April 19, 2023

Garage Door Opener: Why won't my garage door opener open the garage door?

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.

garage door opener

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

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RG-GDO-Replace-Chain-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-Gear-and-Sprocket-Assembly-Intro-Image
June 01, 2016

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 might be broken or worn. This repair guide and video show how to replace a chain-drive garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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.

RG-GDO-Replace-Chain-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-Drive-and-Worm-Gears-Intro-Image
June 01, 2013

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 gears might be stripped or worn. This repair guide and video show step by step how to replace the drive and worm gears in a chain-drive garage door opener.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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.

RG-GDO-Replace-Chain-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-RPM-Sensor-Intro-Image
June 01, 2016

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 inches at a time, the RPM sensor might be the problem. The repair guide and video show how to replace a garage door opener RPM sensor in 6 steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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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RG-GDO-Replace-Garage-Door-Opener-Drive-Chain-and-Cable-Assembly-Intro-Image
January 06, 2016

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 cable might be broken. The DIY repair guide and video show how to replace the drive chain and cable assembly on a garage door opener.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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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RG-GDO-Replace-Garage-Door-Opener-Drive-Belt-Intro-Image
January 06, 2016

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 guide and video show how to replace a garage door opener drive belt.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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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RG-GDO-Replace-Chain-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-Motor-Intro-Image
June 01, 2016

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. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace the motor on a chain-drive garage door opener.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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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RG-GDO-Replace-Belt-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-Motor-Intro-Image
June 01, 2016

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 step-by-step repair guide and video show how to replace a belt-drive garage door opener motor.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 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.

RG-GDO-Replace-Garage-Door-Opener-Logic-Board-Intro-Image
June 01, 2016

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 problem. This repair guide and video show how to replace a garage door opener logic board in 6 steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

Most common symptoms to help you fix your garage door openers

Choose a symptom to see related garage door opener repairs.

Main causes: garage door opener misaligned, travel limits need adjustment, bad travel limit switches, faulty logic contr…

Main causes: garage door locked, damaged garage door tracks, up-force setting needs adjustment, RPM sensor failure, bad …

Main causes: safety sensor beams blocked, safety sensors not aligned, downforce setting needs adjustment, damaged garage…

Things to do: check garage door travel, tighten brackets and fasteners, test safety sensors, check travel limits and for…

Main causes: radio interference, weak remote batteries, sunlight interference with safety sensor beams, safety sensors n…

Main causes: faulty logic control board, bad RPM sensor, broken gears in the drive system, bad drive motor…

Main causes: neighbor's remote programmed at the same time as yours, faulty wall control wiring, bad wall control unit…

Main causes: loose fasteners, broken brackets, need preventive maintenance, worn drive gears, loose or worn belt, loose …

Most common repair guides to help fix your garage door openers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your garage door opener.

How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly

How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener gear and sprocket assembly

Learn how to replace the gear and sprocket assembly on your garage door opener if the drive motor runs but the door won'…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a garage door opener logic board

How to replace a garage door opener logic board

The logic board is the brains of the garage door opener. If the remote doesn't work or the door doesn't open and close p…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a garage door opener drive chain and cable assembly

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

If your garage door won’t move, the chain and cable assembly on your garage door opener could be broken. Follow these st…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your garage door openers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your garage door opener.

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

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Garage door opener remotes won't work video

Garage door opener remotes won't work video

If your remotes don't work, you might need to disable the lock feature, eliminate RF interference or check the batteries…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…