Check these first
- Safety sensors. Find the two small eyes near the floor on each side of the door. Wipe the lenses, make sure nothing is in the beam, and check that both lights are solid, not blinking. A bumped sensor is the most common cause.
- Something in the way. A rake, a bike tire or even leaves in the track can trigger the reverse.
- Sun on the sensor. Low morning or evening sun shining straight into a sensor can blind it. If it only fails at certain times of day, that's the likely reason.
- Lock button. Many wall buttons have a lock or vacation switch that disables the remotes.
- Travel limit. If the door touches the floor and pops back up, the down limit may be set too far. Your opener manual shows the adjustment buttons.
- Remote battery. If the wall button works and the remote doesn't, start with a new battery.
When to stop and call
- The door is crooked, or a cable is loose or hanging
- You heard a bang and the door feels heavy (likely a broken spring)
- The opener runs but the door doesn't move
- Sensors are clean and aligned, and it still reverses
Don't keep running the opener on a door that's binding or crooked. That's how a small repair turns into bent track.
Typical costs
- Safety sensors replaced: from $165
- Opener gear and sprocket: from $185
- Wireless keypad installed: from $155
- New opener installed: from $575 chain, $675 belt
More about garage door opener repair, installation and remotes.
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