Solving the Mystery
Why Does a Garage Door Open By Itself?
Table of Contents
That is an interesting question. Your garage door should not open by itself.
Even if you are equipped with an automatic garage door opener, this sometimes happens for different reasons.
It poses a safety risk, leading to security concerns that can lead to theft.
An unexpected open door can also be a hazard for children or pets.
Yet, the good news is that we have experienced different reasons why this can happen and how you can fix it.
A Stuck Remote Control Button
You may find that the vehicle’s remote control or transmitter has a faulty or sticky button from frequent use.
It can result in the garage door opening with the occasion.
The same can apply even if that remote works as it might be lodged in the console against something.
To fix the problem, remove the remote from any tight spots, like your sun visor or console.
Then, stand to the side of your garage door and press the open/close button to see if it works correctly. If visible dirt is present, you can clean the outside of your remote.
Never use liquids on a remote control; replace it with a new one if it is in poor condition.
If the buttons are not stuck, you can also try replacing the batteries to see if that resolves the problem.
Blocked or Dirty Sensor Eyes
When your garage door drops and reverses, the problem can be caused by a faulty sensor eye found along the tracks.
The sensor eyes help prevent the door from closing on someone or something as it reverses the door.
A blocked or dirty sensor can cause this, so it is best to check if there is no obstruction in the sensor eye’s way.
Sensors are located at the bottom of the door frame.
You can remove obstacles and clean the sensors with a cloth to see if it fixes them.
Misaligned Sensor Eyes
The sensors might be misaligned if you have already checked for obstacles or dirt and the door still opens.
If this is the case, the sensor eyes will trigger the door to reverse.
In some cases, a garage door opener has a diagnostic panel on the side of the opener, indicating a break in the beam.
- First, check this panel. If no panel is present, find the safety sensors at the base of the door.
- The sending sensor typically has an amber light, and the receiving sensor has a green light if aligned correctly. If the green light flickers or is off, the beams are not making contact.
- Return to the sending sensor and loosen the nut to adjust the sensor, but keep your eye on the receiving sensor to see if the light turns green.
The Tracks Are Bent or Have an Obstruction
When your garage door starts to reverse, it can be caused by something in the way of the wheels on the track.
Sometimes, the tracks become bent or shift out of place.
You can inspect them to see if they are damaged and bend or re-align them.
If the wheels do not turn on the track, you can replace them or use silicone lubricant.
The Sensor Eyes Wiring is Damaged
Another cause of a garage door opening by itself is the low-voltage wires running between the safety sensor eyes.
We recommend looking for damaged insulation or bare wire strands.
Fix the frayed wire with electrical insulation tape and replace sections in a lousy shape.
The Wall Control Button is Damaged
A frayed or bare wall control button wire can also cause your garage door to open.
If there is a bare spot, it can brush against the metal door track, and the electrical impulse activates the motor unit.
Inspect the wire, wrap bare wires with insulation tape, or replace wire sections.
There is a Short-Circuit or Stuck Wall Control Button
You find the wall control button near your side entry door, which could be the cause of the problem.
If it is dirty, it might have a stuck button, and the open cycle can be repeated.
You can remove the control button and fix any loose wires if present.
If the button malfunctions, it is best to have it replaced.
Nearby Remotes Open Your Garage Door
You can find numerous wireless opener codes as they are not unique, and sometimes, your neighbour can open your garage door when using their remote.
The best resolution is to ask your neighbour to open their door to see if yours opens. If it does, you can reset your code.
A Faulty Circuit Board
The fault can also be the opener circuit board.
You can fix the circuit board if the connection is loose by resoldering it.
Still, if you are not DIY-inclined, we recommend you call Ottawa Garage Doors & Openers to have one of our technicians check it out.
A Faulty Garage Door Opener
If the above is in check, the only other problem is a faulty garage door opener.
Then, it is time to call a skilled technician to repair or replace it.
Contact Ottawa Garage Door For Faulty Garage Doors
With our extensive experience and expertise, Ottawa Garage Doors & Openers is available for all your garage door needs.
Whether you have a faulty garage door opener or a stuck door, you can trust us to provide the best solution.
Schedule an appointment with us now to have your garage door checked out.