When a garage door opener doesn't function properly, it's often the result of a problem with the electronics that hook up and power the opener mechanism. The following are six common electrical problems that could be causing you grief. 

1. Electrical surges or short circuits have caused the circuit board to fail.

If your garage door has begun malfunctioning after an event such as an electrical storm, the circuit board could be at fault. Electrical storms can cause surges in a home that lead to circuit board malfunctions. A short circuit is another possible cause of circuit board failure. If your circuit board is malfunctioning because of a short circuit, your garage door repair service can inspect your wires and electrical connection to correct the problem and prevent short circuits in the future. 

2. The outlets connecting garage door equipment are dead.

You may have components of your garage door opener that you plug in via outlets. Unfortunately, outlets can eventually die and require repair or parts replacement to begin functioning properly once again. If the garage door equipment isn't working, test your outlets by plugging another electronic device into them and seeing if it works. If other electronics don't work when plugged into the outlet in question, you need to have the outlet repaired. 

3. The motor start capacitor is faulty.

Problems with the motor start capacitor are common causes of malfunctions that require garage door repair. One telltale sign of a faulty motor start capacitor is a burning electrical smell. Your garage door repair technician may need to entirely replace your motor start capacitor to restore your garage door to operating condition. 

4. The disconnect switch of the opener and closing mechanism has been enabled.

One simple cause of garage door malfunctions that's easy to correct is a disconnect switch that has accidentally been enabled. Garage door opener mechanisms are designed with disconnect switches so that the door can be manually opened and closed when the garage door isn't functioning properly. Disabling the disconnect switch can quickly correct this issue. 

5. The batteries of the transmitter need to be replaced.

Another simple electronic repair that could restore proper functioning to a garage door is replacing the transmitter batteries. The transmitter sends the signal to open or close the garage door when you click on your garage door opener. Eventually, transmitter batteries will die and need to be replaced for the opener to continue functioning properly. 

6. The circuit wires are broken.

Broken or faulty wires sometimes cause electrical malfunctions in garage door openers. Wires can wear out over time. Sometimes, it's possible to repair broken circuit wires by covering them with electrical tape. Other times, circuit wires may need to be completely replaced. 

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