Craftsman Increased Door Friction or Weak Motor

Garage door opener runs but moves the door very slowly or struggles, especially in cold weather.

Advertisements

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Thickened lubricant in cold, Dry or rusted rollers, Aging motor losing torque, Overloaded door

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Disconnect the opener before manually moving the door for inspection.

  • Check manual operation: With the opener disconnected, move the door by hand. If it is stiff or jerky, address door hardware issues first.
  • Lubricate hardware: Apply a cold-weather garage door lubricant to rollers, hinges, and springs (do not lubricate the track running surface).
  • Adjust force slightly: In very cold conditions, you may need to slightly increase the up and down force settings. Make small adjustments and re-test safety reversal.
  • Inspect motor performance: If the door hardware is free but the opener still struggles, the motor may be weakening. Consider replacing the motor assembly or upgrading to a newer Craftsman opener.
Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Garage Door Rollers / Hinges or Motor Assembly
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements