So you’ve tried to close your garage door and it’s not closing. This situation can definitely be frustrating especially if you’re in a hurry to go out. It can certainly be worrisome to leave your garage door open as it can be an invitation to break-ins and theft. Many people leave valuable items in their garage and don’t want to leave them easily accessible to those passing by. So what to do if your garage door suddenly won’t close?
Luckily there are several things that can cause your garage door to not close that are not serious, although some causes will definitely need to be handled by a professional. Here are some of the most common reasons your garage door is not closing.
- An object is obstructing the door. It could be something as simple as the door being blocked by an object. If anything is in the way, even a small rock, the safety features of the automatic door opener will prevent it from closing. The sensors that are located on both sides of the door cannot be obstructed. Check the area for anything that may be in the way. If the area under the door is clear, check the garage door tracks. If there is significant dirt and debris build up or a small item is jammed in them, it can stop the door from shutting.
- Safety sensors are misaligned. The safety sensors are about 6 inches from the ground and send an infrared beam across the door. They need to be aligned correctly or the door will not close. Sensors can easily be mistakenly bumped causing them to move out of place. Check to see if they are properly aligned and adjust them accordingly if they have been moved.
- Safety sensors are faulty or have been damaged. If the garage door opener sensors are not working, they will not send out a signal and your door will not close.
- Dead batteries. If you are using a remote or an outdoor keypad, the issue may be solved by replacing the batteries. Batteries normally last a couple of years before they will need replacing. Try the wall switch and if that works then most likely it’s the batteries in your remote.
- Bent and damaged tracks or rollers. Tracks that are bent or misaligned, or damaged rollers can prevent the door from closing. If it seems like the rollers are stuck, you can try greasing them to get them moving freely again. If rollers are damaged they should be replaced and if you can see damage to your tracks, you should have a professional do the repairs.
- Broken cables. Cables help to open and close the door smoothly and evenly distribute the weight. If a cable has broken, it can throw off the balance of the door and keep it from operating correctly.
- Broken spring. Springs normally last about 7-10 years. When a spring breaks it will stop your door functioning properly. The spring is what carries most of the weight of the door. Never replace a spring yourself. They are under a lot of tension and can seriously harm someone.
- Door travel limits. The travel limits of the garage door opener will tell it how far to travel before it closes. If this setting is off, it can cause the door to not close. If it is set too high it can cause the door to stop closing fully and if it is set too low, it can cause the door to think that it has hit something and will open back up. This only takes a simple adjustment to correct.
If you are having trouble with your garage door closing, The Door Master can help. Our technicians will quickly identify the problem and have it closing normally in no time so you can leave your home with the peace of mind that your garage is secure.