Residential garage doors are usually among the most trouble-free components in the average home, especially considering the number of moving parts on the opener and door itself. However, there are occasions when garage doors don't function as they should, and those moments can make life difficult. Fortunately, the problem is usually one of a few simple, easily corrected issues that can be addressed by homeowners. Below are three common reasons why your garage door isn't opening or closing and how you can fix the trouble:
The system is in 'locked' status
The first, and simplest, check to perform when your garage door isn't working is to ensure your system is unlocked. On the wall-mounted opener control in your garage, you will see a button labeled 'Lock'. The purpose of this button is to completely lock out any remote operation of the system; this function is useful during extended absences when you wish to add an extra level of security. However, if someone has accidentally pressed the 'Lock' button, then the unintended effect may lead you to believe your system is malfunctioning.
Checking for a locked system is easy; simply take a look at the large opener button on the wall control. If there is an illuminated light behind the button, then you know it is locked. Keep in mind that accumulated dust, cobwebs and other debris can shield the light or make it difficult to see, so clear away anything blocking the button. To unlock the system, depress the 'Lock' button until the light turns off; it may take a second or two of holding down the button, so don't let go too soon.
No electrical power for the opener
Take a look at your opener, and you will notice it is plugged into an outlet mounted on the ceiling of your garage. Since this is a standard 120 volt AC outlet, you can plug any powered device into the outlet to check for the presence of electric current. Be careful that you use something safe, especially since you will be climbing a stepladder to access the outlet; for example, don't plug in power tools that might accidentally start and cause you to fall. Instead, use a radio or small lamp.
If whatever device you plug into the outlet isn't working, then the likely cause of the problem is a tripped breaker. Find your home's breaker panel and locate the appropriate breaker switch for the garage door circuit; there should be a numbered "key" on the backside of the panel door indicating which breaker controls the garage door opener. Flip the breaker switch all the way to the 'OFF' position, then push it back into the 'ON' position. That will ensure the internal switch is completely activated, permitting current to flow to the opener.
A sensor is misaligned
Another common cause for an inoperative garage door is a misaligned door obstruction sensor. There are sensors on each side of your door--one a sender and the other a receiver--that work in tandem to detect if someone or something is blocking the path of the door travel. Designed as a federally-mandated safety mechanism to prevent injury or damage from a closing door, the sensors can prevent your door from operating properly if the sender's invisible electronic beam fails to reach the receiver.
Garage door sensors are attached to the rails of the garage door track within a couple of feet of the bottom of the door. Their location makes them vulnerable to being kicked or struck by objects in the garage, and this can knock them out of alignment. To check for a misaligned sensor, look at each sensor for the presence of an LED light. Properly aligned sensors will have a green or amber-colored light; if the sensor is illuminated red, flickers, or is not lit at all, then you know there is trouble with the alignment of one or perhaps both of the sensors. The sensors are attached with tension clips that can be adjusted by sliding them around on the rails. Grasp the sensor clips firmly, then slowly move them around until the lights are illuminated green or amber. It may be easier to have an assistant help you observe the opposite sensor's light while you adjust either the sending or receiving unit.
