Overhead door systems are complex mechanisms made up of a variety of mechanical components and safety features that work together to make the door move and safer for use. With so many moving parts, it’s not uncommon for one of them to fail or malfunction, causing the garage to suddenly stop working or break down.

If your garage door suddenly stopped working, there are a few things you can check before calling a garage door repair company. While there are numerous malfunctions that you may not be able to diagnose and fix, checking a few basic things can save you time and money. Below are 5 common garage door issues that you can fix yourself without calling a professional repairman:

1. Visual inspection: Visually inspect the garage door tracks to make sure that there aren’t objects that prevent the garage door from opening or closing.

2. Inspect the door sensors: If your garage door won’t close, check for any obvious issues that could be causing the problem. For example, if your garage won’t close when using the door opener, first make sure that the opener’s sensors are properly aligned and there are no objects blocking the sensors.

3. Check for loose connections: The opener’s sensors and wall button are hard-wired to the motor. Use a ladder to inspect the terminals and wiring connections. If you notice any loose connections, gently tighten them with a screwdriver. Additionally, check the opener’s plug to make sure that it’s properly plugged in.

4. Inspect and test the outlet: A garage door opener that won’t respond might simply lost power due to a defective outlet or other electric malfunction. Inspect the outlet that the door opener is plugged into for any signs of damage and check whether there is power coming from the outlet. You can to this using a voltage tester or by unplugging the opener and plugging in a different electric device. If there’s no power, this could indicate an issue with the outlet or the wiring behind it. In this case, it’s best to call an electrician to address the problem and not a garage door repair company.

5. Reset the garage circuit breaker: Check the circuit breaker to see if the switch for the garage area has tripped. If it has, reset the breaker and see if this solves the problem.

If you’ve followed these steps and are still experiencing issues with your garage door, you’ll need to troubleshoot your garage door to identify what’s causing the problem, or call a licensed garage door repair company. Start with the articles below:

• Troubleshooting a Garage Door That Won’t Close
• Garage Door Will Not Move
• Garage Door Repairs You Can Do Yourself
• Common Garage Door Problems

Given the garage door’s weight and size, remember to always prioritize safety when trying to perform DIY repairs or when dealing with openers and springs.