How to Adjust a Craftsman Garage Door Opener (Step-By-Step)
If your Craftsman garage door opener isnât opening all the way, closes too soon, or stops mid-cycle, the issue may be with the travel limits or force settings. Learning how to adjust a Craftsman garage door opener is essential for safe and reliable operation. An improperly adjusted opener can create safety hazards for children, pets, and vehicles, and it can also shorten the life of your opener.
This guide from Aladdin Garage Doors will walk you through:
- How to check your garage door before adjusting the opener
- How to set the travel limits and force adjustments
- How to test the safety reversal system and protector sensors
- Troubleshooting tips for common Craftsman opener problems
Before You Begin: Inspect Garage Door and Tracks
Before making any adjustments to the opener:
- Check that the garage door tracks are free from bends, dents, or obstructions.
- Make sure rollers move smoothly and all bolts and screws are tight.
- If the tracks are damaged, fix them first. Problems with alignment can mimic opener adjustment issues.
Step 1: Adjust the Travel Limits
The travel limits control how far the garage door moves when opening and closing.
How to Adjust Travel Limits:
- Run the garage door through a full cycle and see if it fully opens and closes.
- Locate the limit adjustment screws on the opener unit.
- On most Craftsman models, one full turn equals about 2 inches of travel.
- Turn the âUpâ screw clockwise to extend the opening distance; counterclockwise to shorten it.
- Turn the âDownâ screw clockwise to extend the closing distance; counterclockwise to shorten it.
- Make small adjustments and test after each change.
Step 2: Adjust the Force
The force settings determine how much power the opener uses to lift and lower the door.
Adjusting Force on a Craftsman Garage Door Opener:
- Find the âUp Forceâ and âDown Forceâ adjustment screws on the opener.
- Increase the upward force if the door doesnât open fully; decrease it if itâs too aggressive.
- Increase the downward force if the door wonât close completely; decrease it if it doesnât reverse easily.
- Test by opening/closing the door and stopping it with light hand pressure; it should stop and reverse easily.
Step 3: Test the Safety Reversal System
This system prevents injury or damage by reversing the door if it hits an obstruction.
To test:
- With the door open, place a two-by-four flat on the floor under the path of the door.
- Close the door; it should reverse immediately upon contact.
- If not, slightly increase the Down travel limit and retest until it passes.
Step 4: Test the Protector System (Photo Eye Sensors)
The photo eyes detect obstructions in the doorâs path and prevent it from closing.
To test:
- Open the door fully.
- Place an object (like a box) in front of one sensor to block the beam.
- Close the door using the remote.
- If the sensors are working, the door will move less than an inch before stopping, and the opener light will flash.
Troubleshooting Common Craftsman Opener Problems
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Door reverses before closing | Travel limit set too high | Reduce Down travel limit |
| Door doesnât open fully | Up travel limit too low | Increase Up travel limit |
| Opener runs but door doesnât move | Disconnected trolley | Re-engage emergency release |
| Safety reversal fails | Force too high | Reduce Down force setting |
| Door wonât close, lights flashing | Blocked or misaligned sensors | Clean and realign photo eyes |
When to Call the Professionals
While minor adjustments are often safe to handle yourself, some garage door issues require expert attention. Call a professional right away if you notice:
- Grinding or unusual noises coming from the opener
- Frayed or broken cables
- Damaged or broken springs
- Jerking, shaking, or binding when the door moves
These problems can indicate serious mechanical issues that could damage your opener or cause injury if left unaddressed. The trained technicians at Aladdin Garage Doors can quickly diagnose the issue, make precision adjustments, and perform any needed repairs to restore safe, reliable operation.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting a Craftsman garage door opener isnât complicated, but it requires patience, testing, and safety checks. With proper travel and force settings, you can extend the life of your opener, improve safety, and ensure smooth daily operation.
If youâd rather have an expert handle it, contact your nearest Aladdin Garage Doors location today for professional adjustment and maintenance.
Contact Aladdin Garage Doors If You Need Assistance Adjusting Your Door Opener
If you’re experiencing issues adjusting your Craftsman garage door opener â or need any other door-related service â Aladdin Garage Doors is here to help. We have a highly trained crew ready to deliver award-winning service and peace of mind. Contact your nearest location today for more assistance or to request a free design estimate!
FAQs About Adjusting a Craftsman Garage Door Opener
How do I adjust the travel limits on my Craftsman garage door opener?
Turn the âUpâ or âDownâ limit screws on the opener in small increments, then test. Each full turn changes the travel by about 2 inches.
How can I adjust the force settings on my opener?
Use the âUp Forceâ and âDown Forceâ screws to fine-tune how much power the opener uses to lift and close the door. Always test after adjusting.
How to adjust a chain driven garage door opener?
For a chain-driven opener, locate the travel limit screws on the unit, make small adjustments to the âUpâ and âDownâ settings, and test the doorâs full cycle until it opens and closes correctly.
How to adjust open and close force on garage door?
To adjust open and close force, turn the âUp Forceâ screw to change lifting power and the âDown Forceâ screw to change closing strength, testing after each tweak to ensure safety.
How to recalibrate a garage door?
To recalibrate a garage door, reset the travel limits and force settings on the opener, then run a full open-and-close cycle and test both the safety reversal and sensor systems.