How to Fix a Failing Garage Door Motor: Common Problems Explained

Real Talk—Why Is My Garage Door Motor Not Working?

Garage door motors may seem like simple machines, but a lot of moving parts (and hidden systems) affect their performance. A single issue—like a spring break or power glitch—can shut down your whole garage door.

Here’s the breakdown of what could be wrong and how to spot it.

1. Misaligned Tracks = Motor Overload

Did your garage door get bumped recently—maybe by your car or storage boxes? Misaligned tracks are sneaky culprits. When the door can’t glide smoothly, the motor strains hard to pull the extra weight, wearing out faster.

🔍 Signs to Watch For:

• Door opens unevenly or gets stuck
  
  
• Loud screeching or grinding noises
  
  
• You see gaps or warping in the track
  
  

Pro tip: If your rollers keep jumping the track, stop using the door and call us. We’ll realign everything before your motor burns out.

2. Broken Springs = Danger for You and the Motor

Garage door springs counterbalance the door’s weight. When they break, the motor ends up doing all the lifting—and it’s not built for that.

💥 What You Might Notice:

• Loud pop or bang
  
  
• Door only opens a few inches
  
  
• Cables look loose or tangled
  
  

Warning: Never try to fix springs yourself. They’re under high tension and extremely dangerous. Our pros specialize in garage door spring repair across Houston, and we handle it with the right tools and safety gear.

3. Electrical Issues: When Silence Says It All

If your opener isn’t making any noise, has no lights, or suddenly stops responding to the remote, the issue might be electrical—not mechanical.

⚡ Common Electrical Faults:

• Circuit breaker tripped
  
  
• Faulty wall switch or outlet
  
  
• Fried logic board (from lightning or age)
  
  

What to do:

• Check if the outlet works with another device
  
  
• Reset your breaker
  
  
• Still dead? Call us for garage door opener repair
  
  

4. Dirty or Misaligned Safety Sensors

Today’s garage doors come with photo-eye sensors for safety. But if they’re dirty, misaligned, or blocked, your door may reverse unexpectedly or not close at all.

🔧 Quick Fix:

• Wipe the sensors gently
  
  
• Make sure the LED lights are steady (not blinking)
  
  
• Remove anything blocking the sensor path
  
  

If the issue persists, it could be an internal opener problem—and we’re happy to fix that.

5. Worn-Out Gears or a Failing Capacitor

Inside your garage door motor is plastic gears and capacitors that eventually wear out—especially in older openers. If you hear a hum but nothing moves, this is probably the issue.

🛠️ What You’ll Notice:

• Humming with no door movement
  
  
• A sudden stop mid-cycle
  
  
• A burnt plastic smell
  
  

Don’t worry—you might not need a full garage door replacement. We often replace just the worn components to save you time and money.

When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Old System

Here’s the truth: sometimes it’s not worth fixing an old, inefficient, or unsafe opener.

If your system is:

• Over 15 years old
  
  
• Missing safety features like auto-reverse
  
  
• Constantly breaking down
  
  
• Visibly damaged, rusted, or warping
  
  

…it’s time for a garage door replacement and fresh garage door installation.

We’ll help you find a model that fits your style and budget—whether that’s a classic steel design in Bellaire or a modern frosted-glass door in Midtown.

Houston’s Trusted Name in Emergency Garage Door Repair

Garage door emergencies always seem to happen at the worst times. Whether your car is stuck in the garage during a thunderstorm, or your business’s loading dock door won’t close after hours—we’ve got you covered.

Our 24/7 emergency garage door repair service covers all of Houston, including:

• Galleria
  
  
• The Heights
  
  
• River Oaks
  
  
• East Downtown
  
  
• And surrounding suburbs like Sugar Land and Katy
  
  

We arrive fast, fully equipped, and ready to fix it on the spot.

Local Story – “I Thought I’d Need a New Door…”

Meet Brian, a Heights homeowner who called us in a panic one Saturday morning. His garage door wouldn’t close, the opener was clicking, and he was worried about leaving his home vulnerable all weekend.

Turns out, his safety sensors were misaligned, and the opener’s capacitor was failing. We fixed everything in under 90 minutes—no full replacement was needed.

“Kirby Garage Doors saved me hundreds of dollars and came through faster than I expected. I’m seriously impressed.”
– Brian M., The Heights, Houston, TX

Quick Recap – Fix It Yourself or Call Kirby?

✅ DIY-Friendly Issues:

• Dirty/misaligned sensors
  
  
• Checking power outlets
  
  
• Visual inspection of tracks
  
  

🚫 Call the Pros For:

• Broken springs
  
  
• Loud popping or burning smell
  
  
• Stuck door with no motor response
  
  
• Electrical faults or gear failure
  
  
• Sudden opener shutdown
  
  

FAQ – What Houstonians Ask Us Most

Q: Can I fix a garage door motor on my own?

You can clean sensors or check power, but repairs involving springs, gears, or wiring should be left to licensed pros.

Q: How long does a motor last?

Usually 10–15 years with regular maintenance. We recommend an annual tune-up to extend its life.

Q: Do you handle both home and business garage doors?

Absolutely! We provide residential garage door repair and commercial garage door repair all across Houston, 7 days a week.

Final Thoughts – Don’t Let a Bad Garage Motor Ruin a Good Day

Your garage door is more than just a convenience—it’s part of your home’s security, accessibility, and everyday flow. And when it stops working, it can throw off everything.

That’s where Kirby Garage Doors Co. comes in.

From fast garage door opener repair to complete garage door installation, we’ve got the tools, training, and reputation to get it done right—the first time. We serve the entire Houston area, from Memorial Park to Downtown and everywhere in between.

💬 Ready to Fix That Motor?

Don’t wait until your car is trapped or your business can’t operate.

📞 Call Kirby Garage Doors Co. today at (281) 688-2203
💻 Or schedule your repair online at kirbygaragedoorsco.com/

Let’s get your garage door working like new—fast, affordable, and local.