The smooth operation of your garage door adds to the convenience of your daily routine. You can come and go as you please, knowing the system will work. When your garage door opens a little then stops, or doesn’t open at all, we know it can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Find out why your garage door won’t open or close — and when it needs expert service.
One of the reasons your garage door isn’t opening could be a problem with the opener. The opener typically works alongside motors to open and close your garage door. If the motors don’t get the power they need, the opener won’t be able to work as it should.
Check that the opener’s cord is connected and switched on. This step may seem obvious, but accidents happen, and the cord may have been ripped out of the socket. If this doesn’t work, you may be dealing with a blown circuit breaker or fuse, in which case it’s best to call a professional.
If you have an automatic garage door, it’s probably equipped with safety sensors. The sensors’ job is to sense if objects are in the way of the garage door closing, causing the door to move down and back up again. Dirt on sensors can cause a false signal, causing the door to not close all the way. Clean the sensors and see if the door closes.
If that doesn’t work, try to realign the receiving sensor so it’s parallel to the transmitting sensor. You can do this by loosening the sensor, readjusting it and tightening it again. If your garage door still doesn’t close, the sensors or their wiring may be damaged. You’ll need to call a professional to replace them.
Tracks guide your garage door as it opens and closes. With daily use, the tracks may become misaligned due to knocks, loose hardware, improper installation or rust. If your garage door won’t open, one of these issues could be the culprit.
Examine the tracks to see if you can find any dents, corrosion or other damage. Rollers move along the tracks, so if they’re damaged, it may affect the tracks, too. If you find damage or anything that looks out of place, contact a technician for an expert diagnosis and track replacement or repair.
Garage door springs provide the tension needed for a garage door to open and close, offsetting its weight so it opens smoothly. A garage door can have two types of tension spring systems:
If your garage door has trouble opening, it could be that the springs are damaged.
The springs hold the garage door in place during operation, so attempting to fix them on your own is dangerous. Call a licensed technician if you suspect the springs need attention.
Cables are another crucial component of your garage door’s operation. The cables next to the tension springs help them open and close the garage door, lifting and lowering it at the right speed. If the springs are frayed, worn out or damaged, they’ll have difficulty supporting the garage door as it opens and closes.
As with the springs, it’s not advisable to troubleshoot cable issues on your own because they carry the garage door’s weight. If your cables are damaged, reach out to an expert for guidance and a replacement.
Garage door openers have limit screws or switches that control how far the door opens and closes. They’re safety features that prevent the door from opening too much or hitting the ground with too much force. A garage door that doesn’t open all the way may have a faulty opening limit.
You can find these switches on the side of the garage door opener and adjust the opening- and closing- limits accordingly. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions manual and adjust the door in small increments if needed.
Sometimes, a fix for a garage door that isn’t closing may be as simple as replacing old remote batteries. If you’ve changed the batteries recently, they may also be faulty. You can test for this before removing the batteries by using another way to open or close the garage door. If you have a separate wall control, press the button. If it works, the remote’s batteries are likely expired and need changing.
If you’ve established that your remote is working and the batteries aren’t the issue, the remote antenna could be to blame. It’s possible you’re out of range while pressing the button on the remote, or the signal is blocked.
First, try getting closer to the antenna or changing positions while pressing the remote button. If this doesn’t work, realign the antenna on the opener to point to the garage door.
If your garage door still isn’t opening or closing, the antenna may be damaged or broken. To prevent further issues, it’s best to call a professional to check.
You use your garage door every day, so it’s normal for debris to get stuck along the tracks, rollers and other door components. A garage door that won’t close all the way could have dirt, dust or even small objects along its tracks. Try cleaning them with a cloth or brush, and ensure the area is thoroughly clean from any sticky debris. While you’re cleaning, it also helps to check if the rollers are stuck.
Dealing with a garage door that won’t close or open can disrupt your day. The professionals at Viking Overhead are here to help, whether you already know what’s wrong or you’re still troubleshooting.
If you need expert service or would like recommendations about getting your garage door back on track, give us a call! You can also contact us online to book a service.
