Whether you are on your way out, or just coming home from a long day spent at the office, the last thing you probably want to deal with is a malfunctioning garage door. Especially a garage door that will not open, no matter how many attempts you make, or how hard you try.

If your door will not open, do not force it, as this can cause more damage to occur. Use the information provided below to troubleshoot your door. If you find that your door is afflicted with a problem you cannot fix, contact a professional garage door repair company that services your area, in order to ensure your door opens once again.

#1. Misaligned Safety Sensors

All garage door openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1993 should be equipped with photo safety sensors. Safety sensors can be found on both sides of the garage door opening about six inches off the floor. They are designed to automatically stop and reverse the door should a person or object interrupt its beam. If the safety sensors aren’t working, neither will the remote control or touchpad.

To ensure optimal functioning of your sensors, you will want to check to ensure that the LEDs on each unit is lit up. A problem exists if the light is off or its flashing repeatedly. Gently clean the lens with a soft dry cloth, check the wires attached to the sensor for loose connections, and try realigning them by hand. If they still don’t work, there may be a bigger issue at hand, and you should contact a local service provider.

#2. No Power Source

You may be dealing with a power source issue if your opener doesn’t activate upon pressing the button on your remote control or touchpad. Making sure the motor is plugged in should be your first step. If it is, check the circuit breaker, to ensure no blown fuses exist. If these steps don’t work, you may need a new motor or garage door opener. For more in-depth diagnosis, consult a professional.

#3. Broken Garage Door Springs

One of the most common and perplexing problems today’s homeowners encounter is that of broken garage door springs. Whether torsion or extension, the springs on your door are designed to do all the heavy lifting, four or more times per day (on average). This use eventually leads to their breakage – particularly since most standard springs are only rated for 10,000 cycles.

The break should be visible. If just one spring breaks, both should be replaced, due to the likelihood of the other breaking in the nearby future. You should NEVER try to force the door open due to the very real possibility of it falling off its tracks. Replacing garage door springs is NOT a DIY project! A professional with the proper tools is better equipped to handle this project.

#4. Broken Garage Door Cables

Due to wear and tear, as well as other conditions, the cables on your garage door may become frayed or break. The cables, in connection with the springs, control the tension and motion of your garage door. Replacing garage door cables can be a challenging maneuver which is why it is best to contact a professional garage door repair technician rather than risk the safety of yourself and your loved ones.

#5. Malfunctioning Remote Control

There are a few things that can cause a remote control to malfunction, including:

1. You might be out of range. Try moving closer.
2. The antenna on the opener’s motor could be blocked or damaged. Make sure it is hanging down from the motor to receive the signal from the remote.
3. If the door opens with the wall switch, but not the remote, a simple battery change should do the trick.
4. If all else fails, try reprogramming the remote, following manufacturers’ recommendations. Lost your manual? Simply follow the instructions below.

Instructions for reprogramming the remote: Simply press the LEARN button on the garage door opener unit. An indicator light should be lit and remain lit for 30 seconds. Within this 30 second time period, press and hold the button on the hand-held remote. Next, release the button when the opener’s light blinks. You should now have a fully functional remote control.