Code 4
Overhead Door
Motor Overload or Stalled Motor
Overhead Door opener LED flashes 4 times and motor hums but door does not move
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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.
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Possible Causes
Door binding in tracks, Broken or jammed trolley, Worn motor start capacitor (AC models), Motor armature or winding failure
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Disconnect power. Do not attempt to force the door open if springs or cables appear damaged. High spring tension can cause serious injury.
- 1. Check door movement by hand: Pull the emergency release cord and move the door manually. If it is heavy, sticks, or will not move, the problem is with the door hardware (springs, rollers, tracks) and not the opener. Contact a garage door technician.
- 2. Inspect the rail and trolley: With the door disconnected, look along the rail for bent sections, broken trolley, or obstructions. Clear debris and straighten minor bends carefully.
- 3. Test motor without load: Reconnect power with the door still disconnected from the opener. Press the wall button. If the motor still only hums and the chain/belt/screw does not move, the motor or capacitor is suspect.
- 4. Inspect the start capacitor (AC units): Remove the opener cover. Locate the cylindrical start capacitor attached to the motor. Look for bulging, leaking, or burnt smell. Replace with an Overhead Door-compatible capacitor of the same µF rating and voltage.
- 5. Check for overheated motor: If the opener has been cycled many times, allow it to cool for 20–30 minutes and try again. Persistent humming indicates a failing motor or jammed gear train.
- 6. Replace motor or gear assembly if needed: If the motor shaft does not turn freely by hand (with power off) or the motor still hums after capacitor replacement, the motor assembly or internal gear kit will likely need replacement by a qualified technician.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Motor Assembly and Motor Start Capacitor
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