Troubleshooting
Garage Door Won't Open or Close? Here's What's Going On
Before you panic over a door that will not budge, here are the usual suspects and what you can safely check yourself.
Few things throw off your morning like a garage door that will not cooperate. Maybe it will not open and your car is trapped inside, or it will not close and you cannot leave the house locked up. Before you panic or start yanking on it, here are the most common reasons it happens, what you can safely check on your own, and what to leave to a pro.
Common Reasons a Door Will Not Open
A broken spring. The most common cause by far. If the door will not lift or feels impossibly heavy, this is usually why.
No power to the opener. A tripped breaker, an unplugged unit, or a blown outlet is more common than you would think.
A dead or unprogrammed remote. Sometimes it really is just a battery.
A broken cable or a door off its track. The door may hang crooked, jam, or refuse to move.
The manual lock is engaged. Always worth a quick look before you assume the worst.
Common Reasons a Door Will Not Close
Blocked or misaligned safety sensors. Those small units near the floor stop the door from closing if they are dirty, bumped out of line, or blocked. This is the number-one reason a door reverses right before it shuts.
Something in the door's path. Even a small object or a bit of clutter can trip the safety system.
A limit setting that has drifted. The opener may think the door is already closed and refuse to move.
A worn or broken cable. A cable problem can stop the door in both directions.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
A few quick checks rule out the easy stuff before you call anyone:
Check the power. Make sure the opener is plugged in and the breaker has not tripped.
Swap the remote battery. A weak battery is the most common remote issue.
Clean and align the sensors. Wipe the lenses near the floor, make sure they face each other, and look for a steady indicator light.
Clear the path. Move anything sitting under or near the door.
Test the wall button. If the wall button works but the remote does not, it is a remote problem, not the door.
What to Leave to a Pro
If the problem is a spring, a cable, or a door off its track, stop there. These parts are under high tension and are a leading cause of injury. Do not force the door either, since forcing it can turn a small repair into an expensive one, or damage the opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door go up but not down?
Almost always the safety sensors. Clean the lenses and make sure they are aligned and unblocked. If that does not fix it, the sensors or wiring may need service.
Why won't my garage door open even though the motor runs?
The opener is working but something is stopping the door, most often a broken spring or a door off its track. Do not keep running the opener, since that can burn it out.
Is it safe to force my garage door open?
No. If a spring or cable has failed, forcing the door can cause it to drop or can injure you. Leave it and call for help.
Do you offer same-day service?
Yes, usually within 30 minutes of your call.
When to Call
If the simple checks do not fix it, we are ready to help. Canyon offers same-day garage door repair in Rio Rancho and across the metro, and we find the actual cause instead of guessing.
Call us at (575) 706-2946 and we will get your door working again today.