Check the Tracks

• Check that the tracks are aligned properly. If the tracks are vertical, they must be completely straight and identical in height. If the tracks are horizontal, they must slant down towards the rear of the garage. To realign them, loosen (but do not remove) the screws and bolts for each of the mounting brackets. Then lightly hammer the tracks back into alignment and tighten the screws and bolts. When the tracks are properly aligned, use a household cleaner to clean the dirt and grease off the rollers and tracks. Dry both tracks and rollers after you clean them.
  
  

Check the Springs

• Examine the springs to make sure they are working. A single-car garage has just one spring; a double-car garage has two. Automatic garage doors use torsion springs, which are controlled by pulley cables. You can adjust the springs on two-car garages by bringing the cable through the opening above the door and tying the end. If you have a one-car garage door spring, call a professional to adjust it. There is so much tension on the spring that you might be hurt if you tried to do it yourself. If you have a swing-up door instead of a roll-up model, the springs are attached to each side of the garage door with hooks. Adjust the spring tension by moving the hook to the next notch.
  
  

Check the Garage Door Opener

• If the garage door will not open at all or is opening more slowly than it should, the problem could be the garage door opener. Check the battery in the remote control opener. Most batteries last about a year and then need to be replaced. If the batteries are okay but the door still will not open, your remote may not be in sync with the main garage door opener. You will have to reprogram the remote. Check with the manufacturer for instructions regarding your particular system. Some manufacturers will post this information on their websites.
  
  

Check the Motor

• If you have checked everything else and the garage door still will not open, the garage door opener motor may need to be replaced. These motors cost about $100 and are available at most hardware stores. If you don't want to fix the motor immediately, you can still open the door by pulling the red cord hanging from the motor. This will disconnect the garage door from the power system and allow you to manually open the door.