Garage door opener not working? 7 checks for Houston homeowners

Updated November 8, 2026

The 7 checks

1. Power. Make sure the opener is plugged in and the outlet works. After a Houston thunderstorm, check for a tripped GFCI outlet or breaker.
2. Safety sensors. The two small sensors near the bottom of the tracks must face each other with a clear path. Wipe the lenses. Strong afternoon sun shining straight into a sensor can also stop the door from closing.
3. Lock mode. Many wall controls have a lock or vacation button that turns off the remotes.
4. Remote. If the wall button works but the remote doesn’t, replace the remote battery, then reprogram it if needed.
5. Manual release. If the red release cord was pulled, the opener runs without moving the door. Reconnect the trolley following your opener’s manual.
6. Broken spring. Look at the bar above the door. A gap in the coil means a broken spring, and the opener can’t lift the door. Unplug it and call.
7. Travel and force settings. If the door reverses before reaching the floor, the limits may need adjusting. Your manual explains how, or a technician can set them.

When to call a technician

• The motor hums but the door doesn’t move.
• You hear grinding, or smell burning.
• Nothing works after a power surge.
• The door doesn’t reverse when something is in its path.

Opener repair in Houston, Texas

Technicians who take these calls work on chain, belt, screw-drive and wall-mount openers across Houston, Texas. Read more about garage door opener repair in Houston.

More guides for Houston homeowners

• Broken spring? What to do firstHeard a bang and your garage door won’t open? A step-by-step guide for Houston, Texas homeowners on what to do right after a garage door spring breaks.
• What affects spring repair costWhat changes the price of garage door spring repair in Houston, Texas: spring type, door size, one or two springs, cycle rating, cables and after-hours calls.
• Why springs break early in HoustonHumidity, salt air, heavy daily use and cold snaps all shorten garage door spring life in Houston, Texas. Here’s why, and how to make springs last longer.
• Torsion vs. extension springsHow to tell torsion and extension garage door springs apart, which Houston, Texas homes have each, and whether converting to torsion springs is worth it.