FAQ
Garage Door Questions, Answered — Page 4
More in-depth answers from Denver’s G Brothers Garage Doors. Tap any question for the full guide, or use search to jump straight to a topic.
Repair
Repair questions
How does the motion-activated light on a garage door opener work?
Garage door openers with motion-detecting light use a passive infrared (PIR) sensor built into the opener head to detect movement in the garage and automatically turn on the light.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door opener motor overheating and shutting off?
The motor has a thermal overload protector that cuts power when it gets too hot, usually after repeated cycles without a cool-down break, or because it is straining against a heavy or unbalanced door.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door opener not working after a power outage?
Most garage door openers reset automatically when power returns.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door opener only work sometimes?
Intermittent opener problems point to four main causes: a weak or dead remote battery, radio frequency interference near the opener, a dirty or misaligned safety sensor, or a loose wire on the wall button.
Read answerRepairHow do I replace the battery in my garage door remote?
Slide or pry open the remote's case, note the battery type (usually a CR2032, CR2016, or A23), and swap in a matching new one with the same side facing up.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door opener keep resetting itself?
A garage door opener that resets itself is usually losing power briefly, hitting a thermal overload shutoff, or suffering a failing capacitor on the logic board.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door opener stop before the door is fully open?
The cause is usually the up travel limit set too short, too much friction in the tracks, or a weakening spring.
Read answerRepairCan you adjust the speed of a garage door opener?
Most residential garage door openers do not have a user-adjustable speed setting.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my smart garage door opener connect to Wi-Fi?
Almost always because the opener only joins a 2.4 GHz network and your phone set it up on 5 GHz, or the garage signal is too weak.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door opener accept a new remote?
The most common reasons are a wrong remote for the frequency or security system, a dead battery in the new remote, or the opener being in a learn-lockout state.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door open but won't close?
The most common reason is the photo-eye safety sensors near the floor are blocked, dirty, or misaligned, which stops the door from closing.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door open by itself at night or without anyone pressing the remote?
A garage door that opens on its own is almost always caused by one of four things: a stuck or shorted remote button, a neighbor's remote on the same frequency, a failing circuit board in the opener, or a programmed device like HomeLink activating by accident.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door panel replacement cost?
Garage door panel replacement typically costs $150 to $700 per panel installed.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door panel rusting from the bottom up?
Garage door panels rust from the bottom because the bottom sections stay wet the longest.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door remote work but the keypad does not?
When the remote works but the keypad does not, the problem is almost always the keypad itself, not the opener.
Read answerRepairHow much does it cost to replace a garage door in Denver, CO?
In the Denver metro, a single-car garage door replacement runs $700 to $1,200 installed.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door reverse before reaching the floor?
The door reverses because the opener senses resistance before the door reaches the floor.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door sensor's green light blinking?
A blinking green light on the receiving sensor means the beam is broken: the sensors are misaligned, blocked, dirty, or have a wiring fault on the sending side.
Read answerRepairHow high should garage door sensors be mounted off the floor?
Garage door photo-eye sensors must be mounted no higher than 6 inches above the floor.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door sensor replacement cost?
Garage door sensor replacement costs $50 to $200 installed.
Read answerRepairWhat does a yellow light on my garage door sensor mean?
On most LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers, a steady yellow or amber light is normal: it's the sending sensor showing it has power.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door shake or shudder when it opens?
A shaking or shuddering garage door usually means worn rollers, a bent or dirty track, or loose hardware causing the door to bind as it moves.
Read answerRepairHow do I fix gaps on the sides of my garage door letting in cold air?
Side gaps usually mean the stop molding weatherstrip is worn, compressed, or missing.
Read answerRepairWhy do garage door springs break more often in cold weather in Denver?
Denver's 40-50 degree daily temperature swings cause steel springs to expand and contract repeatedly, creating fatigue cracks faster than in milder climates.
Read answerRepairCan I convert my garage door from extension springs to torsion springs?
Yes, converting from extension springs to a torsion spring system is possible on most residential doors.
Read answerRepairHow much does a garage door spring cost by size?
Garage door spring replacement costs $150 to $350 for a pair of torsion springs installed, or $75 to $200 for extension springs.
Read answerRepairWhat is spring cycle life and how many cycles do garage door springs last?
One spring cycle is one complete open and one complete close.
Read answerRepairHow do I prevent my garage door springs from rusting?
Keep springs rust-free by lubricating them with silicone or lithium garage-door lube twice a year.
Read answerRepairHow many turns should I wind a garage door torsion spring?
The standard formula is 1/4 turn for every 3 inches of door height.
Read answerRepairAre winding bars required for garage door spring adjustment and why is it dangerous without them?
Yes, winding bars are required for safe torsion spring adjustment.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door stick in one spot when opening or closing?
A garage door that sticks in one spot usually has a bent or obstructed track, a damaged roller, or a section of track that has shifted out of alignment.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door bow or warp in the sun?
Thermal bowing happens when direct sunlight heats the outer steel skin of an insulated door while the inside stays cooler.
Read answerRepairHow much does garage door track repair cost?
Garage door track repair costs $125 to $400 for most jobs.
Read answerRepairHow do I replace a garage door opener trolley carriage?
A trolley carriage replacement is safe for DIYers because the door is in the closed position and springs are not involved.
Read answerRepairMy garage door opener runs but the door won't move. What is wrong?
The opener motor runs and the trolley travels the rail but the door stays put.
Read answerRepairHow much does a garage door tune-up cost, and is it worth it?
A garage door tune-up costs about $80 to $240, with most homeowners paying around $150 to $190.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door uneven or crooked when it closes?
A garage door that closes unevenly or at an angle usually has a broken or stretched cable on one side, a spring problem on one side, or a track that is out of alignment.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door wall button not work but the remote does?
If the remote works but the wall button doesn't, the problem is the wired side: a broken or shorted wire between the button and the opener, a failed wall console, or a loose terminal.
Read answerRepairWhat does a garage door warranty actually cover?
A garage door warranty usually has several parts with different lengths.
Read answerRepairWhy does water get under my garage door even with a new bottom seal?
A new bottom seal stops static water on a level floor.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door stay down after closing?
A garage door that opens back up after closing has either an obstruction blocking the photo-eye beam, an opener close-force setting that is too sensitive, a travel limit set incorrectly, or spring tension that is too high.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door work in extreme summer heat?
High heat causes garage door opener motors to overheat and shut off for 20 to 30 minutes, tracks to expand and misalign, lubricants to thin out, and sensors to shift out of alignment.
Read answerRepairCan my HOA force me to replace my entire garage door after a hail dent?
Yes, in some cases.
Read answerRepairWhy does HomeLink in my car fail to learn a rolling code garage door opener?
HomeLink fails to learn rolling code openers when users complete only the first programming step (training from the remote) and skip the second step (pressing the learn button on the opener itself).
Read answerRepairHow long do garage door cables last?
Garage door cables typically last 8 to 15 years under normal residential use.
Read answerRepairHow long do garage door sensors last?
Garage door sensors typically last 10 to 15 years, about the same as the opener itself.
Read answerRepairHow long does a garage door opener last?
Most residential garage door openers last 10-15 years with normal use of 2-4 cycles per day.
Read answerRepairHow long does a garage door opener drive belt last?
A garage door opener drive belt typically lasts 10 to 15 years under average residential use of about 4 cycles per day.
Read answerRepairHow many remotes can a garage door opener hold in memory?
Most current LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers store 40 devices.
Read answerRepairHow many remotes can I program to my LiftMaster garage door opener?
LiftMaster Elite series openers hold up to 40 remotes, 4 keypads, and 6 myQ accessories.
Read answerRepairHow much does it cost to fix a garage door dent?
Fixing a garage door dent costs $75 to $250 for cosmetic repairs using filler and paint on shallow dents.
Read answerRepairHow do I adjust garage door cable tension?
Cable tension on a torsion spring system cannot be safely adjusted without also adjusting the spring wind, which requires professional tools and training.
Read answerRepairHow do I adjust my garage door opener force settings?
Locate the force adjustment knobs on your opener motor head, then turn up-force and down-force in small steps.
Read answerRepairHow do I adjust my garage door opener travel limits and force settings?
Travel limits tell the motor how far to drive the door open and closed.
Read answerRepairHow do I clean my garage door photo-eye sensors?
Wipe each photo-eye lens with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth to clear dust, cobwebs, and grime.
Read answerRepairHow do I connect my garage door to my phone?
If your opener has built-in Wi-Fi (look for a myQ or smart logo), download the maker's app and follow the setup over your 2.4 GHz network.
Read answerRepairWhere is the learn button on a garage door opener?
The learn button is on the motor unit on the ceiling, near where the antenna wire hangs down, usually under or behind the light lens.
Read answerRepairHow do I open my garage door when the cable is broken?
With a broken cable, pull the red emergency release cord to disconnect the opener, then lift the door manually from both bottom corners at the same time with a second person.
Read answerRepairHow do I program HomeLink without a garage door remote?
Press the Learn button on your garage door opener motor unit.
Read answerRepairCan I program two garage doors to one remote, and how?
Yes.
Read answerStill have a question?
Call us and describe what your door is doing. We will tell you what is likely wrong and what it costs.