Why is my garage door opener not working?
A garage door opener that is not working is often caused by dead remote/keypad batteries, misaligned safety sensors, a disconnected trolley, power loss, or a broken spring. Opener repair usually costs $150 - $400; replacement usually costs $350 - $900 installed.
Do not assume the opener is bad until you know the door itself is balanced. If the spring broke, the opener may be fine but unable to lift the door.
Most likely reasons the opener stopped
Remote, keypad, or wall control issue
$0 - $150How to tellWall button works but remote/keypad does not, or keypad works only intermittently
The fixReplace batteries, reprogram remote/keypad, check antenna, or replace wall control
Safety sensors misaligned
$75 - $250How to tellDoor starts down then reverses; opener lights blink; one sensor light is off or flickering
The fixClean lenses, align sensors, tighten brackets, or replace failed sensor pair
Trolley disconnected or manual lock engaged
$0 - $150How to tellMotor runs but trolley does not pull the door, or door is mechanically locked
The fixReconnect trolley or unlock door after confirming the door is safe and level
Broken spring or unbalanced door
$180 - $450+How to tellOpener hums/strains, door barely moves, or rail bends under load
The fixReplace spring and balance door before using opener again
Opener motor, gear, or board failure
$150 - $400 repair; $350 - $900 replacementHow to tellGrinding, clicking, burning smell, intermittent operation, or no response despite power
The fixRepair parts if available; replace opener if old or repair is not worth it
Try this first (before you pay anyone)
- Test the wall button first. If the wall button works, focus on the remote/keypad battery or programming.
- Check power at the outlet and breaker/GFCI.
- Clean and align the safety sensors near the floor.
- Look at the spring above the door. If there is a visible gap, stop using the opener.
Unlock the hiring checklist
Use this before you call a garage door, so you know what to ask and what to avoid.
Call a pro when…
- The opener strains, hums, or bends the rail
- The door is heavy, crooked, or will not lift manually
- The spring or cable appears broken
- Sensors and power check out but the opener still fails
- You smell burning or hear grinding inside the opener
Repair or replace?
Repair is reasonable for sensors, remotes, gears, trolley parts, or control issues on a newer opener. Replace when the unit is old, lacks modern safety sensors, has motor/control-board failure, is very noisy, or repair cost approaches half of replacement. If the spring is broken, fix the door first; replacing the opener alone will not solve it.
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Related questions
Why does my garage door opener click but not open?
Clicking can mean a power/control issue, failed capacitor, bad board, or a door that is too heavy because the spring failed. Check the spring and door balance before assuming motor failure.
Why does the garage door close then open again?
Most often the safety sensors are dirty or misaligned, or the close-force/travel setting is wrong. It can also happen when the door binds in the track.
Can a power outage erase opener programming?
Sometimes settings or accessories can need reprogramming after power events, but most modern openers retain programming. Check the manual and reprogram remotes/keypads if needed.
Should I replace an old opener before it fails?
If it is noisy, lacks safety sensors, has unreliable remotes, or is 15+ years old, replacement can be smarter than repeated repairs.