If you have more than one remote control

It’s always best to check them both. If one of them works, but the other fails, you just need to replace the battery. You’ll most likely have purchased both transmitters at the same time, so don’t rule out the possibility of both needing a battery change. Open up the back of the remote (depending on your type of opener, you might need a screw driver to do this) and put a brand-name battery inside – avoid the cheaper generics as they will not last. If that doesn’t fix your issues, then proceed to the next step.

Inspect the door for damage

There are various maintenance checks you can do yourself before calling a garage door repairs technician. Here are the key things to look out for:

• Is your door quite visibly out of balance? In some cases, you might be able to tap it back into position. But, most often, you’ll need an experienced repairs technician to do the job. If in doubt, leave it to the professionals – you don’t want any unnecessary damage on your hands.
• Check the roller bracket for any broken pieces, signs of rust, damaged springs or rollers. This is very much a “look, don’t touch” procedure: broken springs and rollers are very dangerous to handle without proper training and tools, as they will leave your garage door quite vulnerable to collapsing.
• Inspect the area around the photo eye for any built up dirt – if you can see debris and gunk amassing in the area, clean it up with a streak-free cleaning solution and some warm water. You’ll find the right cleaner for the job at your local garage door repairs business.
• Another check for photo eyes: make sure they’re not misaligned. In some cases, you can realign them yourself using a spirt level (just remember to measure the angle from the ground on each side). If they’re too misaligned, however, you’ll need to ask a technician to do it.
• Try to lift up the door manually. It shouldn’t be heavy to lift up – if you struggle to open it or it won’t stay in place, your door might be out of track. In this instance you’ll need to contact a garage door repairs professional immediately.

Call an expert

All credible professionals will have experience, training, and a full inventory of tools by their side. You can expect quality repairs and replacements, for very affordable prices and with a good sense of immediacy in the most urgent cases. In fact, most locally-based operators will provide 24/7 emergency assistance for their customers, and won’t charge for initial consults or price quotes.

Take the time to do some research before settling on a garage door repair service. See if anyone you know (friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances) can recommend any businesses in your area, and note down specific companies for your inquiries. Always hire a local operator, with a fully verifiable address. Where possible, try to consult with them in person – though talking on the phone is perfectly reasonable too. Ask the business about product warranties, client references (good professionals won’t balk at this), minimum callout charges and a full cost breakdown for whatever repairs you might have in mind. Online reviews can help you glean a business’s reputation too, and casually asking how long the company has been operating might give you an indication of whether they’ll be able to uphold their warranties. A quick search for a company through the Better Business Bureau will show you if any complaints have been laid out against them, and checking their credentials against the manufacturers they work with could help out too.

No matter where you’re based, though, finding the right professional for the job is as simple as making the right inquiries. Clarify everything with the person you’re consulting, and don’t rush the hiring process.

We hope this guide helps you make sense of a malfunctioning opener, and the precautions to take if any issues occur. Whether you’re dealing with a remote control that needs to be replaced, a faulty battery that needs changing, or a more complex repair that needs to be addressed, these quick checks will guide you towards the right solutions. Always get in touch with a qualified professional in your area if any issues arise, or if you have any pressing queries and concerns. From there, everything will be back to operating smoothly shortly.