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Why Your Garage Door Isn’t Closing Properly: Can you DIY, or do you need a Professional?

  • Writer: Home and Door
    Home and Door
  • Jun 30
  • 2 min read

A garage door that won’t close is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a security risk, a potential safety hazard, and a common issue faced by homeowners. From misaligned sensors to worn-out springs, there are several reasons your garage door might not be operating as it should. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved quickly with the right know-how or help from a professional.


1. Sensor Obstructions or Misalignment

Garage doors are equipped with photo-eye sensors that detect objects in the door’s path. If these sensors are blocked by dirt, debris, or even a spiderweb, the door won’t close. Make sure the lenses are clean and aligned properly. Both sensors should point directly at each other, and a green or red light usually indicates alignment.


Fix: Gently clean the sensor lenses and adjust their position so they’re facing one another. If the lights come on solid, they’re aligned correctly.


2. Broken or Stretched Tension Springs

Torsion or extension springs help lift and lower the garage door smoothly. If one of these breaks or loses tension, the door may become uneven or fail to close entirely. Springs have a lifespan and will eventually wear out, especially in climates with fluctuating temperatures like Southeast Michigan.


Fix: This is not a DIY job. Contact a professional technician to replace or adjust the springs safely.


3. Tracks Are Bent or Blocked

Your garage door moves along metal tracks on either side. If those tracks are dented, rusted, or blocked by debris, your door could jam while closing.


Fix: Inspect the tracks and remove any obstructions. If they’re bent or damaged, you may need to have them repaired or replaced by a garage door specialist.


4. Limit Settings Need Adjustment

Garage door openers have limit settings that control how far the door travels when opening or closing. If these settings are off, the opener might mistakenly think the door has already hit the floor and reverse it.


Fix: Consult your garage door opener manual to learn how to adjust the close-limit screw. Making small adjustments can usually solve the problem.


5. Remote or Wall Switch Malfunctions

Sometimes the issue isn’t with the door itself but the remote or wall-mounted opener. Batteries may be dead, the signal might be weak, or the wall switch wiring could be faulty.


Fix: Replace the batteries in your remote, test the wall button, and make sure you’re within range. If nothing works, you may need a new remote or switch.


6. Power Source Problems

If the garage door opener isn’t receiving power, it won’t function at all. This could be due to a tripped breaker, a loose plug, or a faulty outlet.


Fix: Check the power supply, inspect the plug, and reset the circuit breaker. If none of these fix the issue, contact an electrician or garage door technician.


When to Call a Professional

If you’ve ruled out basic issues like sensors or remotes and your garage door still won’t close, it’s time to contact a licensed professional. At Home & Door, we’ve been helping Southeast Michigan homeowners with fast, reliable garage door repair and installation for over 30 years. From emergency service to full replacements, our expert technicians are here to help.


Call us today or visit our website for a free quote! 

Call 248.399.9900

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