If your garage door is stuck open, it can be a huge hassle. However, the good news is that it is also very fixable with some simple troubleshooting techniques.
Start by checking if there are any obstructions in the way of the door. Look for objects or debris that might be blocking the sensors on both sides of the garage.
Learn maintenance techniques and proactive measures to ensure your garage door operates smoothly and lasts longer. Team Garage Doors offers expert advice.
1. Rollers Are Disconnected from the Track
If you have done this and the problem persists, it may be a hardware issue. Fortunately, this is one of the easier problems to fix.
A common reason a garage door becomes stuck is that its rollers are disconnected from the track. This is often caused by dirt or lack of lubrication. Luckily, you can easily remedy this problem by simply realigning the rollers carefully.
To do this, pull the bottom section of the track toward the inside of the garage and bend it, as shown in the image above. Then, place the roller in its proper location and lubricate it. After reattaching the roller, make sure you are not blocking its path by testing the door up and down. If you still can’t get the door to move, call a professional.
2. The Door Is Out of Alignment
The garage door is the largest moving object in your home and is responsible for letting you in and out of your house every day. It’s important to keep it well-maintained and operating smoothly, but a garage door that is out of alignment can be dangerous to anyone who uses it.
The door has internal settings that determine how far it can go up and down (travel limits) and how much force it will need to move that distance (force limits). If any of these settings are disrupted, the garage door may stop working correctly and become stuck halfway through its path.
To fix this issue, first make sure nothing is blocking the sensors. If you notice that a sensor is misaligned, simply tighten the wing nuts holding them in place and use a cloth to clean off any dirt or debris that might be in the way of the infrared beams. If these checks don’t solve the problem, call a garage door service to realign the sensors.
3. The Power Supply Is Faulty
A garage door is a large electromechanical device that relies on electricity to operate. If the power fails in some way, the door can be stuck halfway through its path. If you’re in a rush to get somewhere, it can be quite frustrating to find that your garage door is hard to open.
Often, the problem is as simple as replacing the batteries in your remote or the transmitter in the opener. RF interference from other devices may also be the culprit. You can test this by holding your remote next to the opener to see if it activates.
Photo eyes are a vital part of your garage door system, but they can malfunction if the alignment is off or if dirt covers them. You can correct this by re-aligning them or cleaning them.
You can also reset the sensitivity of your photo eyes by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If the problem persists, you can try yanking on the red emergency disconnect cord at the opener motor to release it.
4. The Tracks Are Jammed
Garage doors have rollers on either side that permit them to glide along tracks when the door opens and closes. If a roller becomes dislodged from the track, the door will get stuck.
Obstructions on the tracks can be anything from small stones, plant debris and misplaced toys to bent or warped rails. They can also happen as a result of misalignment over time.
A lack of lubrication on the tracks and rollers is another common cause of a garage door that won’t open or close. Lubricate both of these parts with a commercial lubricant and make sure to wipe away any excess lubricant.
It is not uncommon for Loveland homeowners to experience the frustration of a stubborn garage door, but many can resolve this problem on their own without calling professional technicians.
Follow these four simple tips and you’ll be able to open your garage door and head to work in no time. Good luck!