Leaving for work this morning, you click the remote to open your garage door and nothing happens. Then you try one more time, but the door still refuses to operate. Most of the time, when your garage door won’t open, the solution is a simple hardware adjustment or part replacement. When your garage door is stuck, note any unusual sounds or odd garage door behavior and inspect the possible causes to prevent any additional damage to your system or potential safety hazards.
How to Fix Garage Doors That Won’t Open
Most garage doors are used multiple times every day as a convenient entry to our homes, so it’s common to experience garage door malfunctions or minor wear and tear. The following are common garage door problems and how you can fix them:
- Malfunctioning Garage Door Opener Remote: When you press the remote or wall-mounted door control and nothing happens, there’s likely a problem with the power or the remote battery — check that there’s no power outage in your neighborhood, that your opener is plugged in, and that the remote battery is fresh. If these issues aren’t the cause, try reprogramming your remote to the opener and check that the machine’s antenna hasn’t been damaged. Otherwise, the garage door opener motor may be damaged and the unit may need replacement.
- Garage Door Not Opening All the Way: If the garage door stops short of opening entirely, then the up-limit switch may need to be adjusted or the rollers are corroded and damaged and need replacement. The up-limit switch is a repair that typically occurs immediately after a new opener has been installed. If the limit isn’t set correctly, it will prompt the door to stop opening too early.
- Opener Motor Runs but Door Stays Closed: If you click your opener remote and the machine runs but the door stays closed, then either your red emergency disconnect switch was enabled — detaching the door from the opener — or the garage door was accidentally locked with the manual locking switch.
- Garage Door Is Stuck or Won’t Open: Garage doors that suddenly won’t open likely have a broken spring. If you’re at home when the torsion or extension spring breaks, you’ll hear a loud “bang” like a firework. With a broken garage door spring system, your opener won’t be able to lift the door and you’ll need to call a professional to inspect the door and perform a spring replacement.
Is Your Garage Door Stuck? Contact The TF Draper Company Today
When your garage door won’t open, contact the skilled and experienced technicians at The TF Draper Company to help you troubleshoot your garage door and quickly identify the issue. We’re a family-owned company with over 40 years of experience working with homeowners throughout the Greater Portland area, specializing in comprehensive garage door repairs and personalized solutions to ensure your garage door operates smoothly and efficiently for years to come.
Schedule garage door repair services today by calling 503-357-1103 to speak to a team member or complete our online contact form to request a free service estimate.