There are many reasons why your garage door will not open. Some are very simple fixes while it could also be a serious problem requiring a garage door specialist.
First check to ensure the red trolley release rope has not been disengaged as this would prevent the door from opening using the garage door opener.
Next try using the wall button to open the garage door. If the door opens using the wall button, but not the remote or key pad you may need to reprogram the remote or key pad or replace the batteries.
If the garage door will not open using the wall button or remote: check and make sure the safety lock is not turned on, this is usually a button or switch on the wall button unit. If it is locked, unlock it and test the garage door.
If it is not the safety lock: check and ensure there is power to the unit. The first thing to look for is a GFI or GFCI outlet that has been tripped. These are outlets installed in wet areas of your home and often times in garages. The outlet will have two buttons on it a black test button and a red reset button. if it is tripped press the red reset button. it is a good idea to test these GFI or GCFI plugs regularly. If this was not the problem check the main breakers for your house that are inside the breaker box to make sure none are tripped.
*Note: Always use caution when checking GFI or GFCI plugs and breakers to avoid accidental electrical shock. If you are not comfortable checking these items, call an electrician or a professional garage door technician.
If you have still not located the problem and the door still will not open try releasing the trolley by pulling the red release rope. Now try to raise the door manually. If the garage door opens and closes easily, then the problem is somewhere in the garage door opener or the electrical system within the home. If the garage door will not open or is very difficult to open then you need to visually inspect other parts of the garage door. The easiest thing to see are the spring or springs above or beside the garage door. If the spring or springs are broken you have located at least part of the problem. If the spring or springs are not broken you need to look at the cables on both sides of the garage door. The cables attach to the bottom bracket on the garage door and then follow them up the height of the door and visually make sure they are still attached to the drums. The drums are attached at the ends of the torsion tubes that runs across the top of the garage door opening. This is for a torsion spring system. If the springs are on the sides of the garage door, extension spring system, the cable attach to the bottom bracket on the bottom of the garage door on both sides. The cables then run up the height of the garage door through a pulley system and attach to the springs and finally to an adjustment clip that is attached to the track the rollers ride in.
If you see a broken spring or broken cables it is recommended that you have a garage door service technician inspect your garage door and make recommendations to fix these items and test the garage door system.
If after performing a visual inspection and checking for electrical power to the plug, you still cannot identify any specific cause, call a garage door technician and have the system inspected. A Veteran Garage Door Technician will inspect the door with you and show you the cause or causes and provide options in repairing the system.
*Note: Always use caution when inspecting your garage door and when manually opening the garage door to prevent injury from sharp or broken parts.
