The Most Common Garage Door Issues Homeowners Face (and How to Spot Them Early)

Garage door problems always seem to strike at the worst possible times, like when you’re late, when it’s raining, or when you’ve got a car full of kids. No matter the issue, it’s enough to throw your whole day off track. 

However, most common garage door problems don’t come out of nowhere. They start as minor, easy-to-miss signs that get overlooked until it’s too late. 

But you don’t have to be caught off guard. Our Reno garage door repair experts have seen it all, and we’re here to help you stay ahead of trouble.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common garage door issues homeowners face, how to recognize them early, and what you can do to keep your door running smoothly.

Table Of Content 

Door Won’t Open or Close
Noisy Garage Door Operation 
Garage Door Remote or Keypad Not Working
Garage Door Gone Off Track
Broken Springs
Common Garage Door Problems, Questions, and Solutions
Final Thoughts

Door Won’t Open or Close 

Few things are more annoying than pressing your garage door opener remote and getting nothing in return. Sometimes, the door won’t move at all. Other times, it might begin to open or close but then freeze halfway, or worse, reverse unexpectedly. 

Common Causes: 

A) Sensor Problems 

Modern garage doors rely on safety sensors at the base of the tracks. If these sensors get dirty, misaligned, or blocked, they may mistakenly detect an obstacle and prevent the door from closing.  This is one of the most common garage door issues you’ll encounter. 

B) Remote or Power Issues 

In some instances, the problem is as simple as dead batteries, a tripped circuit breaker, a faulty remote, or a disconnected opener. Without proper power, your door won’t respond at all. 

To spot garage door issues early, check whether the sensors at the base of the track are displaying a solid light. Otherwise, there may be an alignment issue. 

Finally, test the door by disconnecting the opener and lifting it. If it feels unusually heavy or won’t stay open on its own, you might be dealing with a broken garage door spring. Call for garage door repair immediately. 

Noisy Garage Door Operation 

Loud squeaks, grinding, or rattling are your door’s way of telling you something is wrong. While ignoring these noises can lead to bigger problems down the road, most of them are easily fixable. 

Common Causes: 

A) Worn Rollers 

Over time, the rollers that guide your door along the tracks can wear down or rust to create friction and loud, screeching noises. Metal door rollers are especially prone to this, while nylon rollers tend to be quieter. 

B) Loose Hardware 

Your garage door system has a lot of moving parts, including hinges, bolts, and brackets. When these parts become loose, they can rattle and vibrate. 

C) Lack of Lubrication 

Just like any machine, your garage door relies on smooth, well-lubricated parts to operate quietly. Without regular lubrication, metal components grind against each other to cause loud, unpleasant noises. 

An easy way to quiet your garage door is by using a silicone-based lubricant on the rollers, hinges, springs, and tracks. Avoid using WD-40, as it can attract dirt and worsen the problem. 

Regularly inspect the bolts, screws, and hinges, tightening any that have come loose. Also, make sure the tracks are properly aligned and free of debris. 

If these steps don’t quiet your garage door, it may be time for emergency garage door services. For a complete breakdown of the components that might be causing noise, visit our post on the parts of a garage door. 

Garage Door Remote or Keypad Not Working 

When your garage door only works from the wall control and ignores the remote or keypad, it’s time to troubleshoot.

You may notice that: 

• The garage door doesn’t respond to remote commands. 
• The keypad lights up but fails to unlock the door. 
• The door operates normally from the wall control, but not from the remote or keypad. 

Common Causes: 

A) Dead Remote Control Batteries 

The most obvious culprit is usually the most overlooked. If your remote or keypad has been in use for a while, the batteries may have run out. 

B) Signal Interference 

Interference from nearby electronic devices, Wi-Fi routers, or LED light bulbs can block the signal between your remote and garage door opener. 

C) Faulty Wiring 

If the keypad or remote has loose or damaged wiring, it won’t send the proper signal to open or close the door. 

Before you call for professional repairs, try swapping the batteries in both the remote and keypad. You could also reprogram or reestablish the connection between your device and the door opener. Check your owner’s manual for specific steps. 

You can find more tips for similar issues on our common garage door problems page. 

Garage Door Gone Off Track 

An off-track garage door is a safety hazard. You may notice the door hanging unevenly, not closing all the way, or getting stuck in the middle. Whatever the case, it’s important to address the problem immediately to avoid further damage or accidents. 

Common Causes: 

A) Impact 

One of the most common reasons for a door going off track is accidental impact. Whether it’s a car bumping the door or something heavy hitting it, the force can easily knock the rollers out of alignment. 

B) Broken Garage Door Cables 

The lift cables play an important role in keeping the door balanced. If a cable snaps, the door can become crooked or fall off the tracks entirely. 

C) Bent Tracks 

Over time, tracks can bend due to wear and tear, or if something jams in them while the garage door motor is moving. A bent track disrupts the smooth motion and can cause the rollers to derail. 

Do not try to move an off-track garage door manually. Disconnect the power and avoid touching it until a professional can assess the situation. This is not a DIY fix: you risk damaging the door further or getting hurt. 

An off-track garage door qualifies as an emergency, especially if it’s stuck open and leaving your home vulnerable. In situations like this, it’s best to contact a professional garage door technician right away. Learn more about urgent fixes in our post on what qualifies for emergency garage door repair.    

Broken Springs 

A broken spring is one of the most serious garage door malfunctions, and it usually makes its presence known with a loud, unmistakable bang. Once that happens, your door becomes incredibly difficult—if not impossible—to lift. 

The most obvious signs of a broken spring include: 

• A sudden, explosive sound 
• The door feels much heavier than usual 
• A visible gap or break in the coil 

Now, it can be tempting to try fixing a broken spring yourself, particularly if you’re handy around the house. But don’t. 

Garage door springs are under extreme tension, and trying to replace them without the right tools and expertise can lead to severe injury. One wrong move, and you could have a snapped spring whipping back at you. Your safest bet is to hire a technician specializing in broken garage door repair. 

Common Garage Door Problems, Questions, and Solutions 

Here are the most popular questions homeowners have about garage doors and how to solve them. 

1) Why is my garage door making a loud noise? 

If your garage door is making a loud, unsettling noise, it’s usually because something isn’t right. Common causes include worn-out rollers, loose hardware, or a lack of lubrication. Start by inspecting the rollers for signs of wear and applying a silicone-based lubricant to the tracks, hinges, and torsion springs. Tighten any loose screws or bolts but avoid over-tightening. 

2) Why is my garage door moving slowly? 

A slow-moving garage door is often due to poor lubrication, misalignment, or a worn-out opener. Make sure all moving parts are properly lubricated with a silicone-based spray. Check for balance by disconnecting the opener and manually lifting the door—if it doesn’t stay in place, it may be unbalanced. 

3) What should I do if my garage door is stuck? 

If your garage door is stuck, don’t force it. Start by checking for obvious obstructions in the door’s path. Make sure the garage door sensors are clean, aligned, and displaying a steady light. If the problem persists, disconnect the opener and try lifting the door manually.  

In case it’s still stuck, it could be a broken spring or cable—both of which require professional repair. 

4) Why isn’t my garage door opener working? 

Make sure the opener is plugged in and that the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Replace the batteries in your remote or try reprogramming it. 

5) How can I reset my garage door opener? 

Resetting your garage door opener varies depending on the model. Generally, you’ll need to press and hold the “learn” or “program” button on the opener until the indicator light blinks. Next, press the remote button to resync it. For detailed instructions on troubleshooting garage door opener problems, refer to your owner’s manual. 

6) How often should I perform maintenance on my garage door? 

Ideally, you should perform basic maintenance on your garage door every six months. Remember to lubricate moving parts, inspect rollers and tracks, tighten hardware, and test the balance of the door.  

7) What are the signs that my garage door springs need to be replaced? 

Garage door springs don’t last forever, and they usually give warning signs before breaking, such as visible wear, rust, or a gap in the spring coil. It’s best to replace a worn-out spring before it gives out completely. 

8) What should I do if my garage door sensor is not working? 

Clean the sensors with a soft cloth. Check if both sensors are properly aligned and have a steady indicator light. If one or both lights are blinking, try adjusting them until they are correctly aligned.   

Final Thoughts 

If you’re dealing with any of these common garage door issues, don’t wait for a complete breakdown. Reach out to a professional for a quick inspection or tune-up. A little attention now can save you from a huge headache later. 

Also, remember, garage door problems rarely fix themselves. The more you pay attention to early signs, the better you can keep your door running safely year-round. 

At Thompson Garage Doors, we bring years of experience and a passion for problem-solving to every repair. From broken springs to off-track doors, we’ve seen it all—and we fix it all. Call us to schedule your repair visit today!