Can't Get Your Garage Door Closed or Open

If your garage door goes on the blink, there are a good number of reasons you could be having difficulties. Some are easy, and some are problematic. Here are some typical possibilities and solutions.

Basic Issues

Does the door go down all the way, yet open again? It’s likely the open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are failing. The settings instruct the garage door opener on how far the garage door should move before it’s closed. If set too high, the door will touch the ground before the opener thinks it ought to, presuming the door’s touching something in its path. If so, it will reverse to stop from smashing it. Read the operator’s manual to find out how to set the open-and-shut limits.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, this will happen when the door’s closed and the motor tries yet fails to lift the garage door. Try this:

1. Check the springs.
2. Look at the track for possible obstacles.
3. See if your garage door has a built-in lock engaging accidentally. This often occurs with older garage doors.

What if your garage door just won’t close? The photo eye sensors could be out of alignment. Your garage door has a photo eye on each side, and between them is an invisible beam, which, when it’s broken, keeps the door from closing. Inspect to see if they’re grimy or misaligned. Depending upon which style and brand of sensor you have, if the light’s blinking, there’s something wrong. (Or, if you have sensors with red and green lights, the red one usually means it’s malfunctioning.)

Another possibility of the sensors not working might be the wiring. Check the connections from the sensors to check whether the wires are coming loose or hindered by corrosion. Another issue may be that there’s a short in the wiring someplace, which can sometimes be caused by a staple used during installation; vibrations over the years can eventually cause a disconnect. The wires can also get stretched, resulting in a disconnection.

Does your garage door open and shut randomly? If your garage door opens or closes by itself, that’s a safety risk. But don’t fret. Try this:

1. Make sure the transmitters aren’t wedged under an object unintentionally pushing down on the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitters might be underneath items you’ve forgotten about in your automobile, or somewhere else nearby.
2. Test the transmitters’ frequency. Your neighbor might actually have the same exact frequency as yours.

Does your garage door opener run, yet still doesn’t move? In case of a power failure, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch that makes it possible for you to open or close your garage door manually. This switch, usually attached to a knob or rope, can get unhooked inadvertently. What to do:

1. Open or shut the garage door all the way by hand.
2. Reattach the hook securely.
3. Using the transmitter, you can try opening or closing the garage door again. It ought to work fine now.

Your transmitter batteries may be low. Perhaps, simplest of all, you just need to replace the batteries, and the garage door will open.

Complex Issues

Does the garage door close only part of the way, but open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism to keep it from crushing any object in its path. The reversing instruction can be activated by objects on the ground blocking the door’s path ~ such as a garbage can, bicycle, or box. There may also be a build-up of debris on the tracks ~ grime, dirt, a tiny object, and so forth ~ preventing the rollers from moving forward. This problem calls for an experienced technician.

Your garage door track could be out of alignment. This is definitely serious. The metal track of your garage door must remain aligned properly, or it won’t budge. Check for bends in the rails, or gaps between the rail and the rollers. As years go by, the garage door’s weight can compound these issues, so don’t procrastinate. Your door might soon become dangerous, so hire a garage door repair company.

Does your garage door still not go up one bit? Your garage door spring needs attention. Your garage door may have one or two torsion springs, and one or both might be broken. If so, the door will malfunction, or not even open at all.

Does your garage door slam shut with a bang? It’s probably a broken tension spring, which counters the door’s weight. Or, the cables connected to the tension spring are possibly broken. Either can be hazardous, and necessitates a garage door technician.

Prevent Future Issues

Establish a routine garage door maintenance schedule to extend the garage door’s life. If your garage doubles as a game room or shop, you’ll certainly want an insulated door, and keep it in tiptop condition. Lubricate your garage door springs, hinges, and rollers ~ at least annually, before winter comes. Without lubrication, ultimately the springs will rust and the coils will bind. Use a reputable brand, and it won’t dry out. A light coating is all you need.

Once per month, examine your garage door system’s components.

1. Tighten down loose bolts.
2. Replace worn parts.
3. If you ever hear odd noises when your garage door opens and closes, immediately investigate.

Every other year, clean your garage door to prolong its life.
1. Wash both sides with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse well.
2. Wash the garage door opener sensor eyes with a dry, clean cloth.
3. Keep the perimeter around the sensors free of grime and cobwebs.
4. For a steel garage door, apply car wax if you want cold-weather protection.
5. For a wooden garage door, if you notice signs of chipping or peeling, apply a fresh coat of paint.

Schedule an annual inspection with a garage door repair service company. Pulleys, springs, wires, and cables require professional attention. DO NOT adjust your garage door yourself! A garage door spring can cause severe injury, and even death. The cables, drums, and bottom brackets sometimes requires adjustment. Hire a trustworthy garage door repair company.