Garage Door Problems: What's Wrong and What to Do
Most garage door problems fall into a handful of patterns. Find yours below for what usually causes it, what you can safely check yourself, and what the repair costs if you need us. These guides are written from what we see on Long Island jobs every week.
- 27 years — Family business
- From $75 — Repairs
- Free — Visit with any repair
- 3 years — Repair warranty
Door won't move, won't close, or reverses
- Garage door won't close or goes back up — sensors, limits, force settings, track binding.
- Opener light blinking — what the flashing usually means.
- Opening the door in a power outage — the red release cord, safely.
Noise, shaking, off track
- Noisy garage door — squeaks, grinding, rattling and banging, and what each one points to.
- Garage door off track — why it happens and why not to force it.
Opener behavior
- Garage door opens by itself — stuck buttons, lost codes, worn boards.
- Belt drive vs chain drive — which opener fits your house.
Bigger decisions
- Repair or replace your garage door? — an honest way to decide.
- Spring replacement cost · Repair cost · New door cost · Opener installation cost
Three problems that are never DIY
A broken torsion spring. The spring above the door holds enough tension to cause serious injury. Spring replacement starts at $275 for one spring.
A snapped or loose cable. The cable and the bottom bracket carry the door's weight. Cable replacement starts at $195 for a pair.
A door hanging crooked or out of its track. It can fall. Keep people and cars clear; an off-track reset starts at $175.
Garage door problem questions
What is the most common garage door problem?
A broken spring is the most common repair we're called for. Close behind are safety sensors out of line, worn opener gears, and doors that have come off their tracks.
What can I safely check myself before calling?
You can check the outlet and breaker, the remote battery, the wall control's lock button, whether the sensor lights are on, and whether anything is blocking the door's path. Leave springs, cables and brackets to a technician.
Is a garage door repair covered by homeowners insurance?
It depends on your policy. Sudden damage — like a car hitting the door — is sometimes covered, while normal wear such as a spring breaking with age usually isn't; ask your insurer.