Problem guides
Garage Door Problems
Start with what your garage door is doing. Each guide answers the symptom first, lists safe checks, explains likely causes and shows when to stop and book a technician.
Door movement and reversal
- Garage Door Closes Then Opens AgainThe most common cause is the photo-eye safety sensors: dirty lenses, a bumped bracket or sunlight shining into the receiver.
- Garage Door Reverses Before Touching the FloorWhen a door reverses right at the bottom, the opener may think it has hit an obstruction.
- Garage Door Opens by ItselfStart by checking for a stuck remote button, a remote rolling around in a car or bag, and a wall button that sticks.
- Garage Door Stops HalfwayIf the door stops at the same spot every time, look for a track problem or binding roller there.
- Garage Door Only Opens a Few InchesLook above the door for a gap in the torsion spring or at the sides for a broken extension spring.
- Garage Door Won't Stay ClosedIf the door reverses as soon as it closes, check the sensors and close limit.
- Garage Door Opens but Won't CloseCheck that nothing blocks the sensor beam, clean the lenses and confirm both sensor lights are steady.
Remotes, keypads and controls
- Garage Door Remote Works SometimesReplace the remote battery first.
- Wall Button Works but Remote Does NotCheck whether the wall control has a lock or vacation mode turned on, which disables remotes.
- Garage Door Keypad Not RespondingReplace the keypad battery, then try your code again slowly.
- Garage Door Opener Light Keeps FlashingCheck the safety sensors first, since a blocked or misaligned beam is the usual cause.
- Garage Door Sensor Lights BlinkingClean both lenses, remove anything in the beam and gently realign the sensors until both lights are steady.
- Garage Door Won't Open in a Power OutageWith the door closed, pull the red manual release cord to disconnect the trolley.
Springs, cables and balance
- Garage Door Spring Looks BrokenDo not touch the spring, do not use the opener and keep the door closed if possible.
- Garage Door Cable Hanging LooseKeep the door still, unplug the opener and avoid touching the cable.
- Garage Door Feels Heavy to LiftA heavy door usually means a broken or weakened spring.
- Garage Door Slams ShutThe most common cause is a broken or weakened spring, or a cable problem.
- Garage Door Is Uneven on One SideCheck from a distance for a loose cable, a broken spring or a door that is twisted in the opening.
Noise, vibration and hardware
- Garage Door Makes a Popping SoundListen for where the pop comes from.
- Garage Door Shakes While OpeningWatch the door from inside as it opens.
- Garage Door Is Very Loud at NightA tune-up with lubrication and tightening often helps.
- Garage Door Track Looks BentLook at the track from a safe distance and note where the bend is.
Weather and sealing
- Garage Door Has a Gap at the BottomCheck the bottom seal for cracks or flattening and see whether the gap is even across the door.
- Garage Door Lets Water InCheck the bottom seal for cracks, flattening or gaps and see where the water enters.
- Garage Door Won't Close After RainDry and clean the sensor lenses and check whether water or condensation is inside them.
Found your problem?
Call to book a technician who can diagnose and repair the door on site.