Is a garage door opener broken if it gets hung-up on the locked sliding bar while raising?
I have a Sears chain-driven garage door opener. When activated from inside the garage, the motor buzzes but will not pull the chain to raise the door. The opener had hung-up previously and still functioned but not this time. Is it broken or can it be repaired?
Expert
Maestro
Generally speaking, the opener should not be damaged if it would not open one or two times. I am not certain from your description exactly where the door is getting hung-up and your Manage My Home profile was not completed to give me any addition information on the door or opener that might help, so all I can provide are some basics.
If you disconnect the door with the release cord you can try to move the door manually (see the image below). The door should be balanced and weighted so that this is fairly easy to do. Try the opener with the door still disconnected, if the chain will move now the problem is probably related to the door. If the opener still just hums and will not move the chain, then there is a problem with the opener assembly itself.
Unfortunately, it is pretty difficult to determine what the problem is based on just these details but most repairs are still simpler and cheaper than replacing an entire opener so you may want to get a professional in to give you an estimate.
Join this conversation.
Member
Start smart
-
Ready to buy what you need?
Shop now -
Still have questions?
Ask us -
Need expert repair service?
Schedule now
“This is a great place to go for advice, especially if you're low on funds and you could resolve the problem before calling and paying a service call, if it's an easy fix. I'm glad you are there for me.”
