SETTING YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER’S TRAVEL LIMITS

SETTING YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER’S TRAVEL LIMITS

Your garage door opener’s “travel limit” switches regulate the position at which the door will stop when opening and closing. Over time, you may need to tweak the limit switches for optimal performance, especially if you are experiencing problems with your garage door. Typically, these problems include your garage door not fully closing or fully opening.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TRAVEL LIMIT SWITCH NEEDS AN ADJUSTMENT?

If your garage door is only opening mid-way or won’t fully open, you will need to adjust the “up” travel limit switch. You will need to adjust the “down” travel limit switch when the door won’t close entirely or stops halfway. In either case, it will be necessary to measure the gap to help quickly reset the limits.

There are many different types of garage door openers, so it is best to consult your particular model’s owner’s manual when adjusting the travel limit. However, the process is generally universal for most garage doors. Just follow these simple steps to make the adjustments.

1. MAKE SURE AN ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY

Before making any adjustments, operate the door by using the opener’s push button or transmitter and allow the opener to run through a complete cycle. If the door opens and closes completely, without any unintended reversing, then no adjustment is necessary. If the door does not open or close to the desired positions, proceed with making the adjustments.

2. FIND THE OPENER’S TRAVEL LIMIT SWITCHES

The best way to find the travel limit switches for your model of garage door opener is to refer to the owner’s manual. If you can’t find the manual or if you don’t have one, the switches are generally easy to locate. Look for them either on the garage door tracks or on the opener unit itself. Look for two white knobs (representing the “up” and “down” travel limits).

3. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SWITCH

Once you locate the limit switch that requires adjustment, use a flat head screwdriver to turn the knob. Turn it clockwise to increase travel distance and counterclockwise to decrease travel distance. One full turn of the screw typically equals approximately 2” of travel distance. So, as an example, if the garage door fails to close properly and there is a six-inch gap between where the door stops and the garage floor, you will likely have to turn the “down” knob three times clockwise to correct the problem.

You may need to test the garage door by opening, closing, and adjusting the knobs several times before getting it just right. Be aware, however, that most garage door openers have a sensor that will automatically shut off the motor if it overheats. That can occur if the garage door opens and closes multiple times in a row. If this happens, wait approximately 20 minutes and try again.

If you live in Madison, WI, or the surrounding areas, and this doesn’t fix the problem, or you are having trouble adjusting the travel limits on your own, call or contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros online to schedule your service today!