How to tighten a loose sagging Chain - Garage Door Opener repair

Remember to not over-tighten the chain. Just tighten enough to stop it from hitting the rail.
Replacement gear kit if you need one→ amzn.to/2dRtDVc
If you need a kit, verify it is the right kit for your specific model garage door opener before you buy. In this video, I show you how to tighten a loose sagging chain on a Liftmaster Garage door.
For more help, see my garage door troubleshooting playlist→ • Garage Door Opener Repair
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Disclaimer:
This video is only for entertainment purposes. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or from the information in this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and is to be used at the discretion of the end user/viewer and not AdamDIY and or Adam Hill. If you are uncertain about any step of the process, or feel unsure about your skill level, seek a more authoritative source.

[@thomassweeney5193]

Adam! This was the exact fix that I needed for my garage issue! The bolt had loosened over 2 decades, and this tightened the chain instantly! The garage door now opens and closes fully and smoothly! Thank you!

[@polymyxa8233]

Followed your instruction and adjusted the chain tension a minute ago. Easy and worked well. Thanks for the video!

[@hurricane9que]

Dude, this is a $1,000,000 tip right here! MANY THANKS!!

[@nancysue3804]

Perfect video! Thank you!!!Also appreciate that's it is closed captioned. Garage door problems happen to deaf people too :) LOL!

[@dashjeffreys6998]

This was helpful. I've never messed with a garage door opener but today I adjusted my chain, thanks to this video. And replaced all the 30 year old rollers on my garage door. As my grandson would say, easy peasy. And I know for a fact I saved $300 by not having "a guy" come out and do it.

[@4cOG.rt193]

I'm sure" SAVED" more than that

[@Auror37]

Thanks to KZbin there is a video for virtually every household fix

[@gjle]

the door needs to be disconnected from the opener before adjusting the chain or you'll have uneven tension on each side of the chain. This will wear out the gears and sprockets. Disengage the door from the closer by pulling the red handled rope with the door closed.

[@thedisconnectedwife4165]

Glad I read your comment

[@thedisconnectedwife4165]

@Alex Beyer I don't think it matters which side the slack is on. It's one chain connected by a bolt.

[@thedisconnectedwife4165]

@Alex Beyer yes you need to pull the emergency lever before you start tightening. And when I did mine, it seemed like it took FOR-EVER!! Lol

[@MbalmR97TX]

Very good advice not mentioned in the video!

[@anth0r]

@@thedisconnectedwife4165I believe that you’re incorrect. Remember the spring is tensioned, attaches to the door

[@BeautyandtheBeach1]

thanks Adam. I have procrastinated fixing our garage doors for years because I do not think I am handy. I watched this video, and 5 minutes later, our garage door was 90% better. thanks for sharing.

[@BGIS2000]

Fixed my garage door with your helpful videos. Thanks for two of your videos about overhead garage door.

[@exos2222]

Perfect, exactly what I needed. 5min fix. Thanks for posting.

[@DietBajaBlast]

Just did this, same brand. I used two 14mm wrenches.

[@yghhhj]

Does it matter whether you adjust the chain with the door open -vs- closed?

[@bolsbolbol368]

Keep it closed so you can reach what you need to.

[@michaelwilson7204]

I did this and now my garage door doesn't open or close at all, but you can hear it trying to. Fantastic, thanks Adam 😅

[@vincentrogers6984]

There's a bolt hanging down from the rail near the motor to stop the door. Check to see if the metal carriage the pull string on it is wedged into it. It happened to me. I freed it from the bolt and it worked. Might help

[@Utahforrest]

Thank you. I actually had the opposite problem. My home is a brand new build and about 4 years of settling must’ve caused a shift and I could tell the chain was way too tight. I followed the same steps but loosened it to provide “some” sag and now the problem is fixed.

[@charlycostarica8738]

Thank you men, so good explained. You rock Adam.

[@d.m.1421]

My chain is hanging about 7 inches below the track. Eeee! This video helped huge. It saved me an $85 service charge.

[@nickynicky5265]

I fixed my problem after watched your great video. Thanks

[@jfoss6909]

A few yrs i did what Adam said i made the chain too tight and it did what Adam said and i had to get a rebuild kit, so be careful and do not overdo it

[@tcoleman701]

Adam you are a God send! Thanks so much for clarifying this for me. I was trying to do this with the door closed instead of opened. YOU ARE DA MAN!

[@hollyhamilton1297]

One comment says door should be open and one says closed. I ‘think’ it would be door open?? Great video. Now to try it on my very old Liftmaster.

[@Exodus3360]

Great video because it was quick to show how to fix the sag. My chain started rubbing and I was worried it would ruin the chain so now I will go make the adjustment as shown.

[@dougmckeone1915]

Should the door be open and then make adjustments?

[@Auror37]

Old video but this was exactly what I needed. That cap actually popped off and I had no idea what that was lying on the garage floor.

[@mustang9549]

I agree with everybody else. While you seem to have tackled the easy portion of the question you didn’t really address the exact parameters the question set. When the garage door is at the bottom, I too have an excessive amount of slack on the tension side and no matter how I adjust it, it doesn’t get better. I’m going to assume it’s normal since there’s literally no answer for this anywhere.

[@2brokenwings73]

Would have been nice if you would have shown the other side of the chain. Thanks for the video.

[@vincewaymire5804]

exactly what i needed - thank you

[@davida2034]

Thank you for the great video and great explanation. I do have a question for you: does the chain or motor need to be greased every so often?

[@BGInsurgency]

Does it matter if garage door is open or closed when adjusting?

[@donlawrence7722]

When I tightened the screw, only one side of the chain is tightening up, the other side of the chain (the side without screw) still sagging. I tried to pull the chain to this side. It did not work. What can I do? Thanks!

[@boxturtleman]

According to Liftmaster, the door should be closed and the manual release disconnected from the door. That's the way I've always done it.

[@zoukiezouk2278]

Pro's does it that way. D I Y's find ways to do it faster and not pay a pro to do it. and yeah.

[@RCALivingStereo]

Adam thanks for this I noticed mine was very loose and this helped. saved me a service call Thanks!

[@robertvillaire8328]

Many thanks for this video. I was on the cusp of a new garage door opener, did this, and arrested the problem, at least for now.

[@angelrodriguez5464]

Great video and detailed play by play!! Once I completed the steps in the video, the garage door goes up less and then stops. The more the chain is loose the higher the door goes up; do you know why or what the issue is? Thank you.

[@brucerasmussen5967]

Tools and I don't get along very well. Thank you! followed instruction took less than 5 minutes. Now I wish my golf driver was that easy.

[@garibayja123]

Great video, although I'm Still unsure on how the hell the chain loosened up so much. Must have been that -40 weather.. after doing this All i had to do was adjust the limits.

[@onneyperry1714]

Thanks for taking to time to share. My problem is I have a chain driven Raynor system, and the Carriage assembly is the same. Where can I buy a replacement assembly? My garage repair people tell me they don't make it anymore and I need to replace the whole motor and opener assembly.

[@johnlin318]

Ok, I watched about 3-4 tubes before your video made me realize (not the chain tension but) I have got the two engaging parts on opposite ends, leaving the opener not being able to engage them back. I was like I have seen this door latch close to the garage door side, then light bulb came up in my head! So, thank you!! Haha!

[@darthgumby2406]

Thanks. My door was a bit different, but knowing where to look was a huge help in identifying the tightening mechanism.

[@torgo2010]

Adam, you saved the day. Thanks !!!!

[@Unforgiven118]

Great! Fixed my door in less than 4 minutes. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kennethtaylor6489]

Thank you so very much I appreciate you I need all the help I can get when it comes 2 handyman work bless you and have a great day

[@ZORNphotography]

The best way to do it is to make sure you REMOVE the bolt/chain from sliding mechanism... then, with the garage door OPEN to its fullest, bring back the chain, wrap it around the gear leaving just what looks like barely enough to reach around the gear and over the opener to make it through the hold on the sliding mechanism. Make sure tension is exactly as Adam described then (again make sure you door is NOT connected to the mechanism) hit your opener. The chain and mechanism should move nicely with little chain noise. Once that's complete, go ahead and CLOSE your garage door. Hit the opener again. Voila!

[@melbaknowlton]

Just the video I was looking for! Thanks!

[@kennethdavis2383]

Very nice. I’m not too handy around the house so this helped me quite a bit when I had to change the pulley at the other end.

[@johndotson298]

Having the same issue as we speak just watched your videos so I will try that thanks for the help

[@grizzbear7170]

Thank you sir. Def fixed it for now but does look like my gear shaft is on its way out. Got any videos of changing it?

[@bigrichglynn24]

Thanks for the video. Fixed mine up in a jiffy.

[@TarekFaham]

Thank you for video. In my case the chain has a lot of slack and when it closes motor keeps on moving and stopping until I open and close several times then it will stop. Why this happens and how I can fix this problem.

[@gwendolynwilson4044]

Thank you garage man!

[@derekh5340]

Thank you, where to buy and how to replace the shaft. Thank you

[@markiemark4544]

Great information (and I thought the horrible noise from the garage door was because I had skipped a maintenance interval) / Thanks for the quick fix (it worked great !)

[@AnnetteGomez-fv3hd]

Do you adjust the chain with the door open or closed or does it matter?

[@maryellendevore5373]

My chain makes that banging noise but my door suddenly will not open. I suppose tightening the chain won't hurt, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[@kingrein5]

Good video ... helped me validate what I was going to do to tighten a loose chain that was dragging on the garage door. Thanks!

[@whiskywillie]

Thanks Dude. Saved me a few bucks!,

[@daveupton7457]

You just saved me a couple hunnit, thank you!!!

[@bonesusa1998]

Damn... I think I should go tighten my chain... 😬

[@pkimrey]

This video just helped me thanks.

[@gmwdim]

Thanks, worked great for me when I had the exact same problem.

[@HiTekCowboy]

perfect. simple, short, effective. thanks!

[@ThetruthEc]

What do you do if there is a plastic piece there with screws directly in the change instead of this setup?

[@willie9433]

Thank you so much that’s really simple and also very important so as to not over tighten the chain.

[@pamhart5503]

Does it matter if the door open or should it be closed to adjust

[@alexandrastratanphotographer]

thank you, just what I needed

[@jmartecep]

Thank you for posting this video! It help me tremendously.

[@brandoncoe8852]

Perfect thank you. HVAC electric plumbing I got. Garage door I never learned until now

[@prutissbartlow8835]

sweet.. knowledge is power

[@joesplace3166]

Great video Adam! Thanks.

[@evanlitvak2234]

Thanks, the first time I tried this before watching your video I’m an idiot and tried doing this with the door disengaged from the trolley with the trolley retracted in the door open position

[@gjonesii]

I really needed this info. Thanks so much!

[@elsuarze7]

great video, is there another way to tension the chain, like a tensioner with a sprin,??? so it regulates the tension softly

[@lilreagreg28]

Hi! I just installed new garage door opener. When I set the travel goes up, i then did try to set it down but the door wont close down. I checked the sensor it's both solid lights. Can you help me figure out the problem? Thanks

[@hjhatibu7827]

Very useful video 💯 I just fixed my garage chain

[@davidmoore1098]

Hello I was wondering if it mattered if you tightened the chain if the garage door is open or closed.

[@fngrpepr]

Thanks, fixed my problem perfectly!

[@savior76gd]

I'm experiencing extreme slack on the non bolt side and extreme tightness on the bolt side. I've tried to do as you have instructed in this video but it only seems to tighten and loosen the respective sides. In your video it appears that the door is open either partially or all the way. I can't tell because of the camera angle. Does my door have to be open for this to work?

[@andreamitchell4758]

i have the same problem very frustrating , he just tackles the easy question

[@joanjuhasz9085]

Noom Flow Noom Flow

[@JonathonNeville]

I have the same problem.

[@rachelharris66]

Noom Flow Vvvvvvc.

[@williamthomas4125]

I have the same issue.

[@johnmilanmusic7706]

Excellent explanation! Thanks for offering good related pop

[@Mr.Amplifier.]

Thank you for you video’s! My door will start closing then goes back up! I have check the wires with a voltammeter and everything seems to be okay, sensor are green and Orange not blinking at all! When I try to over write the sensors by continuing pressing the button the door doesn’t close. Rails seems to be okay with the same type of movement. I grease the rails and wheels. Nothing has improving. I am about to change the sensor, I hope that works. I will update this commend as soon as I change them if the issue gets fix. If you have any idea what it might be I really appreciate your help! Best regards Pete.

[@tinman8518]

Thanks for the video. You made me look like a pro!! LOL

[@mayito714]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@stephenbuckton5611]

Thank you. That is exactly what I needed to know.

[@blackhole1397]

It just happened today... Thank your for the great video~~~

[@antoniodesousa1731]

Excellent... exactly what I needed to know!!

[@AnytthinggGoes]

Why does the garage door need to be adjusted every so often. What changes for it to stop working the way it used to?

[@Rockyisntyourname]

Thanks dude. I was looking on the wrong side, going, "How the heck do I adjust this?".

[@conniecarter3848]

Adam, I used your instructions to tighten my chain and it is as far on the bolt as it can go and I still have about a 6 in drop in the chain, It rubs my door and jumps as it is opening/closing. Do I have too much chain and if so, how to I correct that?

[@trackie1957]

Sounds like you need to remove a link or two from the chain (or the chain is severely worn). To remove the link you need a chain rivet tool. Inexpensive.

[@grod4243]

The other side is super loose on my garage door. Will tightening where you are saying tighten the other side? I tried it and now one side seems very tight and the other side is a little better. Im hoping it evens out after a few openings and closings of the door

[@zulmafuller5557]

Hello. My garage door is broken and the piece is not matching to the chain. It is the silver plate that has the rope attached in your video. Could you guide me the name of the clamp that has a rope attached and a video how to repair it. Thanks

[@williedunlap7515]

Great stuff! Worked like a charm. 👍🏾

[@kumarbhatia6566]

Great video. Need to do this today. Thanks 👍

[@andrewsullivanmusic]

Thanks! Saves me $ for not having to call a technician

[@rjmaggio2187]

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for

[@elisabethwolden]

Worked perfectly. Thanks!!

[@roncooney3623]

Good video, Adam. Thanks!

[@rkaos1987]

Thanks. All fixed now 🙂

[@cristianb9868]

My chain is rubbing on the actual garage door as it goes up and down. Is this the same problem? Where I just need to tighten up the chain or is this an entirely different problem? Thanks for the help!

[@healingsoundofwater1684]

You saved me my chains from rubbing and wasting! Thank you!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Thank you

[@hondaguy9153]

How much slack is normal when the garage is closed? the owner's manual says some slack is normal when the door is closed but my chain is hanging about an inch down from the side of the rail when the door is shut. I'm probably going to replace this door opener with a direct drive unit anyway but in the meantime I want to make sure it's adjusted properly.

[@druv2458]

Thanks!! I think this tip is for just a slight bow

[@motafarraghe]

Thanks. Awesome explanation