Dealing with a garage door that won’t close can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry or it’s late at night. As homeowners in Houston, Texas, you rely on your garage door for security, convenience, and protection from the elements.
At Easy Garage Door Repair, we understand how vital it is to have a properly functioning garage door. In this article, we’ll explore common reasons why your garage door might not close and provide troubleshooting tips and solutions to help you get it back in working order.
Common Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close
A garage door that won’t close is a fairly common problem. Here at Easy Garage Door Repair in Houston, Texas, we see this problem quite a bit. This is because people in this part of the country are frequent drivers, take automotive care seriously, and, therefore, make regular use of their garages. In our many years of garage door repair experience, we’ve found that the vast majority of garage door malfunctions fit into one of seven categories. There are others, for sure, but we’re confident you’ll find most of them are fairly straightforward to repair.
A garage door that won’t close can be a serious problem, especially during the winter or rainy seasons. But the chances are high that one of these solutions will work for you.
1. Sensor Malfunction – Check your sensors first!
The most common reason a garage door won’t close fully is an issue with the sensor. Most garage door sensors employ lasers that, when interrupted, trigger the door to stop closing. This is so that it does not continue to push into the floor when closing or strain the track and fittings when opening. It’s also a safety feature that causes the door to stop closing if a person or animal interrupts the laser. For this reason, your garage door sensor is very important.
Start by giving sensors a good look. Are the LED lights on both sensors lit up? One might be green, the other amber or red – that’s normal. If one or both lights are off or blinking, you’ve found your problem.
Grab a soft cloth (an old t-shirt works great) and gently wipe the lens on each sensor. It’s amazing how much dust and grime can accumulate on these things. While you’re down there, check if either sensor looks crooked or loose.
If cleaning doesn’t work, it’s alignment time. The sensors need to “see” each other perfectly. Gently adjust one sensor until both lights stay solid. A neat trick: have someone hold a level against one sensor while you align the other to match.
Once both lights are steady, test your door. If it closes normally, congratulations – you just saved yourself a service call!
2. Roller & Track Problems
Garages that see a lot of use, and especially ones where a lot of work is done, things are stored, etc, can be especially prone to track problems. Obstructions, bends, warping, and other damage can stop door rollers solid. This can be one of the easiest problems to diagnose, but it can be challenging as well.
A bent, warped, or damaged track can be pretty tough to fix. You may not be able to repair the bend and replacing the track altogether may be necessary. Most of the time, if there’s only some kind of obstruction, it will be easy to remedy by simply removing the obstruction.
Sometimes the track might only be full of dirt, and this is usually rather easy to clean out and fix. If the tracks are not fully parallel, getting them into alignment can range from easy to very difficult, depending on a number of factors.
While you’re at it, this would be a good time to lubricate the rollers and track using silicone or lithium-based grease.
3. Trolley Trouble
The component that connects the garage door opener to the door is referred to as the trolley. Most of the time, there will be a rope hanging from the trolley, making it easy to identify. The rope is used to engage and disengage the chain by the opener to the door itself.
If the trolley is in bypass mode, you may be able to move it by hand freely. You should be able to get the trolley latch out of bypass mode by pulling the rope toward the door. After the garage door opener has been activated, it will re-latch onto the chain and work the way it should once more.
If you are unable to get the rope to engage and disengage the mechanism as designed, you may be able to get it working again by reassembling the connections. If anything is broken or missing from these parts of the garage door system, you should probably consult a garage door repair specialist.
4. Malfunctioning Remote Control – Sometimes in just a simple battery
One of the most common and easiest garage door problems to fix is dead batteries in the remote control. Another problem that looks very similar is the memory of the garage door opener having been wiped clean by a power surge. In either case, you will be unable to open or close the door using the remote. First, replace the batteries, and if that doesn’t do the trick, move on to the next step.
- Using a ladder, open the flap on the back of the light cover of the garage door opener.
- You should see a button marked “learn.”
- Press it until you see a flashing light. Then push the button on your remote (after having changed the batteries). The remote control should work after that.
- If none of that does the trick, it could still be the remote control if it has been dropped often, dropped hard, or is visibly damaged. If that is the case, you may need to order a new one.
5. Maladjusted Limit Screws
Limit screws have contacts that make your garage door opener stop at the upper and lower ends of its movement at a given point. If these are not adjusted properly, you will need to adjust them. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.
- Using a ladder, open the back flap or light cover on the door opener. You should be able to find two plastic adjustment screws, one labeled “up” and another marked “down.”
- Adjusting the down screw will cause the door to stop at a different place in its course.
- The “up” screw will change its upper limit.
- With a flathead screwdriver, adjust these until the door reaches the upper and lower limits you want.
You want the door to stop just after the rubber seal on the bottom of the door is slightly compressed in the closed position. If it closes and then reopens, then the close limit is too low, and you want to adjust it slightly higher. You may need to play around with these adjustments to get them exactly how you want them.
6. A Model-Specific Issue
You might need a garage door opener technician if you run into any of these issues and can’t fix them yourself. Be sure to look at the manual closely. Make sure to perform any of these tasks we have described using their advice if it differs from ours.
7. Opening & Closing Your Door Manually
Again, if none of these solve your problem, you will probably need to work with a professional repair service. In this case, use the bypass rope to detach the opener and put it into bypass mode. Open and close it manually until a repair expert fixes the problem. Operating your garage door manually is the surest way to avoid further damage during this time.
8. The Spring Situation
Garage door springs are dangerous. They’re under incredible tension – enough to cause serious injury if they snap. But you can still do a visual check.
Look at the springs above your door (torsion springs) or on the sides (extension springs).
- Do they look intact?
- Any gaps, breaks, or stretched coils?
If you see damage, stop everything and call a professional. This isn’t negotiable – spring replacement is never a DIY project.
You can test if springs are the issue by disconnecting your opener (pull the red emergency cord) and lifting the door manually about halfway. A properly balanced door should stay put. If it falls or shoots up, you’ve got spring problems.
Troubleshooting Tips From Easy Garage Door Experts
When your garage door won’t close, following these troubleshooting tips can help you identify and resolve the problem:
Tip 1: Check the Door’s Balance
An imbalanced garage door can cause issues with closing. To check the balance, disconnect the opener by pulling the emergency release cord and manually lift the door halfway. If the door stays in place, it’s balanced. If it falls or rises, the springs may need adjustment.
Tip 2: Inspect the Tracks
Bent or damaged tracks can prevent the door from closing properly. Inspect the tracks for any visible signs of damage and ensure they are clean and free of debris. If you notice any issues, contact a professional for repairs.
Tip 3: Test the Safety Reversal System
The safety reversal system is designed to prevent the door from closing on objects or people. To test this system, place an object (like a block of wood) in the door’s path and try to close the door. If the door doesn’t reverse upon contact, the system may need adjustment or repair.
Tip 4: Listen for Strange Noises
Unusual noises, such as grinding or squeaking, can indicate problems with the garage door’s components. Pay attention to any sounds when you try to close the door and note where they are coming from. This can help identify the issue.
When to Call a Professional
While many garage door issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting, some problems require professional expertise. Here are some signs that it’s time to call Easy Garage Door Repair:
- Persistent Problems: If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your garage door still won’t close, it’s best to get professional help.
- Visible Damage: If you notice any broken springs, frayed cables, or damaged tracks, do not attempt to fix them yourself.
- Unusual Noises: Persistent, strange noises can indicate serious issues that need professional attention.
- Safety Concerns: If you feel unsafe or unsure about any part of the repair process, it’s always best to contact a professional.
