Home › Common Problems › Garage Door Opener Not Working
Garage Door Opener Not Working
in Glendale, CA
A garage door opener that stops working leaves a lot of homeowners locked out or stuck inside. In the Crescenta Valley and other foothill parts of Glendale, power surges during summer heat events regularly fry opener circuit boards. If the opener runs but nothing happens, the problem might be the opener or it might be a mechanical issue like a broken spring that is just too heavy for the motor to lift.
Quick Answer
Opener failures in Glendale usually come down to a dead remote battery, a tripped safety sensor, or a motor unit that has burned out from strain. Check the sensors near the floor first since Glendale dust and spider webs block them constantly. If the motor hums but the door does not move, the drive gear inside is likely stripped. Call for an inspection if the door is stuck closed and you cannot get in or out.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Pressing the remote or wall button does nothing at all
- The opener light comes on but the door does not move
- The motor runs for a few seconds and then the door reverses back down
- The wall button works but the remote does not
- A burning smell comes from the opener unit in the ceiling
- The opener clicks once and stops without any movement
Root Causes
What Causes Garage Door Opener Not Working?
Blocked or Misaligned Safety Sensors
Two small sensors sit near the floor on each side of the door opening. They shoot an invisible beam across the gap, and if anything blocks it the opener will not let the door close. Glendale has fine dust and dry leaves that blow in regularly and coat the sensor lenses, cutting off the beam.
The Fix
Sensor Cleaning and Realignment
The sensor lenses are wiped clean and the brackets are adjusted until both sensors show a solid green light. If the wiring has been damaged by a lawn tool or rodent, it gets replaced at the same time.
Burned-Out Motor or Circuit Board
Summer heat in Glendale regularly pushes garage interior temperatures above 110 degrees. Opener motors and circuit boards sitting in that heat for years eventually fail, especially if the motor has also been straining against worn springs or a heavy door.
The Fix
Opener Motor or Board Replacement
If the circuit board is the only failure, it can sometimes be swapped out without replacing the whole unit. A motor that has burned out or a unit that is over 15 years old is usually worth replacing entirely with a current model.
Stripped Drive Gear
Inside most belt and chain-drive openers is a plastic drive gear that transfers power from the motor to the trolley that moves the door. That gear wears down faster when the door is heavy from a broken spring. The motor runs but nothing moves because the gear teeth are gone.
The Fix
Drive Gear Replacement
The opener unit is opened up, the old gear is removed, and a new one is pressed into place. The spring situation also needs to be addressed at the same time or the new gear will strip again quickly.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Blocked or Misaligned Safety Sensors | Burned-Out Motor or Circuit Board | Stripped Drive Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| One or both sensor lights are off or blinking red | |||
| Door closes with the wall button but not the remote | |||
| Motor hums but door does not move at all | |||
| Burning smell or visible scorch marks on the unit | |||
| Door reverses every time it gets halfway down | |||
| Unit is over 12 years old and stopped working after a hot week |
Free Inspection
Get a Diagnosis in Glendale
An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
(747) 307-7681Free on-site inspection
Written estimate before work starts
Serving Glendale & surrounding areas
Other Problems
Services That Fix This
Also Helpful