Due to their frequent use and exposure to the natural elements, garage doors typically see more than their fair share of wear and tear. As a result, garage doors are often at higher risk of breaking down if not routinely maintained.
If your garage door has stopped working, it can be helpful to understand the cause of the problem to ensure you know what steps to take.
In our informative guide, we detail several reasons a garage door won’t open or shut alongside the best course of action for resolving the issue.
Malfunctioning Remote
Automated garage doors typically rely on their remotes to fully function, and without them, are useless. If your garage door is not working and there are no obvious indicators as to why, the best first step is to check the remote.
A malfunctioning remote can often be due to several reasons, including it needing reprogramming, a dead battery, a damaged antenna, or simply being out of range – most of which can be resolved without the need of a technician.
Track Not Aligned
One of the main reasons a garage door won’t open or shut is often due to the door coming off the track and no longer being aligned. A misaligned track is easy to diagnose as the garage door no longer shuts and opens in one single smooth process.
To fix the issue, the screws which hold the track to the frame require loosening to allow the garage door track to be realigned. Once in place, retighten the screws to secure the garage door.
Broken Tension Springs
Tension springs work to a certain number of cycles, and when they reach the end of their lifespan become vulnerable to breaking. Thankfully, a broken tension spring is easy to recognise due to the loud noise it makes when it finally breaks.
If your garage door won’t open due to a broken tension spring, we highly recommended you contact a professional to investigate the issue. A broken tension spring may cause the heavy garage door to unexpectedly drop – which could result in you injuring yourself or costly damage to your door or vehicle.
Blocked Photo Eye
The majority of modern garage doors feature a photo eye which helps to detect whether something is blocking the door from closing via a laser which passes along just off the ground.
However, if your garage door won’t shut, then this may be the result of your photo eye being blocked and not picking up the obstruction.
An inoperative photo eye may be due to clogged dirt or dust, while a damage to the cord may also affect how the system functions. If a quick clean of the photo eye does not resolve the issue, you may need to contact a technician to either repair or replace your system.
Broken Power Source
It is an easy mistake to make but unplugging the power supply of your automatic garage door and not plugging it back in afterwards, is a common reason why a garage door won’t shut.
Unfortunately, restoring the power source is not always as simply as plugging it back in, and there may be another issue with your garage door. If your garage door’s power source stops working, the first thing to check is whether there is an issue with the outlet by plugging in another electronic device. If the electric device works, it is very likely a problem with your garage door, and you will need to contact a garage door repair specialist to come out and resolve it.
Snapped Cables
Whether because of a broken tension spring or simply due to becoming disengaged, snapped cables can be very dangerous. Garage door cables are designed to support the weight of the door, and if they snap, the entire wright of the door can come crashing down, resulting in injury and damage.
If a cable has snapped, contact a professional technician to examine the issue without delay.
Unseen Obstacles
While your garage door’s photo eye may be able to detect objects within its field of vision along ground level, it will not always pick up items that may cause a blockage elsewhere.
Most automatic garage doors that come across something blocking its path will automatically reverse to avoid damage or injury. If your garage door is not opening or closing fully, it may be the result of a rock, rubbish, or other debris stuck somewhere within the system. Once any blockages are located and removed, give the area a quick clean to ensure all traces are gone.
Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Work: Final Thoughts
We hope our guide has provided you with several tips for helping you to understand why your garage door is not working and the steps you can take to resolve it. At PBH Garage Doors, our experienced technicians are available to diagnose a number of reasons a garage door won’t open or shut. So, if you have an issue, get in touch with our team today.
