If you have a garage door that will not close or is not closing all the way, many factors could be causing the issue. Sometimes, these factors are simple problems that you can swiftly and smoothly fix. Other times they are more complex issues that require intensive labor, repair parts and expert knowledge about garage door repair.
Misaligned Tracks
One of the most common reasons a garage door is not closing is because of misaligned tracks. The tracks are two rails that run parallel to each other and to the garage door. The garage door itself runs vertically up and down these tracks when opening and closing.If the tracks are not exactly parallel with each other, then your garage door will have issues properly closing.
The only way to fix this issue is to identify where the tracks are not parallel. Once it is determined why and where the tracks are no longer parallel, it will require restoring the tracks to the appropriate position. The tracks may be beyond restoration and could need replacing entirely.
Damaged Tracks
Similar to misaligned tracks, damaged tracks can also keep your garage door from closing. Track damage is typical with heavy-duty garage doors. Over time, the wear and tear from opening and closing heavy garage doors takes its toll on the tracks resulting in debilitating bends, blockages and warping of the rail.
Long-term use may result in physical obstructions whose removal allows the garage door to shut completely. Like with misaligned tracks, the only way to fix track damage is to identify where the track is faulty. Repairs may be possible, but depending on the extent of the damage, replacing the track may be the only option. Not addressing track damage will only worsen the situation and potentially become a danger to you and your loved ones.
Smudged Sensor
Garage door sensors are one of the most vital components of your garage door system. These sensors are small beam emitters, typically mounted close to the ground on either side of your garage door. These sensors shoot an invisible beam of light across the opening of your garage door. A dirty sensor may be keeping your garage door from closing. When something disrupts the light beam from these sensors, they send a signal to the receiver that prevents the garage door from closing.
Take a rag or cloth and wipe off any dust or particulate buildup on the lens of your sensors. Once both lenses are completely clear of debris, your garage door should close. If it is not closing, the safety in the sensor may be faulty, or it could be an issue with another component of your garage door system, in which case our team can help find an appropriate solution.
Malfunctioning Safety Sensor
After clearing your sensor lenses of dirt and your garage door is still not closing, the issue may be that your sensors have stopped receiving power. Usually, there is a green light on both sensors that indicate they are receiving power. If the light is off on both sensors, then they are not fully powered. Loss of electricity may happen if a power cable gets unplugged, a fuse blows, or a power outage occurs.
If the sensors are fully powered, then they may be misaligned. The misaligned sensors will not display a green light, similar to a power loss. If the light is not green, readjust the sensors until they are perfectly aligned and the light turns green.
Depleted Remote Control Battery
If your garage door is not closing, the issue may be with your garage door remote control. If your garage door is not responding to your remote control, try your wall switch or control panel. If your garage door closes when you use the wall switch, the issue is most likely a dead battery in your garage door remote. Replace the dead battery with a fresh one and try your remote again. If the problem persists, but you can still close your garage door with your wall switch, then your garage door opener may need to be reprogrammed or replaced entirely.
Faulty Garage Door Remotes
Garage door openers have a relatively small effective range. After replacing your remote battery with a fresh one and syncing it with your system, make sure you are using it within a distance that should work. If you are in the appropriate range of the system and it is still not closing, the issue may be the antenna on the receiver. The antenna is on the opener itself. Make sure your opener is clear of debris and anything else that may impede the signal. If you find that the signal range of your remote is lacking, use an extension kit to boost the effective range of your remote.
If you are on the same frequency as the opener of a neighbor, then their receiver may be interrupting your signal. Alleviate this by altering the transmission frequency of your remote if you are having issues with your remote.
Adjusting Limit Switches
Invalid limit settings may be the reason your garage door is not closing. The limit switches determine how far your garage door needs to move to close or open entirely. Incorrect limit settings are the common cause of garage doors closing all the way but reopening or not closing completely.
Limit settings that are too high trigger a faulty reading and cause the door to reopen because the receiver believes the door has hit an obstacle. Adjusting these settings to the correct level could get your door to close all the way, but the adjustment process is tricky. Extreme adjustments may cause your garage door to crash down, causing damage. It’s highly recommended for your safety that this be performed by a trusted, experienced garage door technician.
Active Disconnect Switch
An activated disconnect switch may be keeping your garage door from closing. If your opener motor runs without the door closing, then your disconnect switch is probably enabled. The disconnect switch connects to the typically bright red emergency cord. The disconnect could have been pulled accidentally or not disabled after the last time in use.
Disabling your disconnect switch is a relatively simple process, but it must be done correctly; otherwise, it could be dangerous. Our technicians can safely manually lower your garage door to the down position to do this. Your garage door must be in the down position. If you leave your garage door open when deactivating the safety switch, your garage door may slam down. If your garage door is stuck open, contact us for assistance. Do not attempt to brute force the door down. Forcing the door shut could cause majorly expensive damage.
Once your garage door is in the down position, we can pull the emergency cord towards the door until the spring lever extends and slide the door manually until it attaches to the trolley. We can also use your garage door remote to automatically reattach your garage door to the trolley. When the door reattaches, you should hear an audible click, and your garage door will be moving along the tracks as usual.
Your Local Garage Door Experts
Garage Door Doctor is the most accomplished garage door installation and repair specialist in the Indianapolis and Bloomington metro areas. We have the experience, knowledge and skills to get your garage door back on track. Give us a call today or contact us online for all of your garage door service needs!
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