Your Genie Garage Opener has been running like a dream so far, but all of a sudden, it’s now giving you trouble. Although fixing your opener by yourself may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be hard. Below we have listed the common problems, fixes, and how to make your garage run smoothly again in no time.
If your garage won’t move at all, check your sensors and wiring system. If it’s reversing after closing, you need to reprogram the system. You may need a screwdriver or a multimeter depending on what the problem is. Always consult your user’s manual for warnings and safety precautions to take.
In this article, you will learn the common problems and solutions with Genie Garage Door Openers. This includes reprograming the system, rewiring broken circuits, how to replace chains or belts, and many other solutions. Whether it’s as simple as knowing when it’s time to replace your remote, or checking the settings on the system, it’s all covered right here.
The Opener Runs but Garage Doesn’t Open
What’s the issue when you hit the wall console, the opener runs, but the garage doesn’t budge? Most likely, someone has pulled the red emergency-release cord without your knowledge. The red cord hangs from the trolley on your garage door system.
When this cord is pulled, the garage door is disconnected from the opener, so the user can operate the door manually. If you’re dealing with this problem, you need to snap the cord back into place. This can be done by pulling the disconnected red cord back towards the opener.
The Garage Door Won’t Open or Close at All
If it’s refusing to budge at all, the most likely culprit are the photo-eye sensors. If you see the sensors blinking, they are the source of the problem. Check if something is blocking the sensors, the lens is dirty, the sensors are misaligned, or if there’s a wiring problem.
If the first three aren’t the issue, investigate your breaker box to see if all switches are working, and make sure your opener is plugged in a working outlet. Sometimes circuit breaker tripping and sensor malfunction can happen after power outages, so it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.
Finally, look at the powerhead controls for two LED lights. On most models, the lights are off during normal operating. If your opener has a back-up battery, both lights will be a steady green. If either are flashing, it’s time to consult your user’s manual.
The Garage Door Reverses or Moves after Closing
If your garage reverses once it hits the ground, you have serval things to check. If it’s a new installation, check the position of the door arm. If that’s good, its limit setting probably needs to be adjusted. The limit setting controls how far the door moves when it opens or closes.
When the limit setting is set past the point of the garage closing fully, the system may think it has hit an obstacle and begin to reverse automatically. Refer to your user manual on how to adjust limit settings for your model.
The Garage door Opens or Closes by Itself
Is your garage opening and closing for no apparent reason? The first solution is to make sure the button is not stuck on the wall control or remote. If your remote is lost or stolen, erase all remotes from powerhead and program existing ones back in. The most common reason for this problem is a short in the wall button or shorted wall button wires.
Disconnect wall control wires from motor head terminals. Wait a while to see if the problem is solved or starts again. If it stops when unattached, replace wall console or wiring.
Remote Control is Not Working Properly
The wall control is working, but the remote is not. Check and see if all remotes have stopped working. If all of them have, this is a sign the that the circuit board may need to be replaced. If it’s just one, replace the battery if needed.
You can also try reprogramming the remote to the powerhead. If none of those works, it is probably time to replace your remote. When your remote is working, but unreliably and only at a short distance, either the batteries need to be changed, or the remote is nearing the end of its life.
Common Fixes for The Genie Garage Door Opener
There are many ways to fix your Genie Garage Door Opener, below are just a few of the possible solutions. Always remember to consult your user’s manual as needed. There are many different models. Be sure to use the solution that works for your specific model.
How to Check for Compatibility
Make sure your remote is compatible with your Genie opener. Here is a master list of all genie models and what remotes are compatible. If you have a Genie 4-Button Universal Garage Door Remote, it is compatible with most major garage door openers.
This includes Overhead Door®, LiftMaster®, Chamberlain®, Craftsman®, Sommer®, Linear®, Wayne Dalton®, Ryobi®, Guardian®, Xtreme® brand, and Marantec®. However, the easiest thing to do is buy your remote and opener both from Genie.
How to Reprogram Your System
If you need to reprogram your unit, here’s how. Before you can begin, pull the red cord so you can operate the door manually and put the door about halfway up. Look on your Genie unit for 4 arrows that point up and down.
Hold the down arrow until you see a blue light flicker on right next to it. It will begin flashing; from that point you have thirty seconds to adjust the door. Press the down and up arrows to adjust the door until it lowers to your desired point. Hit the program set button to the left of the up and down buttons. The light will flash and then turn off; once you see that you know the system is programed.
If you see a red light flash, your thirty seconds have expired, and you will need to start over. Here is a video so you can see what this actually looks like.
How to Check for Damaged Wires
If you suspect a break in the wires may be the problem, here’s how to fix that. Damaged wires will not allow for energy to properly power your opener, so it is important to know how to check for continuity. Testing for continuity will show if a current is making it all the way through the wire.
Firstly, unplug your opener to avoid electric shock. If you have a multimeter, grab it. Access the control board. Then trace the wires back to the board. With your multimeter, measure the resistance of the circuit you want to check.
For instance, if the resistance through a bake element in a certain range is 15 ohms, then all your wires have continuity if they have 15 ohms. You can find the correct resistance value in your user’s manual or tech sheet. If the meter shows a one in the far-left digit, or “OL” it means you have an open circuit, and the power is not going through.
The easiest way to test your outlets is with a receptacle tester, or a “cube/block” tester. Plug it in and it displays the most likely issue with your outlet.
How to Replace Chains or Belts
To replace your chain or belts, refer to your owner’s manual to see all warning notices, potential hazards, pre-installation considerations, and parts list. First, you must assemble the rail. While assembling, make sure all arrows on the rail point in the same direction towards the door. Take gear assembly and slide it through the rail. Screw it into the holes on the back.
Then adjust rail tension. Tighten tension bracket until the belt or chain it is approximately one-eighth of an inch above the bottom edge of the midpoint of the rail.
Next, attach the rail to the powerhead. Turn the rail so the open side is facing the power head. Lower the drive gear onto the spline shaft. Screw a mounting bracket onto the rail. Do not over tighten. Then, mount the heading bracket to the header.
How to Replace Batteries
Replacing the batteries is pretty easy. You’ll need a 2032 battery pack and a flat blade screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to pry off the upper panel, so you can access the control board. Take the old battery out and put the new one in, plus side up.
Then replace the board downwards onto the back of the remote. Put the button and top piece back into place. Squeeze it, and you’ll hear it snap right back into place. Make sure the battery replacement was successful by pressing a button and seeing that the green light flashes.
When is it Time to Call a Professional?
Can’t fix the garage yourself? Consider hiring someone to help. If you don’t think you can safely repair your garage by yourself, if you do not have the knowledge needed to do it, or if your garage is currently in a potentially dangerous position, it’s time to call someone.
In the United States, the cost typically ranges from $147 to $327. The lowest end is about $75, and the upper end is around $561. Either way, when it’s your safety on the line, it’s best to let the professionals handle it.
To Summarize
If your Genie Garage Door Opener is giving you trouble, there are lots of different ways to fix it. In this article, we’ve listed how to solve simple problems, like replacing your remote batteries and checking power sources, as well as reprogramming your opener and checking for open circuit wires.
Always remember to consult this article and your user’s manual when you hit a rough spot, and you’ll have your garage running in no time.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.