Running into problems with your automatic garage door opener can be frustrating. On the bright side, pretty much all automatic garage doors have an option that allows them to be opened and closed manually. Still, if you're running into issues with your garage door, there are a few troubleshooting steps you may want to take before you call out an expert. Fixing the following problems yourself can save you a great deal of money.

Wall Switch Works But Remote Doesn't

If your garage door opener works when you use the wall switch but doesn't work when you use your remote, there's a good chance your remote needs replacing (assuming you've already checked and changed the batteries). These days, finding a universal garage door remote for any model of opener receiver is quite easy; just check out your local home improvement store and follow the programming steps in the owner's manual. If that doesn't work, however, you may need a new receiver altogether, which is a bit more expensive but is something you can install yourself, so it still saves you money over calling a professional.

Door Goes Up But Won't Go Down

Having a garage door that will go up manually but that won't lower can be frustrating. Often times, however, the issue is as simple as a bad or misaligned sensor. After all, modern garage door openers come with a set of safety sensors that, if tripped, will prevent a garage door from closing. Check your sensors to see if they're misaligned or even covered with dust or debris. If that's the case, you can simply wipe them off with a clean, damp cloth (for dirty sensors) or have a professional realign them. If that's not the problem, there's a good chance you'll need new sensors; that's an installation job best-suited for a professional. 

Nothing's Working at All!

Finally, if you can't get your garage door to open or close (whether you use the wall switch or your garage door remote), then you might be dealing with a fried circuit board. This is especially common as a result of lightning strikes from a major storm. Fortunately, you can pick up a new circuit board and install it in your receiver yourself. Simply remove the cover of the receiver, unscrew the screws holding the old circuit board into place, and replace the existing board with the new one.

If you still can't find out what the issue is or need professional help, contact a garage door company near you.