GDT

Garage Door Not Working?

Answer a few questions to diagnose the problem and get step-by-step repair instructions. Free, no signup required.

What's happening with your garage door?

Step-by-Step Guides

Clear instructions for DIY repairs with safety warnings and when to call a professional.

DIY vs Professional

Know which repairs you can safely tackle yourself and when to call a professional.

Maintenance Tips

Prevent future problems with our maintenance checklist. Keep your door running smoothly.

Common Garage Door Problems

In-depth guides for the most frequent issues homeowners face.

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Garage Door Won't Close
DIY Friendly

When your garage door won't close, the most common cause is blocked or misaligned safety sensors near the floor. These s...

5-30 minutes
Garage Door Won't Open
DIY Friendly

When your garage door won't open, start by checking the simplest causes: dead remote batteries, power outage to the open...

5 minutes - 2 hours
Noisy Garage Door
DIY Friendly

Most garage door noise comes from lack of lubrication, loose hardware, or worn rollers. Apply garage door lubricant to a...

15-45 minutes
Garage Door Stuck or Off Track
Moderate

A stuck or off-track garage door is usually caused by broken cables, obstructions in the track, worn rollers, or track d...

30 minutes - 2 hours
Garage Door Remote Not Working
DIY Friendly

When your garage door remote stops working, the cause is almost always dead batteries, lost programming, or signal inter...

5-20 minutes
Garage Door Spring Problems
Call a Pro

A broken garage door spring is usually obvious: you hear a loud bang, the door becomes extremely heavy, and you can see ...

1-2 hours (professional)
Garage Door Opener Not Responding
Moderate

When your garage door opener shows no signs of life—no lights, no sounds, no response to any controls—it's typically an ...

15-60 minutes
Garage Door Opens By Itself
DIY Friendly

A garage door that opens by itself is usually caused by a stuck wall button, a remote with a stuck button (often in a dr...

15-45 minutes
Door Reverses Before Fully Closing
DIY Friendly

When your garage door starts closing but reverses before reaching the floor, the safety sensors are usually the culprit....

10-30 minutes
Door Closes Completely Then Reopens
DIY Friendly

When your garage door closes all the way to the floor and then immediately reverses and opens, the close-limit switch is...

10-20 minutes
Garage Door Keypad Not Working
DIY Friendly

When your garage door keypad stops working, dead batteries are the cause 80% of the time. Replace the battery first (usu...

5-20 minutes
Garage Door Opens or Closes Slowly
DIY Friendly

A garage door that moves slowly is usually suffering from lack of lubrication, worn rollers, or weakening springs. The o...

20-60 minutes
Garage Door Off Track
Advanced

A garage door that has come off its track is a serious safety issue. Stop using the door immediately—don't try to force ...

1-3 hours (professional)
Weather Seal Cracked or Damaged
DIY Friendly

The rubber or vinyl weather seal at the bottom of your garage door wears out over time from sun exposure, temperature ex...

30-60 minutes
Garage Door Panel Damaged
Moderate

A damaged garage door panel can sometimes be repaired for minor dents, but significant damage usually requires panel rep...

2-4 hours (professional)
Safety Sensor Problems
DIY Friendly

Garage door safety sensors prevent the door from closing on people or objects. When they malfunction—indicated by blinki...

5-20 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my garage door close?

The most common cause is blocked or misaligned safety sensors near the floor. Check that nothing is blocking the sensors, clean the lenses, and ensure they're properly aligned with each other. If lights are blinking, realignment is usually needed.

What repairs can I do myself?

Many repairs are DIY-friendly: sensor alignment, lubrication, roller replacement (except bottom rollers), remote programming, and weather seal replacement. Spring and cable repairs are dangerous and should always be left to professionals.

Can I repair my garage door myself?

Many repairs are DIY-friendly: sensor alignment, lubrication, roller replacement (except bottom rollers), remote programming, and weather seal replacement. However, spring and cable repairs are dangerous and should always be left to professionals.