9 Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close – Troubleshooting Guide
Garage doors may not close for many reasons but, believe it or not, most of the time, the problem may be as simple as having an obstacle in its path. Like a rock or a toy.
We’ll take a look at some of the simple reasons why your garage door won’t close and some of the more serious reasons where, at that point, you’ll need an expert to help you with.
As always, it is best to consult an expert garage door technician to make sure that your garage door problem is diagnosed properly and solved the first time.
Here are the simple reasons why your garage door won’t close.
1. There is an obstacle in it’s path.
Dirt, grime, rocks, and even dust can accumulate and block the garage door’s path. When this happens, the garage door cannot fully close and will keep on re-opening.
2. Dirty photo-eye sensors.
Photo eyes are small sensors placed on both sides of the door and they send signals to each other when the door is closing. If this signal is interrupted, the door will not close. This prevents accidents from happening like damaging a toy or a bike underneath the door or hitting a person while the garage door is closing.
If this is the case, simple wipe clean the sensors.
3. Something is blocking the sensors.
Like I said, the sensors send signals to each other and if there is something in between the sensors, the garage door will not close. Sometimes, even sunlight or glare could block the sensors.
Move any item that could be blocking the sensors.
4. The sensors are misaligned.
The sensors need to face each other in order to send signals. If they are properly aligned the LED lights in the sensors will be steadily lit. If they are misaligned however, the LED lights will blink. If this is the case, simply move the sensor until they are aligned.
5. Dead transmitter batteries.
If your remote works occasionally, you might have a weak battery and the transmitter is having a hard time sending a signal. To check if you have a weak or dead transmitter batteries, open and close the garage door using the wall controls. If that works seamlessly, replace your transmitter batteries.
6. Enabled disconnect switch.
The disconnect switch allows you to manually open and close the garage door. This comes in handy during power outages and you can’t use the remote to open the door. Check if you just forgot to disable the disconnect switch.
Note: Since July of 2019, it is now a law that new garage door openers sold in California include a back up battery.
Check this out too: Benefits of a battery back up.
Here are some more serious reasons why your garage door won’t close. You’ll need to call a garage door repair technician to help you with these.
1. Damaged tracks.
If you see that the tracks are bent or warped, this could prevent your garage door from closing. Depending on the severity of the condition, you might need to install new tracks.
2. Misaligned tracks.
Overtime, the tracks could get misaligned due to the weight of the door and some other factors. This is a serious issue and you should call a professional immediately if you notice that the tracks are not precisely parallel.
3. Limit setting adjustment
Though this can be done by yourself, adjusting the limit setting could be frustrating. The limit setting defines how far the door needs to move in order to fully close. This could take a few tries so having a professional do this is a good idea. This is usually taken cared of during installation but if for some reason this becomes a problem, just call someone.
Different factors could cause your garage door to malfunction and not close all the way. When this happens, investigate in order to determine the problem. If it is a simple obstacle that is causing the problem, fix it yourself. If you are unsure of what the problem is or if it’s one of the more serious problems listed above, call a garage door repair technician immediately.
Garage Door Medics provides honest and reliable garage door repair, service, and installation for both residential and commercial garage doors using a team of highly-trained technicians. We serve Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, Boise, & Dallas & Fort Worth.
$50 off
a New Garage Door Opener
Limited time offer. Cannot combine with other offers. Valid until 10/01/2026
REDEEM$100 off
a New Garage Door
Limited time offer. Cannot combine with other offers. Valid until 10/01/2026
REDEEM$0
Service Call with Any Repair
Limited time offer. Cannot combine with other offers. Valid until 10/01/2026
REDEEMWhat Are Customers Are Saying
We were happy with prompt dispatching of Serviceman -Gene Arnell to repair our garage door. Gene did a fine job but my biggest concern was that we were not informed of your two spring special. We ended up paying a total of $500 for installing two spring replacement, new rod that holds the springs and a bracket for the one car garage door, which Gene recommended we should have it replaced to avoid future repairs. I had texted for help in my neighborhood and it seems that a garage door specialist lives in our neighborhood, and his cost would have been lower. I look for integrity, good workmanship & reasonable pricing for any repair service at my house. Everyone I talked to after the repairs mentioned that the cost was steep for the work involved. We had no alternative but to get the repairs done immediately since our cars were locked in the garage so I feel I should bring this to your attention.
Show MoreRohinton Panthaky
Garage Door Medics are awesome! From the minute I picked up the phone to when the technician arrived I was fully informed and taken care of. They told me that they would send an email confirmation of my appointment...and they did!. They told me my technician would call a half hour ahead of when he would arrive...and he did! They told me they could make my door a whole quieter and smoother...and it is! They are a five star company all the way. I would highly recommend them to anyone I know and anyone reading this. btw - They actually fixed my door better than new. I bought a brand new house and dealt with the "pterodactyl" (that's what I used to call my garage door) for six years and then I called them up and it is nearly silent now. It turns out the builder who put my door in used a low grade subcontractor who did a bad install on my home and all of my neighbors. I have referred the Garage Door Medics to all of my neighbors. I can hardly walk my dogs without a neighbor seeing me and thanking me for that referral...You’re welcome!
Show MoreNoah Taylor
great service. friendly, knowledge service man.on time arrival. reasonable price.
Show MoreUrsula S. Moede
I had a torsion spring break on my garage door. Contacted Garage Door Medics through their website and setup an appointment via a timely email exchange. Jeff arrived first-thing Saturday morning to do the repair. A thorough inspection, professional service, and answered all of my questions. Jeff even attempted to use 2 less springs to reduce cost. Will certainly use them again in the future.
Show MoreSean Gardinier
Below you will find a review I wrote a few weeks ago based on the UT Deal and my experience with their service. A few days after I was contacted by the company's marketing manager and he admitted it was totally his fault for not indicating they can't service a "home owner style door" or technically called a "tension spring door". I was surprised to be contacted in result of my review but the representative was very understanding and that they should have put the verbiage on their advertisement in the first place. He indicated that all future advertising will say they what they can and can’t service. To help remedy the situation he gave me some reimbursement options to ensure satisfactory and to retain any future business. I must say this would not have happened if it was an under par company. Any ordinary Joe Smoe company would just have over looked the review and blown it off. Their type of service definitely says something about the type of company they really are how they do business. They really want to make sure ALL of their customers are happy. Based on my final experience they stand up to their reputation as a leader in their marketplace. I would recommend them in the future based on their great customer service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I paid $39 for a checkup and service promotion offer they had through UT San Diego. The value was said to be worth $89. The guy came out to inspect my door and said he had been in the garage door business for 17 years. Upon his inspection he indicated I had a "homeowner" style door and to save up $815 for a new one. He sprayed a little silicon on the rollers that took no longer than 3 minutes and said that's all he could do. There was no improvement from his services, the door works EXACTLY the same as before he came out. I feel like they basically robbed me for $39 and I would not recommend their services to anyone. If they are going to put out promos like this they need to indicate they can't help anyone with a "homeowner" style door so other people aren't taken like I was.
Show MoreJon Austin
Overall service was excellent. We had a broken garage door torsion spring. Jordan arrived within a few hours of our call. He replaced both springs and lubricated the entire garage door. He also replaced a couple of broken hinges. A little pricey at $400 but the last set of springs lasted 10 years.
Show MoreJohn Helfrick
One day our garage door remote openers would not work. So, I called Garage Door Mechanics. They said they could be there the next day between 10 am and 2 pm. About 10 am Jacob called and said he was on his way. He fixed the remotes and checked the opener to make sure it was working properly. He made a few adjustments and lubed the gear and was done. I am completely satisfied with Jacob's work. He was courteous and very professional. I would recommend Garage Door Mechanics to anyone. Thanks Jacob. Good job!!
Show MoreRichard Hunt
Awesome Company! We have done business with GDM on 2 occasions so far and each time the technicians have been extremely knowledgeable, courteous and are not in it for the money, but for customer satisfaction. A satisfied customer is a repeat customer - that's why we won't be calling any other company for our garage door needs! Thanks Jeff and Joel, as well as the whole GDM company!
Show MoreV Snyder
I took advantage of a timely garage door "tune-up" on offer through Angie's list. The technician, Joel, very quickly assessed two broken hinges and offered to order them and service the door when the parts came in. As promised, I received a follow-up call to schedule service. Joel explained what he was doing to service the door and why, and, further, what I could do to keep the door operating optimally. I really liked that. I will definitely use Garage Medic for any future service work and happily refer them to my friends and neighbors.
Show MoreJean M. Carlo
The Garage Door Medics were prompt, kind, and efficient. The took care of our garage door expertly. I would recommend them to everyone! Great Job.
Show MoreRebecca Gilleran
These are the guys you want to call when you have a garage door problem. Fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and just plain cool. A really top-notch local business.
Show MoreChristopher Murphy
Eric Murphy was very professional and went beyond the call of duty! I was very satisfied with my experience and I would highly recommend your business to my family and friends! Thank you!
Show MoreKaren Bucher
Our garage door needed a tune up, as it had been a while. The tech noticed that the springs that were on the door weren't correct, and was able to get the right springs installed as part of the tune-up. They showed up on time, got the work done quickly and our door is much happier.
Show MoreTom Perrine
Garage Door Medics did a great, quality and on time job. We are fully satisfied as customer of Garage Door Medics....Thank you and keep up the good work
Show MoreMac Elsayeh
Did a tune up. I didn't think it would do much, but boy did it ever, much quieter. He showed up on time. The only drawback was that we were scheduled twice and a second person was going to come out when we were already seen.
Show MoreTom Dean