Are you frustrated with having to manually open the garage door because the opener in your car stopped working? Don't toss your garage door opener out just because it has stopped working because there are multiple things that can be causing the problem. Find out in this article what you should know about a malfunctioning garage door opener.

Why is the Garage Door Opener Not Working?

One of the main things that can prevent a garage door opener from working is a problem with the sensors. There should be a cover (usually transparent) at the top of the opener that covers the sensors. Take a look at the cover to determine if there is any type of debris on it that is blocking the sensors. If you see any dirt, simply wipe it off with a cloth that has warm water on it. You can also use any household detergent that you have with the water if it makes cleaning the sensor cover easier.

You may also want to check the batteries to make sure they are not causing the problem. A screwdriver is sometimes required to remove screws before you are able to take the battery cover off. If you have already replaced the batteries and the opener still doesn't work, the wires that the batteries touch may be the problem. It is possible that there is rust or debris in the battery compartment. Try cleaning it off with water and detergent on a damp cloth to see if it resolves the problem; otherwise, the garage door itself might be the problem.

What Causes a Garage Door to Interfere with the Opener?

The garage door is important as to how well the opener in your car works because of the sensors on it. There are two sensors on the garage door that can be found approximately two inches from the bottom of each side. If the sensors are dirty or broken, the opener cannot communicate with the garage door. You will have to clean the garage door sensors just like you did with the sensor cover on the opener. A specialist should be hired to replace the garage door sensors if they are broken.

Keep in mind that sometimes the sensors on the garage door will stop working with the opener due to them needing to be reset. You can reset the sensors by simply unplugging the door for a little while and plugging it back in again. If you can't figure out the problem, speak to a contractor such as J & R Garage Door Company Inc. to find out why the garage door opener in your car doesn't work!