Published 2026-07-22
Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting: 9 Fixes Before You Call
Most garage door opener problems fall into a handful of causes. Work through these before booking a repair; several take under a minute.
- Remote does nothing, wall button works. Replace the remote battery. If it still fails, reprogram it using the Learn button on the motor.
- Nothing works at all. Check the outlet with a lamp, then the breaker. Many openers are on a GFCI outlet that trips during monsoon storms.
- Door goes up but will not come down. Photo-eye sensors are blocked, dirty or misaligned. Wipe the lenses and confirm both LEDs are solid, not blinking.
- Door reverses before hitting the floor. The close-force limit is set too low, or something in the track is binding. Adjust the force dial slightly, or call if the door is dragging.
- Motor runs, door does not move. Either the trolley is disconnected (pull the red cord toward the motor until it clicks) or the drive gear is stripped. A stripped gear needs opener repair.
- Door opens a few inches and stops. This is usually a broken spring, not the opener.
- Opener light blinks 10 times. That is the sensor-fault code on most Chamberlain and LiftMaster units. See step 3.
- Keypad stopped working. Replace the battery, then re-enter the code with the Learn button.
- Door works from the wall button only intermittently. Check for a "lock" or "vacation" setting on the wall console and turn it off.
When to replace instead of repair
Openers made before 1993 lack photo-eye sensors and should be replaced. Units over 12 to 15 years old with a failing motor or board are usually better replaced with a quiet belt drive with battery backup. See garage door opener installation.
Still stuck? Onyx repairs every opener brand in every Arizona city, same day. Call (888) 904-6236.