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7 Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open

Do you know more than 82 million American homes have a garage?

And that modern homes, including the garages, are 61 percent larger than 40 years ago?

A garage door repair becomes critical because we use the space for sheltering all of our vehicles and tools and bicycles. Not to mention all those boxes of Christmas decorations.

But sometimes, the door that keeps all your garage stuff safe stops working.

A garage door that won’t open is more than an annoyance. It can cause serious security and lifestyle problems.

It can be an emergency if your car is stuck inside, and you have to leave.

Don’t crash through it. Figure out what’s causing the problem so you can get it repaired.

Here are some of the most common reasons why your garage door won’t open.

1. The Eyes Are Blocked or Misaligned

Modern garage doors have tiny photo eyes that shoot a laser across the garage opening to detect if someone or something is blocking the door.

Dust can clog the eyes and affect their performance. A rainstorm could also cause problems. In addition, the cord attached to the eyes can be damaged.

The eyes can also become misaligned. They should be pointing directly at each other.

2. Is It Plugged In? 

Sounds obvious, but sometimes the garage door opener can be unplugged or an outlet can fail. Make sure your garage door opener is plugged into a working outlet.

3. Transmitter Problems

There are a couple of things that can make your transmitters stop working to open your garage door.

First, the batteries in your car transmitter could be dead. Check whether the transmitter on the wall in the garage opens the door. If so, it might just be a battery issue.

If it’s not a battery problem, you might be out of range of your garage door.

If you know you are in range and the garage door won’t open, check the antenna hanging from the motor. It has to be free of any obstruction so it can receive the signal to open the door. Also, inspect the antenna for any damage.

4. The Springs Are Broken

If the transmitters are working and the power is getting to the motor, but your garage door still won’t open, the springs may be broken.

Torsion springs do the heavy lifting, and they are the most likely garage door parts to break. Over time, springs will wear out and need to be replaced.

If a spring is broken, you’ll need a garage door professional for the repair. Don’t try to open the door yourself.

5. The Cables Are Broken

Sometimes, when a spring breaks, the garage door cable will also snap. A snapped cable requires a garage door professional.

6. The Track is Out of Alignment

Your garage door’s metal track must be aligned for it to move. If you see gaps between the rollers and rail, or if the rails are bent, you have a problem.

A garage door professional will have the necessary equipment to safely realign and repair the door.

7. The Disconnect Switch is On

If your garage door motor runs, but the door doesn’t move, the disconnect switch may have been triggered.

Usually, the switch is attached to a rope you can pull to engage or a knob that can be turned to disconnect. Check to ensure the door has not been disconnected.

Need Help?

We have a lot more information about openers and everything else related to garage doors.

We can help you protect what’s in your garage and keep your family safe and secure.

Contact us with all your questions!