If your garage door will not open, there are several things you can try yourself. Misaligned photo eye, dusty or dirty photo eye, damaged remote control, and stripped garage door opener gear are some common causes. Follow these steps to resolve your garage door opener problem, and your door should start working again. If none of these suggestions help, contact a professional garage door repair service. If none of these solutions work, try replacing the garage door opener remote.


Misaligned photo eye
If your garage door is not opening, it might be a misaligned photo eye. The photo eye is located on the door's pivot bracket and may have been pushed or pulled out of alignment. It can also be misaligned due to physical pressure or excessive use. Try moving the photo eye around the door frame, and then secure it back in place. If this doesn't fix the problem, try to replace the photo eye.

The misaligned photo eye is the most common cause of malfunctioning garage door sensors. To avoid a malfunctioning garage door, ensure that each sensor is pointing in the same direction and at the same angle. Each photo eye has an LED light on the exterior that blinks when it is out of alignment. If one photo eye is blinking, realign it by tightening the bracket or bending it back into its original position. This should fix the issue.

Dirty or dusty photo eye

The first step in troubleshooting your garage door that won't open is to determine whether the photo eye is dirty or dusty. This component is located outside the door tracks, towards the floor. It should be brightly lit and free of debris. If you find one of these components has become dusty or dirty, clean it thoroughly. Then, adjust the photo eye so that each lens is facing the other.

If the photo eye is damaged by leakage or a storm, it is important to inspect the photo eye. Debris can clog it and cause it to malfunction. Fortunately, cleaning the eye can usually fix the problem. You can also contact a professional to have it fixed. A technician will have the tools to diagnose the issue. If you've tried cleaning it yourself and still had no luck, call a technician to come out and check the door.
Stripped garage door opener gear
If your garage door opener's gear has become stripped or has failed to function, you may need to replace it. Replacing it is not only practical but also wise. This guide outlines the steps to follow to replace the gear. Listed below are some steps to follow:

Remove the metal cover from the garage door opener and check for worn gears with a flashlight. A broken gear may require an entire replacement of the unit. Before you take on the task, write down the model number and serial number of the opener to make sure you get the right replacement. When replacing the gears, remember to clean the entire unit thoroughly. If you see any white shavings, it's likely that the gears are worn out.

Damaged remote control

A damaged remote control could be the cause of a malfunctioning garage door. In addition to physical damage, garage door remotes can fail for a variety of reasons. Water damage, dropped, or stepped on remotes are common causes of remote failure. To resolve this problem, you should consult a professional who can provide a solution. If the problem is not as obvious, try to solve it yourself by cleaning the antennae.
If a garage door opener is controlled by two remotes, then the problem may be with one of them. The other remote controls the opener, which is connected to a receiver in the garage. Damages to the receiver can result from various factors, including kids playing with balls and cobwebs. Before you attempt to solve this problem, make sure the antennas of the remote controls are straight and intact. The problem could also be related to improper engagement of the door opener's lock button.

Damaged ground fault interpreter (GFI)
If your remote control isn't working, the problem is more likely to be with your garage door's Ground Fault Interpreter. Your GFI is designed to protect your home from dangerous electrical malfunctions by protecting your load from blowing a fuse. When your GFI malfunctions, your garage door will not open and will suck power from the backup battery. To repair your GFI, simply call a garage door repairman and they can provide you with a new remote control for your garage door.

The problem is also likely to be with your garage door opener's ground fault interpreter. This device is located on the floor of your garage and protects your home from electrical hazards by bouncing when a hairdryer or other appliances are plugged in. If the GFI has become damaged, the garage door won't open and may even start using back-up batteries. To fix your garage door opener's Ground Fault Interpreter, simply press the reset button on your garage door opener.