Garage Door Opens Randomly? Here’s What to Do

Do you have a ghost in your garage? Probably not. But, if you notice that your garage door randomly opens (or closes), you might wonder. Having your garage door randomly open might seem like a bizarre problem, but it’s more than just annoying. Nobody wants to worry about their garage door unexpectedly opening, especially when they aren’t home or at night.

It’s not only annoying, it can make you worry about the safety and security of your garage and home. So, why does this happen and what can you do to fix it? Here are a few of the most common reasons why a garage door randomly opens.

Check the safety sensors

If your garage door opens and closes randomly or doesn’t close all the way, it’s probably because the safety sensors are not working correctly. These sensors, at the bottom of your garage door, are in place to keep the door from closing if there is something in the way. If they don’t have power though, or if they are not sending a signal correctly, the door may open and close randomly or close and then go back up.

If you are viewing this from a distance, it may seem like the garage door is just randomly opening. But, what’s really happening is that the door is trying to close and the safety sensors are signaling the door to go back up because they think something is in the way.

Clean your garage door opener

Sometimes, the problem is really simple. If you have a remote control for your garage door, you may just have a button that is stuck. If you have an older remote control, it may just need to be cleaned. Check the remote and wipe any debris or grime from it. Then check to see if your garage door opens and closes properly. This may be all it takes to get your garage door working properly again.

Snow or ice buildup

If you live in a cold climate, like Michigan, you know how important it is to keep the bottom of your garage door clear of snow and ice. This will not only prevent your garage door from freezing and getting stuck, but it will also prevent the door from randomly opening when it’s trying to close. When the garage door hits this buildup, it will cause the door to reverse. Or, it may not close correctly or appear to open on its own.

Your Garage Door Opener is Older

If you have an older garage door opener, it is possible that a neighbor might open your garage door. This is not likely, but it technically can happen. If both doors were programmed using the same code, this can mean that your neighbor’s remote control might open your door, and theirs.

This is the least likely scenario, but if you know that, you have a neighbor with a remote control garage, it’s worth having a discussion with them. A simple experiment will answer this question. Just ask your neighbor to open their door with their remote control and see what happens. If your door opens, you know the problem.  To fix this, read your manufacturer instructions and change the code for your garage door opener.

If you’re having issues with your garage door randomly opening and these solutions don’t fix it, give Environmental Door a call at 616-453-0614.  We can help understand things and get your garage door working properly.