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Garage Door Motor Humming But Not Moving: Quick Fix (2025)

By Michael Thompson, IDEA Certified Technician | January 12, 2025 | 5 min read
Why is my garage door motor humming but not moving? A humming motor means the opener has power and is trying to work, but can't move the door. The #1 cause (60% of cases) is stripped gears inside the opener. Other causes include a disconnected trolley, door binding in tracks, broken springs making the door too heavy, or a failed capacitor. To diagnose: disconnect the opener and try to lift the door manually. If it moves easily, the problem is the opener. If it's stuck or heavy, the problem is the door itself.

When you press the button and hear your garage door opener hum but the door doesn't move, it's actually telling you something important. That humming sound means the motor is energized and trying to work. The question is: what's stopping it? Let me walk you through exactly what that sound means and how to fix it. If you're considering a motor or opener replacement, we'll help you decide when repair makes sense vs. replacement.

What the Humming Sound Means

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Power reaching motor

→
🔊

Motor trying to spin

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Something blocking movement

Good news: A humming motor is NOT dead. The electrical components work - there's a mechanical issue preventing movement.

5 Causes of Humming Motor (Door Not Moving)

1 Stripped Gears in Opener

60% of cases

The plastic gears inside the opener's gearbox wear out over time. When stripped, the motor spins but doesn't transfer power to the trolley that moves the door.

Symptoms:
  • Loud humming/whirring sound
  • You may hear grinding noises
  • Trolley doesn't move at all
  • Common in openers 8-15 years old
Fix: Gear kit replacement ($150-$250 installed). Parts cost $30-$60, but requires disassembling the opener.

2 Disconnected Trolley

20% of cases

The emergency release cord (red handle) disconnects the trolley from the rail. If engaged, the opener motor runs but isn't connected to the door.

Symptoms:
  • Motor sounds normal
  • Trolley moves along rail
  • Door stays completely still
  • Red release cord was recently pulled
Fix: Pull the cord toward the motor to re-engage, then run the opener. The trolley should click back into the carriage. Free/DIY fix!

3 Broken Torsion Springs

10% of cases

Springs counterbalance the door's weight. When broken, the door becomes 150-300 lbs of dead weight - far too heavy for the opener motor.

Symptoms:
  • Door won't lift manually either
  • Visible gap in spring coils
  • Motor strains for ~10 seconds then stops
  • Often accompanied by loud bang when spring broke
Fix: Professional spring replacement ($160-$400). Never attempt DIY - springs are under extreme tension.

4 Failed Capacitor

5% of cases

The capacitor stores energy to give the motor the initial "boost" to start. A failed capacitor means the motor can hum but can't generate enough torque to turn.

Symptoms:
  • Loud humming, motor vibrates
  • Motor doesn't spin at all
  • May work intermittently
  • Capacitor may look swollen or leaking
Fix: Capacitor replacement ($80-$150 installed). Requires opener disassembly and electrical work.

5 Door Binding in Tracks

5% of cases

If the door is jammed, stuck, or severely misaligned, the motor can't overcome the resistance. It hums as it tries to force the door to move.

Symptoms:
  • Door won't move manually either
  • Visible obstruction in tracks
  • Rollers off track or damaged
  • Track bent or damaged
Fix: Clear obstruction or call professional for track/roller repair ($100-$300).

Quick Diagnostic Test

Find the Problem in 3 Steps

1
Pull the Emergency Release Cord Disconnect the door from the opener (red cord hanging down)
Door now independent
2
Try to Lift Door Manually If easy to lift → opener problem. If heavy/stuck → door problem (springs or binding)
Key diagnostic test
3
Run Opener (Door Disconnected) Watch the trolley. Moving = gears OK, reconnect trolley. Not moving = stripped gears
Identifies gear issue

Stop the Motor Before It Burns Out!

Don't keep pressing the button hoping it will work. A stalled motor builds heat rapidly. Most openers have thermal protection that will shut off after 10-15 seconds, but repeated attempts can damage the motor windings. Diagnose the problem first, then fix it.

Repair Costs in Toronto

Problem Parts Professional Install
Reconnect trolley $0 (DIY) $80 service call
Gear kit replacement $30-$60 $150-$250 total
Capacitor replacement $20-$40 $80-$150 total
Spring replacement N/A $160-$400
Track/roller repair $40-$80 $100-$300
New opener (if needed) N/A $500-$800 installed

Repair or Replace the Opener?

Repair the Opener

  • Opener is under 10 years old
  • Only gear replacement needed
  • Motor sounds healthy otherwise
  • First major repair on this unit
  • Repair cost under $250

Replace with New Opener

  • Opener is 15+ years old
  • Multiple components failing
  • Motor makes grinding/burning smell
  • Previous repairs within 2 years
  • Repair cost exceeds $300
  • Want smart/WiFi features

The 50% Rule: If repair costs exceed 50% of a new opener's price ($680 for our standard LiftMaster install), replacement is usually the smarter investment.

Opener Still Humming?

Don't risk burning out your motor. Our Toronto technicians diagnose and fix it fast - same day service. Book online.

Call 437-265-9995

Related Troubleshooting Guides

Motor Replacement Cost Guide

When to replace motor vs buy new opener.

Genie Opener Troubleshooting

Common Genie problems and solutions.

Door Won't Close: 12 Fixes

Complete troubleshooting guide for closing issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my garage door opener hum but not move the door? +
A humming motor means the opener is receiving power and trying to work, but something is preventing it from moving the door. The most common cause (60%) is a stripped gear in the opener's gearbox. Other causes include the trolley disconnected from the rail, door binding in tracks, broken springs making the door too heavy, or a failed motor capacitor.
Can I fix a humming garage door opener myself? +
Some fixes are DIY-friendly: reconnecting a disconnected trolley, freeing a jammed door, or replacing a capacitor. However, stripped gears require opener disassembly and mechanical skill. Broken springs should never be DIY. If you're unsure of the cause, start by checking if the trolley is engaged and if the door moves freely by hand.
How much does it cost to fix a humming garage door opener in Toronto? +
Repair costs in Toronto: gear replacement $150-$250, capacitor replacement $80-$150, trolley repair $100-$180, spring replacement $160-$400. If the motor itself has failed, a new opener ($500-$800 installed) may be more cost-effective than motor replacement.
What does it mean when garage door opener just buzzes? +
A buzzing sound indicates the motor is energized but not turning. This usually means either the gears are stripped (motor spins but nothing engages), the capacitor is failing (motor can't generate enough torque to start), or the motor is stalled due to excessive load from binding or broken springs.
Should I replace my opener if the motor is humming but not working? +
Consider replacement if: the opener is over 15 years old, repair costs exceed 50% of a new unit ($300+), you've had multiple repairs recently, or you want smart/WiFi features. A gear kit replacement ($150-$250) is worthwhile for openers under 10 years old with otherwise good condition.