Is Your Garage Door Opener Humming?
Your garage door opener should smoothly open and close your garage door whenever you need it. However, you might have noticed a new humming noise when using your garage door opener. While humming might seem minor initially, it could mean you’ve got a garage door opener problem.
If your garage door opener hums but doesn’t move or starts making unusual sounds while working, address this issue quickly. Humming and poor opener performance could mean you need to fix your garage door opener to keep it safe and functional. Use these tips to help you find the cause of your garage door opener humming and get your door back in working shape.
Assessing the Garage Door Opener Humming
If you hear your garage door opener humming, you’ll need to inspect your unit and garage door thoroughly for the source of the noise. Getting to the root cause will help you fix the problem quickly. Remember to be careful when dealing with your garage door — the door is extremely heavy, and damage to the springs or other components could lead to injuries. If you feel comfortable looking at your garage door, check these areas to find the humming’s cause.
1. Inspect the Opener
Start your search with the garage door opener itself. The unit might be causing the humming due to a damage or wear issue. Look for any visible signs of damage, like frayed wires, loose bolts, and worn-out parts. As your opener experiences wear and tear, it can begin creating a humming sound. Ensure your opener is securely mounted to the ceiling with no obstructions blocking its movement.
You should also make sure your opener is still plugged in — it might have come unplugged, preventing it from working correctly. If you can’t find any issue with the opener, you’ll need to check other areas of your garage for the cause.
2. Go Over Your Garage Door
Next, take a look at the garage door itself. Sometimes, a problem with the garage door can lead to the opener humming. Go over the whole garage door and try to spot any dents or bends that could interfere with opening. You might also want to lubricate your garage door’s moving parts. The rollers and hinges can cause problems for your door and opener if they need lubrication. Lubrication helps reduce friction and makes operation smoother — you might need this to minimize opener humming.
3. Check the Tracks
When troubleshooting your garage door opener humming, you must also inspect the tracks. Tracks guide the door’s movement, and any alignment issues can lead to humming or performance issues. Check for debris or obstructions that might’ve caused the issue — obstructions can make the door vibrate, leading to humming.
4. Look at the Gears and Springs
Gears and springs might also cause the humming you hear. Check out the gears and springs on the garage door and opener. Look for signs of wear like cracks, rust, or missing gear teeth. Worn-out gears can produce excessive noise, leading to humming. If you spot these issues, your gears will need replacing.
Additionally, inspect your springs. If any of your garage door springs look stretched, corroded, or broken, they might be why your garage door opener isn’t working. Spring issues can lead to garage door opener strain, which might create the humming sound you hear. If your springs seem fine, lubricate them to reduce friction. If you notice spring issues, you’ll want to call in a professional — springs can be dangerous, and having an expert deal with the problem is best.
5. Ask for Help
If you’ve completed your inspection and you can’t find the problem, it’s time to ask for help. Getting professional assistance allows you to resolve the issue quickly and safely. Contact a licensed garage door technician or service — they have the tools and expertise to diagnose and resolve your issue accurately.
A garage door expert will perform a comprehensive assessment of your garage door system. They’ll look at the opener, tracks, gears, springs and more to identify and fix any underlying problems. Attempting complex repairs yourself without proper knowledge can lead to further damage or safety hazards. With professional help, you can address your garage door issue effectively, giving you a smooth garage door operation once again.
Maintaining Your Garage Door Opener
Like your garage door, your garage door opener also needs maintenance to ensure it stays working properly. After fixing your humming issue, you need to stay on top of maintenance to prevent it from happening again. Use these maintenance tips to keep your opener in good shape:
- Visual inspections: Look at your opener regularly to ensure it’s in good condition. Go over the opener, tracks, and hardware to find any issues. Check for damage, wear, or misalignment, and correct them quickly to prevent long-term problems.
- Lubrication: Keep moving parts on your opener and garage door lubricated as the manufacturer recommends. Tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs need lubrication to reduce friction and wear.
- Test safety features: Test your opener’s safety sensors and auto-reverse mechanisms to see if they work correctly. You’ll prevent accidents and injuries and ensure optimal garage door function.
- Check door balance: You might need to balance your garage door occasionally and adjust the spring tension to keep it working smoothly. Unbalanced doors can cause system strain and wear. Contact a professional for checking the balance and assistance adjusting the spring and maintaining your door.
- Use professionals: Schedule regular professional inspections or maintenance to keep your garage door in top form. Getting professional service at least once a year can help you fix small problems early before they become expensive, dangerous issues.
Schedule Service Today
Don’t let a garage door opener issue stop you from using your garage door. If you’re dealing with unusual sounds or an opener that’s stopped working, contact the experts at Broten Garage Door Sales. We’re an accredited garage door dealership, so you can trust us to provide expert, efficient service. With over 60 years of garage door experience, we have the skills and knowledge to install, repair, and replace your garage doors and openers for years of quality operation. Schedule your service with us today to get your opener working again!
