Garage Door Opener: Opens and closes by itself
When your garage door opens or closes when you haven't triggered the remote, one possible cause is that a neighbor's remote was programmed at the same time as yours. Erase all codes in your remote and then reprogram it. If that doesn't fix the problem, check the wiring between the motor unit and the wall control. Faulty wires can short together and trigger the motor unit to open or close the door. A defective wall control can cause the same problem. Our garage door opener wall control troubleshooting video will help you figure out the problem. Replace the wall unit if you find it has failed.
These repairs may help solve your garage door opener problem
Replace the garage door opener wall control
A defective wall control won't move the garage door when you press the button. A faulty wall control can open or close the garage door on its own. Replace the wall control if it does't work properly.
If your garage door won't move when you push the button on the garage door opener wall control, the wall control might be broken. This repair guide and video show how to replace a garage door opener wall control in 4 quick steps.
Program the vehicle's garage door opener remote
Special programming is sometimes needed to link a vehicle's built-in remote control to the garage door opener. First follow the steps in the vehicle's owner's manual for clearing any existing codes and programming, Software updates for the system are occasionally required to correct incompatibility. Contact the manufacturer of the garage door opener for help with resolving this type of problem.
Repair or replace external garage door opener wiring
External wiring connects the wall-mounted door control and the safety sensor to the motor unit of the garage door opener. That wiring can become damaged or disconnected. Check that wires are securely attached to the sensor's photoelectric eyes (each eye has 2 wires) and the wall unit. If any wire is cut, strip insulation from the end of the wire and reattach it. Check that wires are still attached to the terminals on the back of the motor unit. Replace or repair any frayed, pinched, or exposed wires.
Symptoms common to all garage door openers
Repair guides common to all garage door openers
If your remotes don’t work and the lights on the motor unit blink when you press a remote, the safety sensors may have failed. This guide will help you replace them.
Learn how to replace the gear and sprocket assembly on your garage door opener if the drive motor runs but the door won't move.
If your garage door won’t move, the drive and worm gears could be broken. This guide will help you replace the gears.
Articles and videos common to all garage door openers
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your garage door opener.
Learn how to decipher symbols so you can buy the right part for your problem.
Find out what’s wrong with your appliance by following a circuit.
Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working