model, you can try a universal remote or you can install a new receiver. A receiver replaces the radio frequency the opener uses with its own. An added bonus of a new receiver is that it will automatically update older openers to the new rolling code technology, which stops the bad guys from stealing your code. Just plug the new receiver into an outlet close to the opener, and run the two wires provided to the same terminals the wall switch is connected to. A receiver with one remote costs around $60.

Dave Pike, Field Editor

Pete Grealish, Field Editor

Steve Yaeger, Field Editor

Reports from Field Editors

“No special training or online course is needed to fix a garage door opener. The only requirements are patience, a DIY aptitude and determination.”

Dave Pike is a Field Editor from Stillwater, MN. DIY is his approach for everything, except furnaces and new cars.

“After several years of operation, nylon gears will wear out, especially if your door isn't properly balanced. I found that replacing mine was an easy and relatively inexpensive fix.”

Pete Grealish is a Field Editor from Pocasset, MA. His favorite project was restoring his 1982 John Deere 214 garden tractor, but his wife's favorite project was the central air conditioner he installed.

“Always use rough-duty bulbs in your opener. You won't have to change them as frequently.”

Steve Yaeger is a Field Editor from Eagan, MN. He is on a lifelong quest to design and build the perfect workbench.

Symptom: The door goes up, but it only goes down when you hold down the wall switch

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When sensors go bad

Sensors are brand-specific; buy new ones made for your opener.

Fix: Align or replace the safety sensor

If the door goes up but goes down only when you hold down the wall switch, check to see that the safety sensors are in alignment. The small light on each sensor should be lit up when nothing is between them. Door sensors do go bad, so if no light is showing at all, you may need to replace them. You can save yourself some time by using the existing wires. Also, direct sunlight shining on sensor eyes can make them misbehave. A new pair of sensors sells for about $40.

Symptom: You have power to the outlet, but there’s no sound or no lights when you push the wall switch and remotes

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Remove the circuit board

Removing the circuit board is as easy as unscrewing a few screws and disconnecting a couple of plugs.

Fix: Replace the circuit board

If the outlet has power, but there's no sound or no lights when you push the wall switch and remotes, you probably have a bad circuit board. Lightning strikes are the most frequent reason for the demise of a circuit board. The circuit board consists of the entire plastic housing that holds the lightbulb and wire terminals. The part number should be on the board itself.

Replacing a circuit board sounds scary, but it's really quite easy. It will take 10 minutes tops and only requires a 1/4-in. nut driver. Just follow these steps: Remove the light cover, take out the lightbulb, disconnect the switch and safety sensor wires, remove a few screws, unplug the board and you're done. A circuit board will cost about $80, so make sure you protect your new one with a surge protector. You can buy an individual outlet surge protector at a home center for less than $10.

Symptom: Everything works fine except the lights

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Remove the old socket

Remove the circuit board housing to access the light socket. Then unclip the old socket and snap in the new one.

Fix: Replace the light socket

If the bulbs are OK but don't light up, you probably have a bad light socket. To replace the socket, you'll need to remove the circuit board to get at it. Use the same steps as in “Replace the Circuit Board” (above) to accomplish this.

Once the circuit board is removed, pop out the old socket by depressing the clip that holds it in place. Remove the two wire connections and install the new socket. Replacement sockets cost less than $15.

Be sure to use a bulb of the correct wattage. Using lightbulbs with a higher wattage than the socket is rated for will cause a socket to fail. Not only is this bad for the socket, but it can also be a fire hazard. If your light cover has turned yellow from heat, you're probably using too strong a bulb.

Symptom: The trolley carriage moves but the door doesn't open

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Slide on the new carriage trolley

Leave the rail attached to the opener, and install the new trolley from the other side. Clamp down the chain to make reassembly easier.

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Mark the chain and sprocket

If you have to remove the chain from your garage door opener for any reason, mark its location on the sprocket with a marker or wax pencil. The opener will require less adjusting when you put it back together.

Fix: Replace the trolley carriage

If the trolley carriage moves but the door doesn't open, the culprit is probably a broken trolley carriage. Before you pull the old one off, clamp down the chain to the rail. This will help maintain the location of the chain on the sprocket and speed up reassembly.

Once the chain is secure, separate it from both sides of the trolley. Disconnect the rail from the header bracket and move the rail off to one side. Slide off the old trolley, and slide on the new one. Reattach the chain and adjust the chain tension. Replacing the trolley on a belt drive and replacing it on a screw drive are similar procedures. A new trolley will cost $25 to $40 depending on your model.

Symptom: The opener makes a grinding noise but the door doesn't move

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Photo 1: Pull out the old gear

The shaft, sprocket and main drive gear should all come out as one piece. This procedure is best performed on a benchtop.

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Photo 2: Remove the gear from the shaft

Support the shaft on a 2x4 and use a punch to drive out the pin that holds the gear in place.

Fix: Replace the main gear drive

If the garage door opener makes a grinding noise but the door doesn't move, your main drive gear is probably toast. The main drive gear is the plastic gear that comes in direct contact with the worm drive gear on the motor. The main drive gear is the most common component to fail on most openers.

Replacing it is a bit more complicated than the other repairs in this article but still well within the wheelhouse of the average DIYer. There are several components that need to be removed before getting at the gear. For a detailed step-by-step description of this procedure, check out “How to Rebuild a Garage Door Opener.”

Once you get the gear out, you can remove it from the shaft with a punch, or you can buy a kit that comes with a new shaft. Make sure you lube it all up when you're done. The gear alone should cost you less than $20. A complete kit that comes with the shaft will cost closer to $40.

Lube the rail

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Grease the screw drive rail

Once a year, apply 1- to 2-in. dabs at three points along the rail.

No matter what type of garage door opener you have, you should always lube the rail where it comes in contact with the trolley carriage. Use a lubricant that doesn't attract dirt. Silicone spray is a good choice. If you have a screw-drive opener, you'll need to grease several spots along the rail gear at least once or twice a year. In colder climates, use lithium grease, which won't harden when the temperature drops. Many home centers sell specifically formulated products near the openers. And don't use too much or it could drip on your car.

Check the chain tension

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Measure the slack on the chain

Check for proper chain tension by measuring the distance between the chain and the rail at a point close to the center of the rail.

Most chain drive openers suggest you tighten the chain so there's about 1/4 in. to 1/2 in. of slack from the rail to the chain (check your manual). Over tightening the chain will put excess wear and tear on the shaft and gears. Too little tension could cause the chain to skip off the sprocket and fall down on your car.

Adjust the travel of the door

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Overtravel causes bow in the rail

If you notice an upward bow in the rail, reduce the distance the door travels down. A door that travels too far down causes excess wear and tear on the opener.

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Stop the trolley short of the door stop

The carriage trolley will be damaged if it crashes into the door stop.

There are two knobs on the opener that control how far the door travels up and down. Your door should press snugly against the garage floor so the weather stripping seals the gap. If the door travels too far down, it will cause the rail to bow upward. This also causes excess wear and tear on the shaft and gears.

Your door should travel up far enough so that the bottom of the door is just about the same height as the doorjamb. There is a door stop that prevents the carriage trolley from crashing into the opener. Make sure the trolley stops before hitting this bolt.