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Why won't my garage door opener open the garage door?

less than a minute readApr 19Lyle Weischwill
image of garage-door-opener

If your garage door won't open the garage door when you click the remote or press the button on the wall control, first make sure the garage door isn't locked. If the door isn't locked, pull the emergency release cord to check whether the door opens smoothly; fix the door tracks if the door binds when opening. If the door opens smoothly, you may need to adjust the up-force setting.

Activate the garage door opener with the emergency release still pulled to see if the trolley moves. If the trolley doesn't move when the motor runs, you may need to replace the gear and sprocket assembly or the drive and worm gears. A broken chain or belt can also prevent the trolley from moving. Use the tips in our video to troubleshoot the garage door opener if the motor runs but the trolley doesn't move.

If the door only moves a few inches and stops, the RPM sensor could be bad. If the motor doesn't run at all, you may need to replace the garage door opener logic board. Although rare, a failed drive motor is another reason why the door won't open. If the motor buzzes and doesn't move an unobstructed and disconnected trolley, replace the drive motor.


These repairs may help solve your garage-door-opener problem

JC-GDO-Replace-garage-door-opener-gear-and-sprocket-assembly

Replace the garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly

As the drive shaft and sprocket rotate, they drive the trolley that lifts and lowers the garage door. The plastic gear on the drive shaft is designed to fail if the garage door gets stuck in the travel tracks, protecting the expensive drive motor from damage. If the gear is worn or damaged, the door won't move properly. Replace the gear shaft and sprocket assembly if it's damaged or worn out.

Garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.
Jun 01
How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly

If your garage door opener's motor runs but the chain doesn't move, the gear and sprocket assembly m…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-drive-and-worm-gears

Replace the garage door opener drive and worm gears

The worm gear attaches to the motor shaft and rotates the drive gear to spin the sprocket which drives the chain to move the door. Made of plastic, the worm and drive gears strip out to protect the motor from damage if the door suddenly hits an object in its travel path. Replace the drive and worm gears if they're worn or stripped.

Garage door opener drive and worm gears

Find the required part specific to your product.
Jun 01
How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener drive and worm gears

If your chain-drive garage door opener motor runs but the garage door won't move, the drive and worm…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-RPM-sensor

Replace the garage door opener RPM sensor

The RPM sensor monitors motor shaft rotation and sends speed signals to the logic board. The logic board shuts off the motor and flashes the learn light 5 times when it doesn't receive speed signals from the RPM sensor. The door only moves 6 to 8 inches and then stops when the logic board isn't receiving speed signals. Replace the RPM sensor if the door only moves a short distance and the learn light flashes 5 times.

Garage door opener rpm sensor

Find the required part specific to your product.
Jun 01
How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener RPM sensor

If your chain-drive garage door opener's LED light flashes 5 times and the door moves just a few i…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-chain-and-cable-assembly

Replace the garage door opener chain and cable assembly

The sprocket on the motor unit drives the chain and cable assembly. The cable is attached to the trolley that lifts and lowers the garage door. If the chain or the cable is damaged, replace it.

Garage door opener chain and cable assembly

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Jan 06
How to replace a garage door opener drive chain and cable assembly

If your chain-drive garage door opener motor starts but the door won't open, the drive chain and cab…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-belt

Replace the garage door opener belt

The motor pulley drives the belt to move the trolley along the rail to lift and lower the garage door. If the belt frays or breaks, replace it.

Garage door opener belt

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Jan 06
How to replace a garage door opener drive belt

If your belt-drive garage door opener won't open or close, the belt might be broken. This repair gui…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-AC-motor

Replace the garage door opener AC motor

The AC motor drives the gears that rotate the sprocket which moves the chain to raise and lower the door. Replace the motor if it doesn't run when you activate the garage door opener.

Garage door opener ac motor

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Jun 01
How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener motor

If your chain-drive garage door opener motor won't start, the motor could be locked up or worn out. …

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-DC-motor

Replace the garage door opener DC motor

The DC motor rotates the pulley which drives the belt to move the door. Replace the motor if it doesn't run when you activate the garage door opener.

Garage door opener dc motor

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Jun 01
How to replace a belt-drive garage door opener motor

If your belt-drive garage door opener won't start, the motor might be locked up or worn out. This st…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less
JC-GDO-Replace-the-garage-door-opener-logic-board

Replace the garage door opener logic board

The logic board receives input signals from remotes, sensors and the wall control. It controls the electro-mechanical functions of the garage door opener. Replace the logic board if it doesn't receive input signals or doesn't control components properly.

Garage door opener logic board

Find the required part specific to your product.
Jun 01
How to replace a garage door opener logic board

If your garage door opener remote controls and wall control don't work, the logic board might be the…

Repair time and Difficulty

 60 minutes or less