You’re fast asleep, and suddenly, you hear a soft creak. You look outside, and your garage door is wide open. You know you closed it earlier. Spooky? Yes. But let’s not jump to ghost stories just yet.
At Unique Garage Doors, we’ve seen this happen more often than you’d expect. Let’s break down the real reasons why your garage door opens on its own—especially at night and Flashing Yellow Light—and what you can do to stop it.
1. Faulty Garage Door Opener: The #1 Culprit
One of the most common reasons is a malfunctioning garage door opener. If the internal circuit board is damaged or outdated, it may randomly send signals to open or close the door.
Also, if someone nearby has the same opener frequency, their remote might accidentally trigger your door. It sounds strange, but it happens!
What You Can Do:
- Reset your opener and remote controls.
- Upgrade to a newer, rolling-code technology opener to avoid signal interference.
Need help diagnosing your opener? Our garage door repair experts in Canada are just a call away.
2. Wiring Issues or Short Circuits
Wiring problems can cause random commands to be sent to your garage door. A short circuit in the wall switch or opener unit can trick your system into thinking you’ve pressed the open button.
Signs You Might Have Wiring Issues:
- The wall switch is hot to touch.
- The door opens without using the remote.
- Intermittent response when using the opener.
Don’t try to handle the wiring yourself. It’s always safer to have a professional from Unique Garage Doors take a look.
3. Sensor Problems at the Base of the Door
Garage doors come with photo-eye safety sensors located near the floor on both sides. If these sensors are:
- Misaligned
- Dirty
- Exposed to sunlight
They can behave erratically. In some cases, they might cause the door to open or refuse to close properly.
Here’s How to Fix It:
- Clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth.
- Check for blinking lights or error indicators.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the sensor beam.
Still not sure? Schedule a garage door sensor check-up with Unique Garage Doors in Canada.
4. Power Surges or Lightning Strikes
Yes, even nature can mess with your garage door. A sudden power surge or lightning strike can reset or damage your garage door opener. This might cause it to open on its own—especially during or after a storm.
What Helps:
- Use a surge protector for your opener.
- Disconnect the opener during a storm if you’re extra cautious.
If your system has been acting strange after a storm, our technicians at Unique Garage Doors can run a full system check.
5. Someone Else Has Access
Sometimes the problem isn’t technical at all. Has someone else—like a neighbor or past tenant—had access to your garage? Old remotes, keypads, or smart devices may still be connected.
What to Do:
- Reset your remote codes.
- Reprogram all remotes and keypads.
- Update your smart home settings if you’re using a smart garage system.
Need help reprogramming? Book a garage door maintenance service through Unique Garage Doors.
6. Frozen or Stuck Garage Door Parts
Especially in colder parts of Canada, garage door springs, rollers, and tracks can freeze or get jammed. When the system tries to close the door and fails, it may auto-reverse and open instead.
Prevent This With:
- Regular garage door tune-ups
- Lubrication before the winter season
- Replacing worn-out parts in time
Explore our full list of garage door maintenance services to prevent midnight surprises.
Don’t Ignore the Signs—Fix It Before It Gets Worse
A garage door that opens by itself is more than just creepy—it’s a security risk. It also means there could be bigger mechanical or electrical issues waiting to get worse.
Why Trust Unique Garage Doors?
At Unique Garage Doors, we’re known for:
- Fast, same-day repairs
- Expert diagnostics
- Affordable garage door opener replacements
- Servicing all major brands
Our technicians are local, trusted, and trained to make your garage door safe and secure—day and night.
Final Thoughts
If your garage door is mysteriously opening by itself, especially at night, it’s time to get it inspected. Whether it’s a faulty opener, sensor issue, or wiring problem—it can be fixed quickly with the right help.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t wait until it fails completely. Regular garage door inspections can save you from costly emergency repairs.
Book your inspection with us today at Unique Garage Doors and sleep better tonight!