Quick Diagnosis Chart
Use this table to quickly identify your problem and whether you can fix it yourself:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Remote clicks but nothing happens | Dead battery or unprogrammed | DIY - Replace battery |
| Wall button works, remote doesn't | Remote issue | DIY - Reprogram remote |
| Motor runs but door doesn't move | Disconnected trolley or broken gear | Call Pro |
| Door opens partially then stops | Broken spring or track obstruction | Call Pro |
| Door is extremely heavy | Broken spring | Call Pro |
| Loud bang heard from garage | Spring just broke | Call Pro |
| Sensors blinking red | Misalignment or obstruction | DIY - Clean/realign sensors |
| Nothing works at all | Power issue | DIY - Check outlet/breaker |
10 DIY Fixes to Try First
Before calling for service, try these quick fixes in order:
Replace Remote Battery
The #1 cause of "garage door won't open" calls. Most remotes use CR2032 or similar batteries. Even if the LED lights up, weak batteries can prevent signal transmission.
Check the Wall Button
If the wall button works but the remote doesn't, the problem is the remote (battery or programming). If neither works, check the power source.
Verify Power to Opener
Check if the opener light turns on when you press the button. If not, check the outlet, reset the GFCI outlet if applicable, and check your breaker panel.
Look for Sensor Obstruction
Check the safety sensors at the bottom of the door tracks. Remove any objects blocking the beam. Clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth.
Check Sensor Alignment
Both sensors should have steady green lights. If one is blinking, the sensors are misaligned. Gently adjust until both lights are solid.
Check the Emergency Release
If the red emergency cord was pulled, the door is disconnected from the opener. Pull the cord toward the door to re-engage, then try the opener.
Inspect the Tracks
Look for debris, ice buildup, or objects in the tracks. Also check for bent or misaligned track sections.
Check the Lock
Some garage doors have a manual lock that can be accidentally engaged. Check the lock handle on the inside of the door.
Try Reprogramming Remote
Remotes can lose their programming. Consult your opener manual for reprogramming steps, or see our remote programming guide.
Reset the Opener
Unplug the opener for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This can clear error codes and restore normal operation.
Signs of a Broken Spring
A broken spring is the most serious issue and requires professional repair. Before calling, try our door balance test to confirm the issue. Look for these signs:
- Visible gap in spring coils - Look at the spring above your door. A broken spring will have a 2-4 inch gap.
- Door feels extremely heavy - Without spring tension, you're lifting the full 200-400 lb door weight.
- Loud bang from garage - Springs break with a loud noise, often mistaken for something falling.
- Door opens 6 inches then stops - The opener can only lift a few inches without spring assistance.
- Cables hanging loose - When a spring breaks, the cables often come loose too.
- Door closes too fast - Without the spring's counterbalance, the door falls quickly.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension (200+ lbs of force). Improper handling can cause serious injury or death. Always call a professional for spring repair.
How to Manually Open Your Door
If you need to get your car out and the opener isn't working:
- Close the door first if it's partially open (if safe to do so)
- Pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the opener rail - pull toward the door
- Lift the door manually - it should lift easily if springs are working
- If the door is very heavy, STOP - this indicates a broken spring
- Prop the door open if needed (it won't stay up without spring tension)
After using the emergency release, you'll need to re-engage the trolley. Pull the cord toward the door while the door is closed, then run the opener. It will automatically reconnect.
When to Call a Professional
Call Royal Garage Doors immediately if you notice:
Call a Pro If:
- Spring is visibly broken (gap in coils)
- Door feels extremely heavy to lift
- Cables are frayed, loose, or hanging
- Door is off the tracks
- Grinding or scraping metal sounds
- Motor runs but trolley doesn't move
- Door opens/closes unevenly
- You've tried all DIY fixes without success
Toronto Winter Troubleshooting
If your garage door won't open during a Toronto winter, cold weather may be the culprit. Here are winter-specific issues and solutions:
Frozen Weatherstripping
The rubber seal at the bottom of your door can freeze to the garage floor when temperatures drop below -5°C, especially after snow melt refreezes. Never force the door open - this will tear the weatherstripping. Instead, use a hair dryer or heat gun on low setting to gently melt the ice along the seal. To prevent future freezing, apply a thin coat of silicone spray to the bottom seal before winter.
Cold-Thickened Lubricant
Standard lubricant thickens in cold weather, causing sluggish operation or complete binding. If your door moves slowly or the opener motor strains during cold snaps, the lubricant may have become too thick. Use silicone-based lubricant rated for temperatures down to -40°C - it maintains proper viscosity even on the coldest Toronto mornings.
Metal Contraction
Steel tracks, rollers, and springs all contract slightly in cold weather. This can cause binding, squeaking, or in extreme cases, parts that no longer fit together properly. Most doors handle this without issue, but older doors with worn components may struggle. If your door works fine in summer but sticks in winter, annual fall maintenance can prevent this problem.
Spring Failure Risk
Springs are most likely to break during the first cold snap of winter. The cold makes metal brittle, and springs that are near end-of-life often fail when temperatures drop suddenly. If your springs are more than 7 years old, consider proactive replacement before winter to avoid being stuck with a non-functional door on a freezing morning.
Common Repair Costs
| Service | Price Range (+ tax) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Replacement (single) | $160 - $220 | Spring, labor, balance test |
| Spring Replacement (both) | $280 - $400 | Both springs, balancing, safety check |
| Cable Replacement | $150 - $220 | Both cables, labor, inspection |
| Opener Repair | $100 - $200 | Diagnosis, parts, labor |
| New Opener Install | $680+ | LiftMaster opener, installation |
Garage Door Still Won't Open?
Our technicians are available for same-day emergency service across Toronto & GTA.
Call 437-265-9995Frequently Asked Questions
The most common reasons a garage door won't open are: broken spring (door feels very heavy), dead remote battery, sensor obstruction or misalignment, power outage, or a tripped wall outlet. Check these first before calling a technician.
Pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the opener rail. This disconnects the door from the opener. Then lift the door manually. Warning: If the spring is broken, the door will be very heavy (200+ lbs) - do not attempt to lift it.
This usually indicates: 1) Broken spring - door is too heavy for opener, 2) Track obstruction, 3) Limit switch needs adjustment, or 4) Worn gears in the opener. A broken spring is most common.
Start with the simplest fix: replace the battery. If that doesn't work, try reprogramming the remote, check if wall button works, and look for LED indicator lights. If wall button works but remote doesn't, the remote or antenna may need replacement.
Call a professional if: the spring is broken (visible gap in coils), cables are frayed or hanging loose, the door is off-track, you hear grinding/scraping noises, or the opener motor runs but door doesn't move. Never attempt to fix springs yourself.
Cold weather causes several garage door issues: metal components contract and bind, lubricant thickens and slows operation, weatherstripping freezes to the floor, and springs become more brittle and prone to breaking. In Toronto winters below -15°C, these problems are common. Ensure your door is properly lubricated with cold-weather lubricant before winter.
Repair costs depend on the cause: Remote battery replacement ($5-10), sensor realignment ($80-120), spring replacement ($160-400), opener repair ($150-300), or new opener installation ($350-700). At Royal Garage Doors, we offer free service calls with any repair, so diagnosis costs nothing.
Never force a stuck garage door. Forcing can cause track damage, panel bending, cable derailment, or injury if the door suddenly releases. First disconnect the opener using the emergency release, then attempt to lift gently. If it's very heavy or won't budge, stop immediately and call a professional.