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Why Your Garage Door Opens on Its Own

September 7, 2022

An efficient garage door gives you peace of mind knowing that your valuables are safe from intruders and elements. Moreover, a garage door may add to your home's curb appeal and market value. These benefits explain why you cannot ignore any strange behavior from your garage door.

Among the signs of a faulty garage door is when the door opens on its own. Various issues may cause the garage door to open or close on its own, which range from simple problems like misaligned sensors to serious concerns like a snapped torsion spring. Read on to understand why your garage door may be opening by itself and what you can do to fix the problem.

Damaged Springs

The springs counterbalance the door's weight so that opener motors don't have to work too hard. If your garage door springs fail, the garage door will lack adequate tension to open or close. Consequently, the door may get stuck in a position or start to open or close on its own.

Besides simultaneous door opening and closing, other signs of failing garage door springs include:

The door is noisy
The door opens crookedly
The door opens or closes slowly

Garage door spring replacement is not a DIY job. Instead, call a professional to inspect and replace the springs for you.

Blocked Safety Sensor

The safety sensors are located on both sides at the bottom of the garage door tracks. These sensors emit an infrared light beam that becomes interrupted when something is in the way of the door closing. In return, the garage door opener interprets this interruption as a sign that someone or something is beneath the door and in danger of being crushed. Therefore, as a safety precaution, the opener automatically reverses the door to prevent accidents.

The sensor may be blocked by dirt and debris, which gives the opener a false alarm and causes the door to open on its own. In the same way, if you have items in the garage stored close to the sensors, the blockage also triggers a false alarm.

To fix this problem, clean the safety sensors, and remove any debris or items that may be blocking the sensor's view. If this step doesn't work, call a professional garage door repair company for assistance.

Damaged Remote

If the buttons on your remote are jammed, the issue may trigger the door opener to open or close without your knowledge.

First, check the remote batteries and change them if necessary. Next, check if the remote has dirt, grease, or any other substance that may interfere with the buttons, and clean the buttons if necessary. If the issue persists, you may need to buy a new remote.

Faulty Controlling Board

The control board tells the opener motor when to stop and start. Therefore, if the garage door opener starts to run non-stop, a faulty controlling board is the most likely cause.

Check the circuit breaker or fuse supplying power to the opener. If the fuse is tripped or blown, reset or replace the fuse. Note that if you are not knowledgeable in electrical repairs, call a professional to handle this problem. For example, a garage door professional will inspect and repair the door opener board and advise you on tips to prevent power surges.

A garage door that starts to open or close on its own is a nuisance and an inconvenience. Byers & Butler Inc. is here to help with any garage door repairs you may have. We have been in business for decades, so quality service is guaranteed. Our experienced technicians will ensure that your garage door is repaired quickly and efficiently. Contact us to schedule a repair.

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