Safe checks you can do first
None of these checks involve touching springs, cables or other parts under tension. Stop if anything looks damaged, or if the door seems heavy, crooked or stuck.
1. Check power to the opener
Does the opener's light come on? If nothing happens at all, make sure the opener is plugged in, that the outlet has power (try a lamp or phone charger), and that a circuit breaker or GFCI outlet hasn't tripped.
2. Try the wall control and the remote
If the wall button works but the remote doesn't, the problem is most likely the remote. Replace its battery and try again. Keypads on the outside of the garage use batteries too.
3. Check for lock or vacation mode
Many wall controls have a lock or "vacation" setting that stops remotes from working. A blinking light on the wall control or the opener can be a sign that it's on. Your opener's manual will explain how to turn it off for your model.
4. Look at the safety sensors
Near the bottom of the door tracks are two small photo-eye sensors facing each other. If the door starts to close and then reverses, or only closes while you hold the wall button down, look for anything blocking the beam, such as a trash can, leaves or a cobweb, and gently wipe dirt off the lenses. Most sensors have indicator lights; a dark or blinking light can mean they're out of alignment, which a technician can adjust. Never disable or bypass the sensors. They're there to keep the door from closing on people, pets and cars.
5. Check whether the opener has been disconnected
If someone pulled the red emergency release cord, the opener may run without moving the door. How to reconnect it varies by model, so follow your opener's manual, and only do it with the door fully closed. If the door won't stay closed or feels heavy, stop and request help.
6. Look, but don't force, for a jam
Is anything in the door's path? Does the door look crooked, or have rollers come out of the track? If so, that's a door problem rather than an opener problem. Don't try to force it.
7. Listen
Clicking, humming or grinding with no movement points to different problems than complete silence. Make a note of what you hear; it helps the company diagnose the issue.
Is it the opener, or the door?
An opener only guides a balanced door. If the door, springs or hardware have a problem, the opener can't make up for it. These patterns are common, though only an inspection can confirm the cause:
| What you notice | Often an opener issue | Often a door, spring or hardware issue |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing happens: no light, no sound | Power, breaker, wall control or the opener itself | Unlikely |
| Remote doesn't work, but the wall button does | Remote battery, lock mode or remote programming | Unlikely |
| Motor runs or hums, but the door doesn't move | Opener disconnected from the door, or worn internal parts | Broken spring or a jammed door |
| Door starts to close, then reverses | Blocked, dirty or misaligned safety sensors, or opener settings | Door binding, a damaged track or a spring problem |
| Loud bang, then the door is very heavy | Unlikely | Likely a broken spring |
| Door is crooked, a cable is loose, or rollers are out of the track | Unlikely | Door hardware problem |
When to stop using the door
- You heard a loud bang, or you can see a gap in a spring.
- The door is crooked or off its track, or a cable is loose or frayed.
- The door feels very heavy, drops quickly, or won't stay in place.
- The opener strains, grinds, smokes or smells like it's burning.
- The door keeps reversing and you can't find an obvious reason.
In any of these cases, leave the door where it is, keep people and vehicles clear, and request help. If it sounds like a spring, see signs of a broken garage door spring.
What to have ready when you request help
- Your city.
- Your opener's brand and rough age, if you know.
- What happens when you press the button: a light, a sound, movement or nothing.
- Whether the door is open, closed or stuck partway.
- What you've already checked from the list above.
How we route your request
- Submit the request form and choose "Opener not working," or call (385) 276-2164.
- We pass your request to an independent garage door company that serves your area.
- That company contacts you to confirm the details and timing.
- They diagnose whether the problem is the opener or the door, explain whether a repair or a replacement makes sense, and give you a price.
Our matching service is free. The garage door work itself is quoted, scheduled, performed and billed by the independent company you're matched with, and you're under no obligation to hire them. Learn how our referral service works.
Replacing the door too? An older opener may not be the right match for a new door. See what to know before getting a new garage door.