Garage Door only opening a foot

[nzwasp]

So for the last week while its been super cold when I open my garage door from the panel outside or the button inside it goes up about 6 - 12 inches - sometimes even 2 feet and then stops. Then I have to press the button and it goes down then pressing the button it either does the same thing again or it goes up normally. Is this normal behavior when its -30 out or could something be wrong with the door function to have it behaving this way

@andyl, would be great if you could chime in;

[colinxx235]

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So for the last week while its been super cold when I open my garage door from the panel outside or the button inside it goes up about 6 - 12 inches - sometimes even 2 feet and then stops. Then I have to press the button and it goes down then pressing the button it either does the same thing again or it goes up normally. Is this normal behavior when its -30 out or could something be wrong with the door function to have it behaving this way

@andyl, would be great if you could chime in;

used to happen to us in an older house, depends on the tracks, if they accumulate ice/resistance then yah the door will stop or pull back down as the motor/cable is only designed to have so much tension as its going up. Take a look if if you can see any buildup or obstructions on the track/cable and possibly use some de-icer, and I can't recall the freezing temperature of WD40 but that could also help to run down the tracks

[azian.advanced]

I'm not an expert but try oiling the garage door hinges and rollers and see if that helps. I'm guessing the upper hinges are causing a lot of resistance tripping the motor when the door reaches the curved part of the tracks.

[Tik-Tok]

Your opener will have adjustments for force limits. Look up the manual for it, and decrease the opening force limit which will allow it to use more force when going up. Probably a dial under the light cover.

[TYMSMNY]

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used to happen to us in an older house, depends on the tracks, if they accumulate ice/resistance then yah the door will stop or pull back down as the motor/cable is only designed to have so much tension as its going up. Take a look if if you can see any buildup or obstructions on the track/cable and possibly use some de-icer, and I can't recall the freezing temperature of WD40 but that could also help to run down the tracks

had this happen too. Tracks/rollers. One side would actually pull more and then it was stuck.... crookedly.

[AndyL]

Increase opener force - cold makes things bind a bit more.

Newer without a force setting - you need to reprofile the forces. It'll be written beside the buttons.

No wd40. It's bad mmmmmkay

[revelations]

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Increase opener force - cold makes things bind a bit more.

Newer without a force setting - you need to reprofile the forces. It'll be written beside the buttons.

No wd40. It's bad mmmmmkay

Listen to this man.

Also WD40 is a solvent, which can therefore work as a great dirt attractor and a short term lubricant

[AndyL]

Wd40 doesn't get along with one of the plastics used in one brand of garage door rollers.

Princess auto crappy tire, home Depot, Lowe's, all sell a proper garage door lubricant. Or mix ATF/30wt if you're old school.

[ExtraSlow]

The one place I would recommend wd40 is if the tracks are getting jammed with frost from condensation. Wd40 reduces that kind of buildup.