Signs You Need a New Garage Door Opener

Electronic openers are a quick, easy way to raise and lower your garage door — and thanks to modern technology, many also come with an array of helpful safety and security features. Though you might tend to forget about your garage door opener, they undergo a lot of stress and movement each day and may start to show signs of wear.

How Do I Know I Need a New Garage Door Opener?

When you initiate the signal to raise or lower your garage door, the keypad or remote control sends an alert to the overhead opener, which prompts the drive into motion. The electric motor inside the opener moves the door along the tracks, while rollers keep those movements smooth and quiet. Special sensors help the opener detect when something is in the way.

The Dangers of a Damaged Garage Door Opener

A broken or aging door opening system is a risk to your home’s security, your safety and your property. A faulty garage door opener can cause problems like these.

• Make you late: You rely on your garage door to open and close each time you use the remote or keypad — including when you leave for your morning commute. A faulty door opening system may become unreliable or unresponsive, wasting valuable time.
• Leave your home vulnerable: A failing garage door opener leaves your garage and home vulnerable to break-ins and theft. If your garage door fails to open or close all the way, people and wildlife can make their way indoors and wreak havoc.
• Threaten people and pets: The most dangerous part of a failing garage door opener is when it becomes unpredictable. If your door suddenly closes or the sensor that alerts the system when a person or object is in the way breaks, people and pets can get hurt.
• Damage your property: Just like an unreliable, unpredictable garage door threatens your family and pets’ well-being, it also jeopardizes your property. Your garage door can damage your car’s hood or top rack, and any other item or vehicle sitting in its path.

Signs Your Garage Door Opener Needs Servicing

Flawless opener performance is critical — each component must function correctly, and at the right time, so your door opens and closes with ease. 

These are some common signs your garage door opener is failing:  

• Sluggish performance
• Frequent glitches
• Occasional or frequent unresponsiveness
• Unexpected reversing
• Stalling in the middle of lifting or lowering
• Unresponsive remote or keypad
• Excess vibrations
• Rattling sounds
• Partially opening or closing

Common Issues With Malfunctioning Garage Door Openers

A garage door opener could be malfunctioning for various reasons.

• The sensor: The door opener has a built-in sensor system that lets the door “see” when a person or obstacle is in its path. The sensor then communicates with the rest of the opener system to stop the door from lowering any further. Sensors can become misaligned, dirty or may require a reset to remain effective.
• Its age: Old door openers may have several worn or outdated parts, features and settings that could impact performance, like slower movements or unreliable operation. They also lack modern features that improve performance.
• The batteries: Different types of batteries and openers have various life expectancies, but all batteries eventually need replacement. Signs you might be dealing with a dead battery include a lack of response between the remote and the opener, no lights or indication that the opener is receiving a signal and overall lack of performance.
• Your range: If you’re too far from the opener, you may be out of range to establish a connection between you and the sensor.
• The rollers: The rollers are an integral part of your opener system — they move the door along its tracks smoothly. Unfortunately, rollers can get damaged if there is significant buildup, rust or even in cold temperatures. They also require periodic lubrication.
• The remote: If your door opener has no visible sign of damage or seems to have stopped working overnight, the remote control or keypad you use to operate it may be the issue.
• The motor: The motor inside the door opener can stop working due to deterioration from age or impact-related damage caused by natural disasters. It may also suffer from being under- or overworked. Your motor is usually the culprit if you hear excessive noise or rattling coming from the opener.

When to Replace Your Garage Door Opener

If you’re experiencing signs of a malfunctioning door opener system, here’s how to know when it’s time to call a professional.

• You’re dealing with recurring issues: Occasional performance issues or a single faulty component usually resolve with a quick repair or part replacement. However, if these problems recur or you’re having issues with several different parts at once, it may be a safer move and smarter financial decision to invest in a replacement.
• The opener is unresponsive: An unresponsive system means you must manually open your garage door until you figure out a solution to the problem. If your system has stopped responding despite part replacements or troubleshooting, a replacement may be necessary.
• You want improved features: Aging door opener systems may still perform well, but you might be missing out on today’s advanced safety and security features that can enhance your experience and protect your garage from outside threats. Newer systems are also quieter, faster and integrate with other smart home technology for ultimate convenience.

Garage door openers are intricate systems with several components that work together for smooth, reliable performance. They require a trained eye and skilled technician who knows how to safely and effectively repair a garage door opener. A professional will diagnose, repair and replace when necessary. Attempting to fix your door opener on your own may worsen the problem and cost more time and money to replace it later on.

Call R&R Doors for Garage Door Opener Repair

If your garage door opener is no longer performing as it should, don’t delay — a functioning door opener system is crucial for you, your home and your property’s well-being. The skilled technicians at R&R Doors have years of garage door experience and training that lets them assess, diagnose and quickly repair or replace your opener while maintaining the strictest safety guidelines.

Schedule a service appointment online, and a technician will contact you to determine the best time to come to your home, inspect your system and provide a free estimate. Your garage door opener might need a simple tune-up or a sensor reset, or it may require complex part replacements or total system replacement. We will work with you to create an action plan and secure any necessary parts from the original vendors for optimal performance. 

Contact us to schedule your appointment and learn more about our residential garage door openers today!