Garage Door Won’t Close? Common Culprits and Solutions

Garage Door Repair Newport News

We’ve all been there – you go to close your garage door and it gets stuck halfway or refuses to close all the way. While frustrating, there is usually a simple fix. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons a garage door may not close properly and what you can do about it.

Garage Door Repair Newport News

Broken Springs

The springs that help lift your garage door are among the first things to wear out over time. When they break or lose tension, they won’t be able to close the door fully. You’ll know it’s likely the springs if the door is heavy to operate or seems uneven. Spring replacement is best left to a professional like Garage Door Repair in Newport News.

Sensors Are Misaligned

Photo electric sensors are designed to reverse the door if anything passes through the opening while closing. Over time, they can become dusty or shifted out of alignment. Clean the sensors with a damp cloth and check that the red light beams intersect when the door is closed. Realign if needed following instructions in your owner’s manual.

Loose or Worn Hardware

Noises while operating or a door that doesn’t open and close smoothly could point to loose or worn rollers, hinges, or tracks. Inspect all moving parts and tighten any loose screws or bolts. Replace heavily corroded or worn hardware for smooth functioning. Lubricate all rollers and hinges with dry garage door lubricant.

Wind Resisting Deployed

Many garage doors have an emergency release cord or handle to manually move the door in case of power outages. Make sure this secondary lock is fully disengaged before trying to close electronically. The door needs to be free to operate on its own power.

Remote Range or Battery Issues

Intermittent operation could mean the remote’s range has degraded or its batteries are nearing end of life. Try pressing buttons on the remote while standing near the garage door opener. If it works reliably close, consider replacing remote batteries. Extend the remote’s range through coding if needed.

The good news is that most common garage door issues have easy DIY solutions. But for major mechanical problems like broken springs, it’s best to contact a certified garage door technician. With some testing and simple adjustments, you should be able to get your garage door closing reliably again.