Signs You Need a Garage Door Motor Replacement Now

The motor is the one mechanical device that can wear out and not operate as efficiently over time before wearing out completely, resulting in coast operation and eventual failure. If you dismiss early signs of problems with your garage door motor, you could wind up with wasted time, money and headaches due to breakdowns, expensive repairs or a complete motor replacement down the line. 

It is important to know when your garage door motor has run its course in pushing, pulling or powering your door. Sometimes indications of a failing garage motor include unusual sounds, a lag in the door moving up and down, or the motor failing now and then, which should not be ignored. In this blog, we are going to provide the signs to recognise when it is time to consider a Garage Door Motor Replacement. Recognising these signs will help prevent you from experiencing an unexpected disruption in your garage door lifting for you over and over, and help ensure your garage door will continue to operate effectively for years to come.

Garage Door Moving Slowly or Getting Stuck

If you start to notice a significant reduction in the speed at which the door opens or closes, it's likely your garage door motor is failing. If the door doesn't respond to your command, or if it gets stuck halfway when instructed to open or close, your motor may be failing due to a loss of power.

This slower speed of motion could be a result of wear in the main motor unit, an electrical problem, or a mechanical obstruction. If the new garage doors open sluggishly due to lubrication or if the spring is not adjusted properly, that is one thing. But in most cases, continued slow door movement usually involves a reduction in motor speed from fatigue, and motor replacement is the remedy.

Motor Producing Loud or Strange Noises

Garage door motors produce a soft hum when moving with power. If you hear grinding, scraping, buzzing, clicking or rattling noises from the motor or opener unit, consider that a serious warning. Often, the sounds indicate that internal parts such as motor gears, motor bearings, or motor windings are failing.

If you ignore noise warnings from the motor, you may end up damaging the motor parts beyond repair, end up with a failed motor, and create dangerous conditions for your garage door's operation. Prompt motor replacement helps keep you from failure and minimises noise from the failing motor.

The Door Doesn’t Respond to Remote or Wall Controls

If pressing your remote or wall button results in no movement, hesitation, or only partial operation, the motor may be failing. Sometimes, this symptom could be caused by dead batteries or faulty wiring, so those should be checked first.

However, if power is reaching the motor and the door still doesn’t respond reliably, the motor’s electrical components may be malfunctioning. This issue requires prompt diagnosis and often a motor replacement.

Frequent Door Reversals or Safety Sensor Issues

If your door reverses frequently during normal operation without any obstacles, the motor or control board might be malfunctioning, and it's time for Garage Door Motor Replacement.

Faulty motor components can misinterpret sensor signals or fail to maintain proper torque, causing unnecessary door reversals. This can be frustrating and also impact your door’s reliability and safety. When troubleshooting sensors doesn’t fix the problem, a motor replacement is often necessary.

The Motor Overheats or Smells like It’s Burning

If your garage door motor feels hot to the touch shortly after it operates or you smell burning near the opener, this is a serious red flag. A motor overheats when it’s working too hard or there is an issue with the motor's internal components.

If you continue to have overheated motor issues, you can run the motor for too long and cause permanent damage or even a fire. At this point, it is best to stop using the garage door and schedule an in-home inspection from a professional. Most times, if a motor is overheating, it likely needs to be replaced for safe operation.

The Motor Runs, but the Door Doesn’t Move

There are times when the motor sounds as if it’s working — you hear the hum or vibration — but the garage door does not move at all. This usually indicates a broken gear, incorrect gear engagement, or a belt or chain that has slipped, or an internal component within the motor unit's drive system has detached.

Some of these issues can fall into garage door repair, but often the motor assembly is worn out enough that the best long term choice is a full replacement. If your door does not move but the motor is working, you should contact a garage door specialist as soon as you can.

Final Words

If you notice slow door movement, strange noises, unresponsiveness, overheating, or if your motor is simply old, it’s time to consider a replacement.

For trusted, professional garage door motor replacement services, Affordable Garage Doors offers expert solutions with quality parts and timely installation. Visit us for Motor Replacement and to learn more, and schedule your service today. Keep your garage door running smoothly and your home secure with expert help you can count on.