How often should a garage door opener be serviced?

An annual service is a sensible schedule for a typical home. If several drivers use the door many times a day, or it serves as the main entry to the house, more frequent service makes sense. The door and opener should be looked at together, since a door that drags wears the opener out.

What you can check yourself

• Wipe the opener housing and keep sensor lenses clean.
• Confirm the sensors are aligned and their indicator lights look normal.
• Run the safety reversal tests your opener's manual describes, on the schedule it gives.
• Follow the manual's lubrication instructions for the rail, chain or screw. Do not spray a drive belt.
• Listen for new grinding, rattling or straining.

Do not open powered electrical covers, and never adjust springs or cables. Those are technician jobs.

What a professional service covers

A service visit tests the opener, the door balance and the safety reverse. It also covers the drive system, rail and trolley, travel and force settings, and the remotes, keypad and wall control. The door's springs, rollers, hinges and cables get checked at the same time, because door problems are a common cause of opener strain. Our tune-up covers the door side of that.

Signs not to wait for the next visit

Book sooner if the door reverses for no clear reason, moves slower than it used to, or the opener hums without moving the door. See signs an opener needs repair.

Read more

• Opener repair quick fixes
• Craftsman opener maintenance
• Garage door tune-up

Related questions

• Are Craftsman garage door openers compatible with all garage doors?
• Can an older garage door opener be upgraded with smart features?
• Which garage door opener brands do you service?
• Are parts still available for older garage door openers?
• How do I program a garage door remote?

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