If you press your garage door remote and hear the motor hum but the door does not budge you are not alone. This is one of the most common garage door problems homeowners experience. While it may seem like your garage door opener is still working, that humming sound is often a sign that something is not functioning correctly within the opener or door mechanism. AAA Action Garage Doors would like to explore why your garage door motor hums but will not open, what you can do safely on your own, and when it’s time to call a professional technician.
The Opener Motor Is Straining or Burned Out
Over time, the electric motor inside your garage door opener can wear down. When the motor is failing, it may hum or buzz but not have enough power to lift the door. If your opener hums for a few seconds and then shuts off, the motor might be overheating or burnt out. In this case, contact a professional garage door technician to inspect or replace the motor.
The Door Springs Are Broken
Garage door springs counterbalance the weight of the door. If one or both springs break, the door becomes too heavy for the opener to lift. The motor will hum and try to work, but the door will stay stuck in place. Check above the door for torsion springs or along the sides for extension springs. If you notice a gap, coil separation, or a loud snap sound when it stopped working, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Broken springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. Call a professional right away.
The Door Tracks or Rollers Are Jammed
Sometimes, dirt buildup, rust, or a bent track can prevent the door from moving, even if the motor is running. The hum you hear may simply be the motor trying unsuccessfully to move a jammed door. Inspect the tracks on both sides for debris, dents, or obstructions. Clean out any dirt and lubricate the rollers and hinges with a garage door-safe lubricant. Avoid forcing the door open as it could worsen the damage.
The Opener’s Drive Gear Is Worn or Stripped
Inside your garage door opener, there’s a plastic drive gear that connects the motor to the chain or belt mechanism. Over time, this gear can wear out or strip, causing the motor to run without actually moving the door. If you hear a humming noise and the chain or belt doesn’t move, this is likely the cause. Replacing a drive gear requires disassembling the opener which is something best left to a trained technician.
The Door Is Off-Balance
If your door feels unusually heavy or uneven when you try to lift it manually, it might be off-balance due to uneven tension in the springs or cables. The opener motor will hum as it tries to lift the unbalanced weight but won’t succeed. Test the balance by disconnecting the opener and manually lifting the door halfway. If it doesn’t stay in place, call a professional for a spring or cable adjustment.
Garage Door Services in Aliante, Centennial, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
A humming garage door motor is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a sign that something in your garage door system isn’t working properly. If your garage door motor hums but the door won’t open, don’t wait. Contact AAA Action Garage Doors today.
