Anticipating garage door repair is intimidating. The costs are high and there’s no telling when you can use your garage door again. Fortunately, some common garage door repair symptoms can mean minor issues.
Do you notice your garage door won’t close—or won’t close all the way? While these issues may seem severe, they’re common. A garage door that won’t shut could be the ticket to needing garage door repair. Or, you’ll only require a simple maintenance service.
Regardless of what you need, never ignore these common signs. Here are 10 reasons why your garage door isn’t closing all the way. Always call a garage door service when you experience these symptoms.
1. The Transmitter Batteries are Dead
To open and close your garage door, there needs to be power. The power comes from your transmitter. Your transmitter runs on batteries. If its batteries have no juice, the transmitter can’t send signals to your garage system.
To know this is the problem, it’s best to call a garage door repair professional to evaluate the transmitter. But if this is the issue, it’s a simple fix: Either you can fix it yourself, or a professional garage service provider can easily replace your transmitter batteries for you.
2. Your Photo Eye is Out of Alignment
When your garage door would close, did it ever open back up if something was in the way?
Ever since 1993, garage doors were installed with a photo eye. Two tiny photo eyes exist at both sides of a garage door, detecting any movement or objects near the door.
If your garage door isn’t closing—or opening, for that matter—this is an indicator your photo eyes are the problem. Sometimes they need a simple cleaning with a rag. Other times they’re out of alignment or need adjusting, which is best handled by a professional. Below, we’ve attached a video by MoreThanMaintenance. In this video, he shows you how to clean the photo eye (or lens) so that your garage door can close all the way.
3. The Track Isn’t Properly Aligned
In order for your garage door to properly open and shut, your track needs the correct alignment. The track is a metal piece that supports the garage door as it moves.
Track alignment problems are one of the most common garage doors issues, but alignment can have different meanings.
Gaps can form between the track and the door’s rollers. The track can even bend which requires repair.
If you suspect alignment issues, call a garage door repair service immediately. If the issue persists, it will get worse.
4. Transmitter or Garage Door Opener Issues
Do you notice the issue occurs when you use your garage door opener? Try closing the garage door with your opener remote first. Then, try closing the garage door with the button inside the garage.
If the garage door closes with the button but not the opener, then your opener, or your transmitter, isn’t working.
Common transmitter issues include being too far away and your neighbors’ transmitters interfering. You may also need transmitter repair or a new garage door opener. It’s best to consult with an expert first.
5. Broken Springs
When your garage door stopped closing, was it a sudden issue? Or did you experience other symptoms?
If your garage door suddenly stops working, you may face broken springs. Broken springs also make a loud banging noise.
The garage door itself doesn’t open and close. The springs do the heavy lifting, ensuring your garage door opens and closes correctly. When the springs break, it’s a serious issue.
If you suspect you’re facing broken springs, be careful about opening the door yourself. Call a garage repair service for peace of mind and safety.
6. The Garage Door Limit Settings Aren’t Set Properly
Do you notice your garage door begins to close but opens back up again? Your settings could be incorrect.
The limit settings signify how far your garage door opens and closes. When the setting is too high, your garage door won’t fully close.
This is a common issue in new garage doors, but old garage doors also face this issue when they need resetting.
To ensure you get the correct settings, hire a garage professional to fix your limit settings.
7. The Disconnect Switch is Enabled
Is your garage door not closing, but the motor is still running? The issue is likely the disconnect switch.
In case you lose power, your garage door has a disconnect switch. Rather than open and close your door automatically, you have to open and close your door manually.
If this is the case, you’ll have to close your garage door manually. A garage door service can also disable the disconnect switch for you.
8. Something is Blocking the Door
If something is blocking your garage door, this is an easy explanation. But often, you don’t know it’s blocking your garage door.
Earlier, photo eyes were mentioned. They detect objects that can block your garage door. But photo eyes don’t only detect objects directly under your garage door. They detect objects up to a certain area.
Maybe your car isn’t parked fully, or an object is too close to the door. Try moving as many items as you can. If nothing works, then it could be a more serious issue.
9. Your Garage Door is Locked
Like every other door in your house, you can lock your garage door. This is most common in older garage doors, which usually have manual locks for security purposes.
If everything else comes clear on your checklist, your garage door is likely locked.
10. Tension Springs or Cables are Broken
Your tension springs and cables help your garage door safely reach the ground. If your springs or cables are broken, your door won’t close, and if it does close, it will crash on the ground.
This issue is extremely dangerous. If you suspect the problem is in your springs or cables, call a garage door repair service immediately.
Now You Know Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close
It’s easy to freak out if you’re experiencing garage door issues. If your garage door won’t close, this signifies a minor issue or a major repair.
These common issues help you understand the potential cause. It is always best to call in a garage repair service to fix it.
Are you having issues with your garage door in greater Chicago or southeast Wisconsin? Check out our garage door repair services, then contact us as soon as possible.