- Discover the most common causes for why the garage door won't open
- Learn how you can fix some of the common issues
- Learn when to call for professional help to open your garage door
You're finally ready to leave the house after rushing to get everything together. You pack up the car and hit your remote only to find the garage door's not opening. There's never a convenient time for this issue to arise, but when it does, there are usually some common issues causing the problem.
We've put together this article to help you with some garage door troubleshooting so you can identify the problem and get started on a solution. When our expert team comes out to find that a garage door is stuck, it's usually the photosensors, a control issue, a misaligned track, or broken springs. Some of these issues you can address, others are best left to professionals
First Things First: Check Locks and Outlets
Before we get into some of the more complicated issues that could be behind why your garage door is stuck, there are some other causes that are often overlooked. If your garage door is manually locked, that could explain a garage door not opening properly. Check any of the locks you may have set either at the base or on the tracks if you have an additional lock there.
Another possible pain point is the outlet where your automatic opener is located. If you press your remote or the control panel and nothing at all happens, it could be that the automatic opener has become unplugged. Look to the outlet above the opener to ensure that it's plugged in. If not, get a ladder, plug it back in, and give it another try. The same is true for the garage circuit break, before anything else, make sure that is in the correct position.
Photosensor Issues Can Prevent Opening
Once you've eliminated locks and the automatic opener as potential issues, you can proceed to the photosensors. These pieces of safety equipment are often located near the bottom of the garage door tracks. One is a transmitter and the other is the receiver, if they detect an obstruction between them, they will either keep the door from opening or cause it to only open partially. Look for:
- Obstructions: As you approach the photosensors, look at the area in their direct path. If there are objects that potentially cross their path, the sensors will prevent the door from opening. Clear anything that may hang in their path or inadvertently swing into it.
- Faulty wiring: If there's nothing blocking the path but you still find the garage door not opening, check the photosensors themselves. Inspect the wiring on the photosensors themselves. If the LED lights on them are not on, it could be that they need to be rewired.
- Misaligned Photosensors: If the photosensors are on, it could be that the sensors themselves are out of alignment. When they are aligned, the LED light should be a solid color. If it's flashing or blinking, loosen the screws on both sensors and lower them as far as possible. Then, you can use string tied to both sensors and a level to get them back into alignment.
Control or Signal Issues Could be to Blame
If you have a modern garage door, then you likely have a remote opener in addition to a wall control panel. One or both of these could be faulty and therefore the reason why your garage door's not opening.
- Check the wall controls: If the wall control opens the door but the remote doesn't, it may be time to change the remote's batteries. If the wall control doesn't open the door but you hear the automatic opener, check that the door hasn't been disconnected from the opener.
- Reset the remote: If you've checked the remote batteries but still find the garage door is stuck, you may need to reset the remote entirely to get it back in working order.
- Test the signal: You can also test for antenna issues. Stand less than 20 feet from the opener's antenna and try using the remote. See if there are any objects blocking the signal or see if the antenna itself needs to be adjusted if the remote still won't work.
Misaligned Tracks May Explain a Garage Door Not Opening
If the door is able to open a bit, but makes unusual sounds before stopping and closing again, this could indicate that the track is misaligned. Typical sectional garage doors or side sliding garage doors require properly aligned, unobstructed tracks to ensure the door's smooth functioning.
- Check to see if the tracks are bent, or if anything that shouldn't be on them is present.
- Assess your capabilities to address these problems.
- If something seems loose or you're not entirely sure what the specific issue is, schedule professional maintenance services.
- Damaging the tracks during repair may cause larger problems
Don't Proceed If You See a Broken Spring
At the top of typical garage doors are one or two torsion or extension springs. These springs are tightly coiled and store huge amounts of potential energy. These springs are what balance your garage door so it can open, close, or sit somewhere in between. If these springs snap or break they can cause severe injuries. If you notice that these springs are broken, stop immediately and schedule emergency repairs before anyone else enters the garage.
Garage Door Not Opening? Call Balanced Garage Doors
If your garage door is stuck and nothing you do seems to work, it could be time for assistance. Trust our professional team for fast, expert repair in getting your door open again. Contact us today to schedule your service.
