Few things are more frustrating after a long day at work or running errands than returning home – especially at night or during inclement weather – and discovering that your garage door opener remote doesn’t work. You press the button on the remote, and nothing happens. This may not be an everyday occurrence, but even an occasional failure at the worst possible time can test your patience. Remember, a garage door is likely your home’s most frequently used point of entry, so the systems that make it work, especially remotes and mechanical components, can fail more often than you’d like.

If your garage door won’t open via the remote, it’s best for Arvada homeowners to recognize the potential causes for the problem with the remote control and know how to troubleshoot or otherwise get help. Here are some things to watch for.

TOP 10 REASONS YOUR ARVADA GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE SOMETIMES DOESN’T WORK

Minor or occasional problems can often be diagnosed and quickly fixed, sometimes by the homeowner; but bigger issues that seem to defy explanation can only be diagnosed and remedied by a trained repair professional. Based on our experience, there are several reasons why garage door opener remotes sometimes won’t work.

• Newer garage door opener systems feature lock buttons on the wall panel. If yours has one, check to see if there’s a flashing light. This means the lock button has been engaged and the remote control won’t work. Disengage the lock button, and voila.
• Garage door opener remotes are pretty simple devices. If yours stops working occasionally, it may simply be a dead battery issue. Most batteries can be easily replaced, and if it helps, don't be afraid to set a reminder in your mobile calendar to replace the battery every two to three months.
• Power outages or electrical storms can sometimes interfere with the remote’s programmed commands. If that’s the case, you’ll need to clear the unit’s memory and reprogram it by following manufacturer instructions.
• Another problem Arvada-area homeowners run into is a short in the door control wire, receiver board, or the door control panel itself. This is normally only successfully diagnosed by a professional garage door repair specialist.
• The remote signal has been disrupted. If, after replacing the remote batteries, the remote still doesn’t work, the signal between the opener transmitter and remote may be interrupted. The two common causes for this scenario? Your remote is out of range and won’t work beyond 20 feet, or the opener’s receiving antennae has been damaged or malfunctions because of excess debris. If the antennae seems damaged, contact a garage door repair specialist to inspect the problem and make repairs.
• There could be a simple electrical problem caused by a blown fuse or a bad Ground Fault Interpreter (GFI) outlet. This kind of scenario can often be remedied by having Arvada garage door installers diagnose the problem and reset the circuit breaker or replace the outlet.
• The photo-eye on either side of the door is blocked, or the electrical wire leading to it is damaged. Most homeowners can easily remedy a blocked eye sensor by clearing away dirt, debris, or anything else on the lens, but an electrical wire problem should only be remedied by a trained professional.
• Faulty torsion or extension springs. If either scenario happens, your garage door opener remote won’t work no matter what you try. Door springs are very dangerous to repair or replace, so contact a professional installer to do the work on your behalf.
• The garage door is off the track. Again, this is the sort of mechanical problem which will prevent the door from operating properly. If this happens, once you press the button on the remote, the door will likely jam and – if your garage door system is newer – will send a signal to the remote indicating there’s a problem.

Finally, your garage door opener remote may stop working because it simply reached the end of its functional lifespan and needs to be replaced.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE STOPS WORKING?

Several problems that we described above can be remedied by the homeowner, most often by replacing batteries or checking for a bad electrical outlet. Because we understand that not all homeowners have the time to diagnose such problems on their own, we always encourage Arvada area residents to contact a reputable garage door repair specialist for advice, or to schedule an inspection of your garage door opener system. A word of caution: Never work with electrical outlets or electrical wires without first ensuring power to the opener has been shut off completely.

GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE WON’T WORK? CALL A WELL HUNG GARAGE DOOR FOR HELP

If you’re a homeowner living in the Arvada area or a surrounding community in search of the best and most qualified garage door repair specialists, then call the experts at A Well Hung Garage Door today. We have nearly 20 years of garage door repair, installation, and maintenance experience, and we endeavor to continually provide thorough services delivered by well trained, full-time technicians utilizing the best tools and equipment anywhere.

We’re the best option around for garage door installations, problems with stuck or misaligned doors, faulty garage door openers and remotes, bad springs or cables, broken door panels, and other components needed for your garage door to open as designed. Discover more about our garage door repair services today by calling (303) 422-0232 or reading Google reviews about our garage door repairs and installations from homeowners and business owners near you.