Most Common Signs That You Need to Replace Your Garage Door Opener

Garage door openers are crucial to the function of your entire garage door system, and they tend to last a long time. But like all machines, they eventually malfunction and require repair or replacement. It’s important that you can identify the warning signs that your garage door opener isn’t working properly so you can request the help of a professional technician.

You should always leave your garage door opener repairs or replacements up to those with professional training. An opener contains many different parts that you may not be aware of, and handling it without the proper training puts yourself and others who use the door in danger.

This post will help you learn how to identify the common signs that indicate you need to replace your garage door opener, as well as ways to rule out other simpler causes.

Garage Door Won’t Open or Close

One of the most obvious signs that your garage door opener needs to be replaced or repaired is if you press the button to open or close the door and it doesn’t budge.

Possible Solutions and What to Do

Dead remote batteries: Before you get ahead of yourself and assume your opener is broken, test all your garage door remotes and the wall unit to rule out the issue of dead batteries. If one of your remotes needs new batteries, replace the batteries in all your remotes to avoid inconsistent performance.
Door not connected to opener: If the batteries aren’t to blame, you may see the light appear on the opener and even hear some sounds like it’s trying to open or close the door when you press your garage door remote. It could be possible that you forgot to reconnect the door after a power outage or testing the door’s balance. If this is the case, reconnect the door and opener by doing the following:
- Close the door (manually).
- Press the Close button on your remote.
- If you have a door that doesn’t automatically connect, pull the emergency release cord toward the garage door.

Garage Door Works Intermittently

If your garage door operates with a mind of its own, not consistently opening or closing when you press the button (and you’ve already ruled out waning batteries) there’s likely a wiring issue at fault. This is typically a troubleshooting dead end. Your best next step is to have the system inspected by a certified garage door technician.

For safety and security reasons, a garage door that opens or closes by itself without you pressing the button also requires immediate attention.

For other opener concerns, such as a beeping opener or an opener light that won’t turn off, check out this troubleshooting guide for LiftMaster garage door openers.

Garage Door Opens Then Reverses

Another common behavioral red flag from your door that could point to an opener issue is when it opens partway or all the way and then reverses directions. Luckily, many times this symptom has a simple solution.

Possible Solutions and What to Do

Check photo safety eyes: Your garage door features a set of safety sensors that hover above the floor on either side of the door frame, positioned parallel to one another. They’re what prevents the door from closing when something or someone is in the open door’s path.
- Is there anything lying in the door path? Remove any obstructions and sweep this area clean. Then use a paper towel to remove any dirt or dust from each safety lens.
- It could also be that your safety eyes are misaligned. Follow along with our safety eyes alignment video for a step-by-step guide to realigning safety eyes.

Garage Door Opener Makes Unusual Noises

A telltale sign of a damaged garage door opener is strange sounds. If you start hearing your garage door opener make noises that you’ve never heard before as it opens or closes the door, it’s likely that it needs to be repaired or replaced. Even if you’ve noticed that it’s been louder than usual, you should have a professional look at it.

If you notice that your garage door opener is constantly loud, it could just mean that it’s an older model. Depending on how it performs in a thorough performance test, your technician may suggest you replace it.

Garage Door Opener is an Older Model

If you’ve been having frequent problems with your garage door opener and it’s an older model (15+ years), it’s a good idea to consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

Since some garage door opener models aren’t made anymore, a complete replacement often becomes the only option without replacement parts available. If your opener doesn’t come with safety eyes (which became a standard safety feature on most doors in 1993), it’s a good idea to get it replaced.

Check out these benefits of replacing your old garage door.