Why won't my garage door close?

Common reasons include: misaligned safety sensors, obstructions in the door path, broken springs, stripped gears in the opener, or issues with the close limit settings. Check the safety sensors first - they should both have steady lights.

Should I repair or replace my garage door?

Consider replacing if: the door is over 15-20 years old, has significant rust or structural damage, panels are severely damaged, or you want to upgrade to an insulated door. Many issues like springs, cables, sensors, and openers are cost-effective to repair.

What do the blinking lights on my garage door opener mean?

Blinking lights indicate error codes. For LiftMaster/Chamberlain: 1 blink = sensor wire issue, 2 blinks = sensor wire short, 3 blinks = door control wire issue, 4 blinks = sensor misalignment, 5 blinks = motor issue. Use our error code lookup tool for specific diagnosis.

How do I calculate what torsion spring I need?

To calculate the correct torsion spring, you need: door height, door width, door weight, track type, and number of springs. The formula involves IPPT (Inch-Pounds Per Turn) = d^4 × E / (10.8 × D × Na). Use our spring calculator for accurate results.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

Torsion spring replacement is dangerous and recommended only for trained professionals due to the extreme tension (over 200 lbs of force). Extension springs are safer for DIY but still require proper safety precautions and tools.

Garage Door Keypad Not Working

DIY Friendly5-20 minutes

When your garage door keypad stops working, dead batteries are the cause 80% of the time. Replace the battery first (usually 9V or AA). If that doesn't help, the keypad may need reprogramming or the contacts might be worn out.

Common Symptoms

No response when entering code
Keypad lights don't illuminate
Some buttons work, others don't
Code worked yesterday but not today

Possible Causes

•Dead batteries
•Keypad lost programming
•Worn button contacts
•Weather damage (water, sun, cold)
•Keypad out of range

How to Fix It

Replace the batteries

Open the battery compartment and install fresh batteries. Use quality alkaline batteries. Even if the old batteries test okay, try new ones.

Test the keypad

Enter your code and press ENTER (or the door symbol). Watch for any lights or listen for beeps.

Verify other controls work

Try the wall button and remote. If those work, the problem is isolated to the keypad.

Reprogram the keypad

Press the LEARN button on your opener, then enter your code on the keypad within 30 seconds and press ENTER.

Clean the button contacts

Remove batteries, then press each button several times to flex the membrane. Clean around buttons with rubbing alcohol.

Consider replacement

If buttons are worn, cracked, or water-damaged, replacement keypads are available at hardware stores and program in minutes.

When to Call a Professional

•Keypad and all other controls don't work (opener issue)
•Programming repeatedly fails
•Keypad is hardwired (not wireless)

Frequently Asked Questions

I forgot my keypad code. What do I do?

You don't need the old code. Press the LEARN button on the opener to enter programming mode, then enter a new code on the keypad. The old code is automatically erased.

Why does my keypad work sometimes but not always?

Intermittent operation usually means dying batteries, corroded contacts, or extreme temperatures affecting electronics. Start with fresh batteries.

Can someone guess my keypad code?

A 4-digit code has 10,000 combinations, and most keypads lock out after several wrong attempts. Choose a code that's not obvious (not 1234 or your address).