Last updated: February 13, 2023 at 10:33 am
A garage can provide a home with extra storage and space, and a good garage door can ensure that whatever is being stored is safe and protected. But sometimes, a garage door can malfunction. This can lead to the opener for the door not working, or sometimes even the door itself not working. When this happens, there are usually a few potential culprits.
Now:
One of the most common examples of a garage door opener malfunctioning is when it begins to click. If your garage door opener is making a clicking noise and you don’t know why, here’s what’s going on and how to fix it.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Security Lock Override Is On
Most garage door systems have a security lock override function. Typically, if the security lock is on, your garage door opener will also be flashing on and off. Usually, the security lock is activated by accident by you accidentally holding a button for too long or sliding a switch without realising.
You can unlock your door opener by following the instructions in the manual. These likely explain that there is a switch on your wall control station.
The switch will need to be flicked to the ‘unlocked’ position (which will usually have a diagram of an unlocked padlock). Sometimes there is a lock button instead of a switch.
Circuit Board Is Faulty
If there is an issue within the opener’s circuit board, you will find that it starts to make clicking sounds. This may be paired with a garage door opener that only works sometimes and is very unpredictable. This can be inconvenient and is usually caused by a power surge or a power outage. Sometimes this damage can be permanent and sometimes it is simply temporary.
If the issue is with your circuit board, you’ve got a couple of options. The first option is to replace the damaged circuit board with a new one.
This is a fiddly job and can be quite difficult for those who don’t know what they are doing. It also might render any warranties you have on the machinery void. Alternatively, you can buy a new garage door opener.
How to Swap Out the Circuit Board
- Unplug the opener to prevent any shocks.
- Swing the light cover open and remove the lightbulb so that it does not get in the way and/or broken.
- Remove the wires by using the small tab that is placed below the point that the wires enter. Push the tabs down and the wires should come loose.
- Take out the three small screws that hold the circuit board into place. These will be placed one in the middle on the bottom, one on the top left and one on the top right. It is recommended that you put these screws in a zip lock bag to make sure that you don’t lose them, as they’ll be essential when it comes to putting the circuit board back on.
- Lift the circuit board up, carefully catching the nut beneath it as you do. Then, turn the circuit assembly upside down.
- You will now need to disconnect the white connector with some small wires on, and then the black connector.
- You should then remove the old light cover using needle nose pliers and pulling it out using the tabs on either side.
- With your new circuit board, place the light cover back on the new assembly, right at the bottom.
- Then, reinstall the connectors and slide the circuit board back over the tabs that you used to get the circuit board out previously.
- Open the light cover and screw the circuit board back into place.
- Reconnect the wires (the red line goes on the left; the plain white goes on the right).
- Reprogram the transmitter (there should be instructions for this in the manual).
- Replace the lightbulb.
If you’re unsure, there are videos out there to help you with this process, or you can hire a professional to replace the circuit board for you.
Garage Door Rollers Are Worn Out
Garage door rollers are an essential part of a functioning garage door system. If they get worn out, they will start to cause a clicking noise from the opener in addition to a grinding noise from the rollers themselves.
It is estimated that garage door rollers can last for approximately 15,000 cycles. For an average user, that’s around 7 or 8 years. If you’re approaching this mark with your garage door rollers, it’s time to get them replaced to stop your garage door opener from clicking.
Related: Solved! How to Stop a Garage Door Rattling in Wind
Photosensors Can See Something
If your garage door has photosensors, you might find that a clicking noise is caused by the photosensors getting stuck. This might be because something is under them like a box or a spanner, or it may just be because there are a few leaves or dust bunnies on the floor that the photosensors are picking up.
When this happens, your garage door opener will click but the garage door will not move. If this is the case, simply sweep away anything that your garage door photosensors might register as an issue, and you should find that the door then shuts.
What Else Could Be Causing a Clicking Noise?
If none of these issues seem to be the culprit of your clicking noise, consider that it might not be the garage door opener that is clicking. In fact, it could be the doors themselves.
Garage doors often click and/or grind when the garage door tracks are misaligned, the track is too close to the door, or when there is an issue with the motor. It might be worth considering these if none of the above solutions solve your clicking garage door!
