15 Common Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open or Close and How to Fix Them

15 Common Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Open or Close—and How to Fix Them

When your garage door isn’t opening or closing properly, the problem is often simple to identify and fix, without the need to call in a professional. Here’s a list of common garage door issues and their solutions to help you get it back on track.

1. Photo Eye is Misaligned

If your garage door isn’t closing, it could be due to misaligned safety sensors. These sensors, located at the bottom of the door track on both sides, need a clear line of sight to each other for the door to close properly.

When misaligned, the door may stop or reverse, and the indicator lights will usually flash. To fix this, simply adjust the brackets holding the sensors so that there is a clear line of sight between them.

2. Photo Eye is Dirty

Debris like dust, leaves, or cobwebs can block the sensors, causing the door to malfunction. Clean both sensors gently, ensuring you don’t misalign them during the process.

3. Garage Door Remote or Keypad Malfunctions

If your garage door isn’t opening with the remote or keypad, the problem may lie with the batteries or settings.

• Battery or Antenna Issue: Replace the remote’s battery or check if the antenna on the motor unit is properly hanging and undamaged.
• Remote Reset: The remote may need to be reprogrammed. Follow the brand-specific reprogramming instructions for your opener.
• Check the Lock: Ensure that the garage door isn’t locked from the inside.

4. Garage Door Rollers Need Lubrication

During winter, cold weather can cause rollers to stiffen, leading to slow or jammed doors. If your door moves sluggishly, try adjusting the opener’s sensitivity, or lubricate the rollers with white lithium or silicone lubricant to improve their movement.

5. Damaged Garage Door Rollers

Worn or rusty rollers can cause the door to bind and fail to open. Regularly inspect the rollers for rust and replace any that are damaged. Lubricating the rollers with silicone or white lithium grease can also help prevent excessive friction.

6. Garage Door Opener Motor is Unplugged

If pressing the remote or wall switch doesn’t activate the door, check if the opener’s motor is plugged in. The power cord can become loose, so ensure it’s securely plugged into the ceiling outlet.

7. Power Supply Issues

If the motor is plugged in but the door still isn’t working, there may be an issue with the power supply. Check if the circuit breaker has tripped or if the GFCI outlet needs to be reset. If other electrical systems in the garage are also out, this could be the cause.

8. Up-Limit Switch Needs Adjustment (Opens Partially)

If the garage door partially opens but stops short of fully opening, the up-limit switch may need to be adjusted. This switch is typically located near the motor unit and can be moved closer to it to ensure the door fully opens.

9. Up-Limit Switch Needs Adjustment (Motor Keeps Running)

If the door opens but the motor continues running, move the up-limit switch farther from the motor unit. This usually happens after a new opener is installed or when internal motor gears have been stripped.

10. Close-Limit Switch Needs Adjustment

If the door opens but doesn’t close all the way, the close-limit switch might need adjusting. This switch controls when the door should stop closing. Adjusting it should help the door close properly.

11. Close-Force Adjustment Needed

If your garage door reverses before hitting the floor, the issue is likely with the close-force adjustment screw. This screw regulates how much pressure the door is allowed to exert before the motor stops. Adjust it to make the door stop properly when it reaches the floor.

12. Garage Door Opener Motor Needs Replacement

If none of the other solutions work, it may be time to replace the motor. If the motor has burned out, you can replace it yourself or contact a professional.

13. Garage Door Springs Need Adjustment or Replacement

If the door isn’t opening, the issue may be with the torsion or extension springs. The torsion spring is typically located above the door, and the extension springs are on either side. These springs can be difficult and dangerous to replace, so it’s often best to hire a professional.

14. Garage Door Cable Has Snapped

The cables that work with the springs to lift the door can snap or come loose, making it dangerous to operate the door. If this happens, it’s best to call a professional to replace the cable.

15. Garage Door is Off Track

If the garage door is off its track or not level, it can fail to open. You may notice slow or jerky movement, squeaking, or unusual noises before this happens. To fix it, loosen the screws that hold the track in place, gently tap it back into alignment with a rubber mallet, and then retighten the screws.

FAQs

What should I check first if my garage door isn’t opening?

Check the proximity of the remote to the garage door. Ensure you’re within range, and if you have more than one remote, test the other one.

Why isn’t the remote on my garage door opener working?

Start by changing the remote’s batteries. If that doesn’t work, try rebooting the system or clean the optical sensors on the remote.

Can I reboot my garage door opener?

Yes, sometimes garage door openers and remotes become unsynced. You can reset them and reprogram the remote control to restore functionality.

Why is my garage door opening irregularly?

If your garage door only opens sometimes, the remote batteries might be running low. Replacing the batteries should resolve the issue.

By addressing these common issues, you can often fix your garage door opener yourself, saving you time and money while ensuring that your garage door works smoothly again.