Is Your Garage Door Opener Clicking But Not Working? Try This Fix
A garage door opener that clicks but fails to open the door is a frustrating problem. The good news is there are usually simple explanations and DIY fixes that don’t require a costly service call from a garage door opener repair technician. Let’s explore some of the most common causes of a clicking opener that won’t work and how to get your door moving again.
Check the Photo Eyes
One of the first things to inspect are the photo eyes – the electric eyes located near the bottom of the door. These safety sensors use an infrared beam to check if anything is under the door as it closes. If the beam is interrupted, the door will stop and reverse direction.
Dust, dirt, or obstructions can cause the photo eyes to malfunction and prevent the opener from functioning properly. Clear any debris or obstacles blocking the eyes and their line of sight to each other. You may need to wipe them clean with a dry cloth. Make sure the red light on each photo eye is blinking – a solid light means they aren’t communicating correctly.
Test the Force Setting
Modern openers have a safety feature that limits the amount of force they use. If the force gets too high, such as when ice or snow binds the door, it will automatically shut off to prevent damage. But this can happen accidentally if the setting is too low.
Most brands have a button that lets you run a force test cycle. Press and hold it to see if the door runs through a full open-close cycle smoothly. If not, you may need to adjust the force limit up slightly. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your model.
Inspect the Powerhead
Take a look at the powerhead unit, the motor and gear mechanism that drives the door. Check that the drive belt or chain is intact and not loose or broken. Spin the drive gear or chain sprocket by hand – it should turn freely without catching.
Listen for any odd noises coming from the powerhead as it clicks. Grinding or grinding could indicate a problem like a bad capacitor. At this point, it may be time to call a professional garage door opener repair technician based in Portsmouth to further diagnose electrical issues.
Replace Batteries in Remote
A simple thing to check is the batteries in your garage door remote. Weak batteries are a common cause of intermittent or unreliable operation from the clicker. Replace them with a fresh set of alkaline batteries and test the remote range. You may need new batteries more frequently than you think!
With some troubleshooting, you can usually diagnose a garage door opener that’s clicking without working. Don’t get frustrated – these fixes often resolve the issue without a service call. But for persistent problems, professional garage door opener repair is recommended for safety.