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It’s been a long day. It’s time to finally go back into your home and wind down for the night. When you press the button on your garage door opener to be let in, the door opens a little before slamming back down.

You try a few more times, but the result is the same. You can’t get back into your home. This is one of the most common garage door problems that homeowners come across.

That means that there are a couple of ways you can troubleshoot it. Follow this guide so you can weigh your options and get back inside.

The Door Has Problems Rising 

Your garage door slides up and down a track using something called rollers. If these rollers are worn out, it will be hard for the door to rise as it should.

To avoid this problem, you’ve got to lubricate the rollers at least once a week or so. They should also be replaced every five years.

The good news is that if you’re running into this problem now, a simple replacement should help. Once you call a service in your area to take care of it, you should be good to go.

The Eye is Out of Alignment 

Any garage door that was made after 1993 has certain security measures in place. There are two little lasers that run along the bottom of the door. These lasers detect if there is a person or object obstructing the door and will stop it from slamming down.

If your door opens fine but refuses to close all the way, it’s time to inspect the eyes. If they’re dirty, your problem might be solved by wiping them off.

If it still won’t close after the eyes are clean, the issue is the alignment. The eyes have to be pointing in the same direction and be at the same angle in order to work. If anything is off, they’ll detect that something is in the way and won’t let the door close.

You can use a laser leveler to fix the problem. If you don’t have one on hand, a regular old leveler will work just as well. Once you get everything evened out, try your door again.

Your Door Opens and Closes Slowly 

So, your door will open and close, but it tends to take its own sweet time. You might have a damaged spring on your hands or the problem could be something else entirely.

Your best bet is to call a repair service. They’ll come out to examine the door, let you know what the problem is, and tell you how to fix it.

Your Transmitter Batteries are Low on Power

Without power, your transmitter is a brick. If the batteries are dead or dying, the transmitter won’t be able to send a signal to your door and open it.

To test it, head to the transmitter that’s inside the garage. If the door opens when you press the button, you know the problem is with the transmitter in your car. Before you call a service or do any tinkering of your own, change the batteries in the transmitter that’s not working.

The Door is Making a Lot of Noise

If your door starts making a lot of noise, this is grounds to call a repair service. The problem could be something as simple as the moving parts inside of the door needing lubrication.

It could also be a broken spring, which is something that you should never try to fix yourself. It’s too dangerous. The door might also be out of alignment.

The Track is Out of Alignment 

The door won’t be able to run the way it should if it’s not on the track. Look up at the rollers. If you see any gaps, you’ll need to fix the door asap. If you still try to run it, the door may suffer from further damage.

Sometimes you won’t see gaps but the door is still out of alignment. When this happens, you’ll hear loud noises. The door may also slow down when it hits the area where it’s misaligned.

You can put the door back into place yourself, but you’ve got to be careful. Loosen the screws that are holding the track to the frame. Grab a rubber mallet and give the track a steady bump.

This should be enough to pop it back into place. Tighten the screws back, and you’re good to go.

Something is in the Door’s Way 

Again, the door won’t close all the way if the sensors detect that’s something obstructing it. Maybe your child left their toy bucket under it. It can also be blocked by a build-up of dirt and debris on the track.

Check over it to see if everything is all clear. If there are any pebbles or leaves, use a broom to sweep them out of the way and try to run the door again. It should close now.

You’ve Got a Broken Spring 

If everything is working the way it should and the door still won’t rise up, you most likely have a broken torsion spring. If you’re at home when it breaks, you’ll know about it. It’s not quiet.

Again, you shouldn’t try to fix the spring yourself. Call a professional and let them handle it. It’s too dangerous for you to tackle on your own.

Common Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them 

There are several reasons why your garage door isn’t opening. It could be a broken spring, or maybe your transmitter battery is low. These are common garage door problems that can be solved by yourself or a professional. The first step is using this article to diagnose your issue.

Are you looking for more ways to keep your garage up and running? Check out our blog for all the latest tips and tricks.

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