How to Adjust Your Garage’s Auto-Reverse Settings in 5 Quick Steps

Give your garage the power to rewind

Home garage halfway open
Photo: ziss / Adobe Stock
Home garage halfway open
Photo: ziss / Adobe Stock
C.E. Larusso
Written by C.E. Larusso
Contributing Writer
Updated Mar 3, 2025
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
$0–$50
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Garage doors can have all sorts of wonky problems. You might find your garage door is opening itself or the garage door won't open with the remote. But when your auto-reverse feature isn't working correctly, you really have a problem. Use the following tips to adjust the settings.

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  1. Test the Auto-Reverse Function

    The first step is to test your garage door auto-reverse functionality to see if there's a problem. 

    Here’s an easy tip: Get something solid (like a cinder block or brick) and place it under the garage door. Hit the close button and see if your garage door stops and retracts once it senses the brick. If it doesn’t, stop it manually before the door comes all the way down.

    If the door doesn't reverse or seems slow to respond, this can present potential safety hazards and indicate you need to adjust the auto-reverse setting.

  2. Check Your Owner's Manual

    Once you've determined there's a problem, check the owner's manual. It provides a breakdown of garage door parts, components, and some detailed troubleshooting instructions specific to the garage door model you have. If you don't know where you placed yours, you can likely order a replacement from the manufacturer or find a copy online.

  3. Check the Motor

    If you can't find a manual and want to adjust the settings now, you can troubleshoot on your own by checking the garage door motor itself. The exact location of each motor type varies, but check above where the vehicle would be parked, usually in the center of the garage. The motor resembles a plastic box or container and is safe to touch.

    Depending on your model, there should be a component that looks like a screw or knob labeled as the auto-reserve sensitivity adjuster. You can use this to adjust the sensitivity by turning the knob counterclockwise (or with a screwdriver if it's a screw).

  4. Examine the Rollers

    If your garage door isn’t working properly, it’s possible that the rollers or tracks are damaged. Each door has a set of rollers that live on the side tracks. While the door is closed, examine these rollers and their components, looking for signs of damage or wear. If you notice damage, you can purchase new rollers at a local hardware store and easily replace them without removing your garage door. The rollers, whether new or existing, might also need to be lubricated.

  5. Test Again

    Handyman repairing house garage door
    Photo: Michael O'Keene / Adobe Stock

    Once you’ve adjusted the sensitivity and examined the components, perform the cinder block test again. Keep adjusting, testing, and re-testing until you achieve a sensitivity you like.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

If adjusting the knob and replacing worn rollers doesn't seem to work, this problem may be beyond your capabilities. In this situation, contact a garage door repair specialist near you. They can examine your door to determine what needs to be done and address other problems you might be having, like a noisy garage door.

You can expect to pay an average of $220 to repair a garage door, although the actual cost can range anywhere between $50 and $550. 

You may also need to hire a local electrician to fix faulty wiring, which may cost you $50 to $100 per hour. However, it may be worth it for the peace of mind that your family and pets are safe, even when the garage door is in operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

While garage door openers have different manufacturers, the general instructions for programming them is often the same. First, find the “learn” button on the opener—this is sometimes hidden by the light cover. Activate the opener’s button by holding the “learn” button until it blinks. Then, quickly find and press the remote’s button just once (this will be a button you choose that will operate the garage door). Your mounted opener should flash. After following these instructions, you should wait a few minutes and then test the button on the remote.

If your garage door is not closing or retracting back into place, its safety sensors could be obstructed or dirty. Try cleaning the sensors and see if your garage door functions as it should. If this is not the cause of the problem, you might have faulty limit switches or loose wiring, which can be checked and fixed by a garage door professional.

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Learn more about our contributor
C.E. Larusso
Written by C.E. Larusso
Contributing Writer
A professional content writer, C.E. has written about all things home, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. A third-generation Los Angeleno, she is always looking for ways to make the most of the sun, whether it be building an urban garden or decorating with the help of some low-maintenance, air-purifying plants.

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