Door reverses: check the safety sensors
- Clear boxes, tools and debris from the door’s path.
- Wipe each sensor lens gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Check that the sensors face each other and their indicator lights are on.
Garage Door Troubleshooting
A few simple checks may solve a small problem. Stop immediately if the door looks damaged, hangs crooked or feels unusually heavy.
Safety first
Never adjust springs, cables, drums or bottom brackets. These parts are under dangerous tension. Keep your hands clear of moving sections and never bypass a safety sensor.
Remote not working: check batteries and the lock button
- Replace the remote battery with the correct type.
- Check the wall control for a lock or vacation setting.
- Try the wall button to see whether the opener itself responds.
Door won’t open: check power and the disconnect cord
- Check the opener’s plug and your breaker or outlet.
- Look for a tripped GFCI outlet and reset it if needed.
- If the door is fully closed, check whether the emergency release cord has disconnected the opener. Do not pull it with the door open.
Noisy door: light lubrication may help
- Listen for where the noise is coming from without touching moving parts.
- Apply a small amount of garage-door-rated lubricant to metal hinges and rollers if the manufacturer recommends it.
- Wipe away excess lubricant. Stop using the door if it jerks, hangs crooked or makes a grinding sound.
Loud bang: you may have a broken spring
- DON’T press the opener or try to lift the door.
- Keep children, pets and vehicles away from the door.
- Call Summit at (877) 276-3667 for 24/7 emergency service.
Owner’s Manuals
For model-specific instructions, use the manufacturer’s official support resources.
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Troubleshooting questions
Why does my garage door reverse before it closes?
Look for dirt or a cobweb on the two small sensors near the floor, gently clean the lenses with a soft cloth, and check that both sensor lights are on and pointing at each other. Remove anything blocking the space between them. Never bypass or disable the safety sensors.
Why is my garage door remote not working?
Try replacing the remote battery and check whether the wall control’s lock or vacation mode is switched on. If the wall button works but the remote does not, the problem may be the remote rather than the door.
What should I check if my garage door won’t open at all?
Check that the opener is plugged in and the outlet has power. If the opener has power but the door is disconnected, the emergency release may have been pulled. Only reconnect or disengage a door when it is fully closed and safe to do so. If you suspect a broken spring or cable, do not operate the door.
Why is my garage door so noisy?
A squeaking door may need a garage-door-rated lubricant on metal hinges and rollers. Use only a product recommended for garage doors and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Do not lubricate the tracks, and do not adjust springs, cables or bottom brackets.
I heard a loud bang in my garage. What should I do?
A loud bang often means a garage door spring has broken. DON’T operate the door with the opener or by hand. Springs and cables are under dangerous tension. Keep people clear and call Summit for 24/7 emergency service.
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