Your garage door opener keeps your home secure and your routine on track, until the day it doesn't. Suddenly you're stuck in the driveway with a door that won't budge. The good news? Most garage door opener problems are diagnosable, fixable, and affordable. Here's how to spot the issue, decide between repair and replacement, and get expert help when you need it.
Garage door openers rarely fail without warning. These are the most common signs that your motor needs professional attention.
If your opener has become louder over time, grinding, squealing, or rattling, it's often a sign of worn gears, loose hardware, or a lack of lubrication. Chain-drive openers naturally make more noise than belt-drive systems, but excessive sound is never normal.
What do different garage door opener sounds mean?
If your garage door opener works inconsistently, the issue is usually electrical think worn remote batteries, misaligned safety sensors, or a failing logic board.
If the wall button works but your remote doesn’t, start with a fresh battery in your garage door clicker. You’d be surprised how often that simple fix does the trick.
If it’s still not responding, give Sun City Garage Doors a call. Our technicians handle these issues every day and can get your opener working reliably again.
Modern garage openers include safety sensors positioned on either side of your garage door, a few inches off the ground. These sensors stop and reverse the door if something's in the way.
First, check if there's anything blocking the sensor path, a broom, shoe, or debris. If the path is clear and your door still reverses for no reason, the sensors may be misaligned, dirty, or malfunctioning. This is a safety feature working overtime, but it needs recalibration.
Pro Tip: Look at the sensor lights. Both should be solid (usually green or red). If one is blinking, the sensors aren't aligned properly.
If your garage door moves slower than usual, hesitates, or stops halfway, a part inside the opener is wearing out.
If your opener doesn't respond to any commands, check these basics first:
1. Is it plugged in?
Look for an electrical outlet on your garage ceiling, usually right next to the opener motor. The plug can come loose from vibration over time.
Did the Breaker Trip?
Check your home’s electrical panel, usually found in the garage, hallway, or utility room. Look for a switch labeled “Garage” that’s sitting in the middle or flipped off, then switch it firmly back to ON.
If the breaker’s fine and the opener still won’t respond, it could be a burned-out motor or a failed circuit board inside the unit. At that point, it’s best to have a technician take a look.
Our team at Sun City Garage Doors can inspect your system and get your opener working smoothly again.
Here's What Most People Can Handle:
Call a Professional For:
Safety Note: Always disconnect power before attempting any work on your garage door opener. If you're unsure about any repair, contact us at Sun City Garage Doors.
Call 702-489-0839 to schedule your appointment. (Do you think this should be centered?)
Let's talk about what actually breaks on garage door openers. Here are the issues we fix most often.
Here's our honest answer: If your opener is under 10 years old and only one thing is wrong, repair it. If it's 15+ years old and stuff keeps breaking, replace it.
Don’t know how old your system is? Check out the table below for a quick comparison.
Our guideline: If you're spending about half the cost of a new opener on repairs for a unit that's over 10 years old, replacement usually makes more sense in the long run.
Not sure which way to go? Give us a call at 702-489-0839 and we'll walk you through it.
Click this link to schedule your appointment.
Your garage door opener works harder than you probably realize opening and closing hundreds of times every month in all types of weather. When something starts to go wrong, it's tempting to ignore it and hope it goes away.
But here's what we've learned at Sun City Garage Doors after 26+ years, small problems don't fix themselves. They just get bigger and more expensive.
The good news is that most opener issues are straightforward. Catch them early, and you're usually looking at a quick, affordable fix. Wait too long and that repair can turn into an expensive but much needed replacement.
Ready to figure out what's going on? Give us a call at 702-489-0839. We'll walk you through it.
Q: How long does a garage door opener repair usually take?
A: Most repairs take 1 to 2 hours. More complex issues like circuit board or motor replacement may take 2 to 3 hours. We carry common parts for same-day completion.
Q: Why does my garage door opener work from the wall button but not the remote?
A: Start with a fresh battery, this fixes it 60% of the time. If not, the remote itself may be worn out or need reprogramming. If multiple remotes don't work, the opener's receiver may need attention.
Q: Can garage door openers be repaired, or do they need to be replaced?
A: Most openers under 10 to 12 years old with a single issue can be repaired cost-effectively. If your opener is 15+ years old with multiple problems or major component failure, replacement usually makes more financial sense.
Q: My opener runs but the door doesn't move. What's wrong?
A: The drive mechanism is likely disconnected or broken. Check if the emergency release was pulled and reconnect it. If not, you'll need a technician to assess the trolley, gears, belt, or chain.
Q: How much does a garage door opener repair typically cost?
A: Garage Repair costs vary based on the specific problem, parts needed, and your opener's age and condition. Sun City provides free estimates so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Q: Is it worth repairing an opener that's 15 years old?
A: For simple fixes like sensors, yes. But if the motor or circuit board is failing, replacement makes more sense. New openers offer modern features, better safety, energy efficiency, and warranty coverage. We'll give you honest recommendations based on your specific situation.
Q: Can I install a garage door opener myself?
A: DIY is possible if you're handy, but professional installation ensures proper alignment, safe spring tension, code-compliant electrical work, and warranty coverage. The cost difference is often smaller than the risk of improper installation.
Have more questions? Check out our full list of garage door FAQs here.
At Sun City Garage Doors, we provide comprehensive garage door services for residential and commercial properties:
At Sun City Garage Doors, we believe your garage door should be safe, reliable, and built to last. For over 20 years, we’ve been the trusted choice for homeowners and businesses across the Las Vegas and Arizona areas.
Our in-house, professionally trained technicians handle everything from quick opener repairs to full door installations, ensuring your system runs smoothly for years to come.
As a locally owned and operated company with locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, we bring a neighborly approach to every job. We’re your neighbors, and we treat every home like our own.
We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout Las Vegas and Arizona.
20+ years of experience and expertise
Same-day service available, 7 days a week (6 AM to 11 PM)
Licensed, insured, and locally owned
10% discount for seniors, military, first responders, and teachers
Free quotes with no trip charge
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Write a review and tell us about your experience.
"Anthony was very helpful and knowledgeable. Took a look at my situation and set me up with a garage door that I can afford. Installation was quick! He made sure everything was to spec and worked before leaving. I will definitely be using Sun City Garage again!"
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"Jared is Professional, punctual & knowledgeable. He is simply awesome. We are extremely happy with the job he did on our garage door Job well done!
"Josh, once again demonstrated the excellent quality of service that Sun City represents. His work expertise and warm professionalism made the whole repair/replace experience very satisfying. Thank you Sun City for another job well done."
"This is my second time using Sun City Garage Doors and would absolutely use them again as well as recommend them. I called late last night and they got someone out the next day. My service technician Anthony was professional, proficient, and very knowledgeable! They are also very reasonably priced."
