Garage door opener repair and replacement
When the door won't move, people often blame the opener first. Sometimes it is the opener. Often it's a broken spring or cable that the opener can't overcome, and the contractor checks the door before working on the opener.
Quick checks you can do safely
- Is the opener plugged in, and is its light working? Check the breaker.
- Look at the two safety sensors near the floor on each side of the door. Both indicator lights should be steady, not blinking.
- Wipe both sensor lenses with a dry cloth and make sure nothing is in the beam.
- Try the wall button. If it works and the remote doesn't, replace the remote battery.
- Check that the lock or vacation mode on the wall control is off.
Common opener problems
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Door closes then reverses | Sensor misaligned or blocked, close force or travel limit set wrong |
| Motor runs, door doesn't move | Stripped drive gear, or the door is disconnected from the trolley |
| Hums, clicks, does nothing | Broken spring, failing capacitor, or a jammed door |
| Works only from the wall button | Remote battery, remote needs re-pairing, antenna |
| Lights blink, door won't close | Safety sensor fault, often alignment or wiring |
Repair or replace the opener?
A single failed part on a newer opener is usually worth repairing. Replacement makes sense when the opener is old and parts are hard to find, it's very loud, or you want features like a quieter belt drive, a wall-mounted unit that frees the ceiling, battery backup, or smartphone control. Openers sold in the US since the early 1990s must have safety reversing sensors, so if yours has none, replacement is the safe choice.
Drive types
- Chain drive: durable and common, louder.
- Belt drive: quieter, a good choice with rooms above or beside the garage.
- Wall-mount (jackshaft): mounts beside the door, frees the ceiling.
Questions to ask before work starts
- What is your business name and New Jersey HIC registration number (13VH…)?
- What exactly is broken, and what parts will you replace?
- What is the total price, including parts, labor and any trip charge?
- What warranty comes with the parts and the labor, and is it in writing?
New Jersey requires a written contract for home improvement work over $500. Keep a copy.