Wayne Dalton Stripped Drive Gear or Sprocket

Opener hums but door does not move; trolley does not travel along the rail.

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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

Worn nylon drive gear inside opener head, Broken chain/belt sprocket, Lack of lubrication causing gear wear, Overloaded door stressing drive components

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the opener. Support the door with the spring system and do not rely on the opener to hold it.

  • Verify door moves freely: Pull the emergency release and move the door by hand. If it is heavy or stuck, have the springs and hardware serviced before repairing the opener.
  • Inspect drive system: Remove the opener cover. Look for plastic shavings around the motor shaft and drive gear. Check the chain or belt sprocket for missing teeth or wobble.
  • Check trolley movement: With the door disconnected, try running the opener briefly (power restored). If the motor shaft turns but the chain/belt does not move, the internal gear is likely stripped.
  • Replace gear/sprocket kit: Obtain a Wayne Dalton-compatible drive gear and sprocket kit for your model. Follow the service instructions to remove the old gear, clean out debris, grease the new gear, and reassemble.
  • Re-test and adjust limits: After reassembly, reconnect the door, run a full open/close cycle, and readjust travel limits as needed.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Drive Gear and Sprocket Kit
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