Garage Door Not Opening but Motor Running? Here’s What To Do (Cape Town Fixes)

by Cape Smart Automation

On July 30, 2025

When your garage door refuses to open, even though the motor is humming along, it’s more than just frustrating, it’s a security and access nightmare.

If you’re in Milnerton, Table View, Bothasig, or anywhere in the Northern or Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, you’re not alone. We get calls like these every week:

“My garage door motor runs but nothing happens!”
“The remote works, the light blinks, but the door doesn’t move.”
“Why does my garage door open a little and then stop completely?”

Let’s break down what causes these key issues and how Cape Smart Automation can get your automatic garage door working again , fast.

1. Motor Runs but Door Doesn’t Move

This is a frequent call-out in windy coastal areas like Bloubergstrand or Parklands, where garage door motors are prone to wear from salt air and friction buildup.

Probable causes include:

Disengaged trolley or release cord pulled
Broken drive belt or chain
Worn-out or stripped gear inside the opener
Door stuck due to track obstruction or bent rails
Spring or tension cable failure (common in older doors)

What to do:
Try manually lifting the door, if it feels unusually heavy, the springs may be broken. If the motor runs but nothing moves, it’s likely a mechanical disconnect inside the opener. This will require professional garage door repair.

2. Garage Door Opens a Little Then Stops

This is a telltale sign of travel limit issues or obstruction sensors being triggered.

Common causes:

The up travel limit is set too low
The motor detects resistance and auto-reverses
Worn rollers cause stuttering movements
Door binding or off-track

What to do:
Look for flashing lights on the motor, they often indicate a travel or force error. If you’re in Century City, Durbanville, or Bellville, our team can recalibrate your garage motor’s limit settings and ensure safe, smooth operation.

3. Garage Door Won’t Close – Light Just Blinks

This one’s tricky because many think the remote is faulty. But actually, this is almost always a photo-eye sensor problem.

What causes this:

Sensor misalignment (common in windy areas like Maitland or Edgemead)
Dirty sensor lenses (dust, cobwebs, insects)
Broken or chewed wiring (rodents are common)

Quick Fix Tip:
Clean the lenses and make sure the two sensors “face each other.” If they blink steadily, they’re aligned. Still blinking? It’s a wiring or logic board issue.

4. Garage Door Won’t Open with Remote

Your garage remote is one of the most used devices on your property, and yes, they do fail.

Top reasons:

Dead battery or signal interference
Remote needs reprogramming
Receiver board on the opener is faulty
Remote accidentally unpaired after power surge

Quick Test:
Try using the wall-mounted switch. If it works, the issue is with the remote or receiver. If neither works, the issue is with the opener logic board.

Cape Smart Automation offers remote reprogramming, duplication, and replacement remotes , just WhatsApp us a photo of your unit.

5. How to Fix Garage Door Opener Remote (DIY Steps)

If you’re a little tech-savvy, here’s what you can try before calling us:

Replace the battery
Reprogram the remote: Usually involves pressing the “Learn” button on your opener, then pressing the remote button.
Check for signal interference: Keep away from strong Wi-Fi routers.
Try a universal remote: Many work across brands like Centurion, Digidoor, or ET Nice.

Still no luck? We supply universal garage remotes across Montague Gardens, Goodwood, and surrounds.

6. Garage Door Closes Part Way Then Opens Again

This frustrating issue often happens when the door is heavier than usual or has damaged components affecting smooth operation.

Likely culprits:

Broken or unbalanced springs causing too much resistance
Warped panels or bent tracks
Worn-down motor gear struggling under the weight
An obstruction that’s barely noticeable but enough to trigger safety reversal

Fix tip:
Try manually operating the door. If it’s hard to lift or jerks halfway, the springs or rollers likely need professional attention.

In suburbs like Edgemead or Bellville, where older homes may have aging garage setups, this is a common issue we resolve.

7. Garage Door Leaves Gap at Bottom

A gap at the bottom of your garage door can lead to:

Pest entry
Water leaks
Security vulnerabilities
Insulation issues in winter or windy conditions

Common causes:

Worn or cracked bottom seal
Uneven floor or sagging concrete slab
Door out of alignment due to loose cables or torsion imbalance
Damaged panel or warped material (especially in older timber doors)

Fix tip:
Inspect the rubber seal first – if it’s brittle or peeling, we can replace it easily. If the gap varies from one side to the other, the door may be tilted and need realignment.