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Broken Garage Door Remote? A Step by Step to Getting Your Opener to Work

There once was a time when a garage door opener was a teenager running through the rain to open the door for the family luxury van. These days, we tend to take the remote for granted. But when the garage door opener remote stops working it can seem like the entire world’s ground to a halt. You mean we need to pull open the garage the old-fashioned way like it’s 1976? That’s when you need emergency garage door repair — it just can’t wait!

How Old are the Batteries?

Fortunately, the solution to a garage door opener remote not working tends to be simple. In fact, the first thing you should do is check the batteries. It may sound silly, but one of the most common reasons for remote failure is a dead battery. In fact, we’ve started stocking our supply truck with extra batteries because so many emergency calls just needed some AAAs. The solution is so obvious it could bite you on the nose. Whenever our customers have a repair issue with a garage door opener, we recommend checking the batteries.

It’s also worth checking the battery contacts. If the inside of the battery case gets wet, dirty, or worn, this can cause a connection problem. Try polishing the ends with sandpaper or steel wool.

How’s the Sensor?

You should also take a soapy rag and clean the eyes at the end of the remote. It’s also worth cleaning up the eye on the receiving unit. This is a common repair issue for garage door openers. These can get grimed up with dirt overtime so neither receives the signal. If the plastic is scratched, you can polish it using a specialized plastic polishing agent.

Time for a System Reset?

In the end, you might just need to reset the system to repair your garage door opener. Remotes and openers are mini-computers. They bug out from time to time and need to be reset. Remove the batteries for about 30 seconds and reinstall them. Reset the receiver by unplugging it for 30 seconds before plugging it back in. The good news about this garage door repair is its DIY — simple and easy to do yourself!

Still Isn’t Working? Call a Pro

If you’re still stuck with a malfunctioning garage door opener, you should call a professional technician. A professional will have the knowledge and tools to diagnose the problem quickly. They can address issues related to wiring, sensors, remote controls, and motor problems efficiently. Trusting experts to handle garage door opener problems will ensure you a quick and effective solution. DIY won’t always work out, but you eventually need to restore your garage door’s convenience and security to your home. Emergency garage door repairs are just a call away in the Elk Grove area 24/7.

How to Repair a Garage Door Trolley

Need to replace the trolley on your garage door? It can be done if you have the right tools and are fairly handy. Use a stable step ladder to reach the trolley. Disconnect the power cord that connects from the motor to the ceiling. Your motor may be hardwired into an electrical box, in which case you’ll need to shut it off from the circuit breaker. Pull on the release cord to disconnect the carriage from the garage door. Lower the door by hand so that the carriage arm is on the very end of the rail. Remove the cotter pin that attaches the bolt to the arm. Next, remove the carriage from the rail and attach a new one. Reconnect the cotter pin so the carriage is held in place. Reconnect the carriage arm at the end of the rail. Open the door so it reconnects with the opener.