A garage door that won’t open is frustrating and inconvenient! And, if you don’t know the reason why it keeps getting stuck, you won’t be able to fix it or know when to call the professionals for help. Homeowners who are facing this issue can do an inspection to start troubleshooting the problem.
You may not expect such a problem soon after a garage door installation. Still, any amount of general wear and tear can prevent a garage door from performing optimally. Regular maintenance is important to prevent opening and closing problems but sooner or later you may come across one of the following issues.
4 Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open and How to Fix It
1. Photo Eye Obstruction or Misalignment
Garage doors come with photo eyes that act as a safety sensor. Their function is to pick up anyone or anything standing in the way of the door and prevent it from closing on the object. If the photo eye becomes misaligned, it will stop the garage door from opening or closing properly.
Look out for the following that could cause the photo eyes to stop functioning:
- Obstruction: If something is obstructing the laser beam between the photo eyes on either side of the door, it won’t open. The same applies if there’s any dirt on the actual sensor. Remove the object or dirt and test the door to see if it opens smoothly.
- Misalignment: The photo eyes are aligned to receive the laser beam from either side. If one sensor is misaligned because of wear and tear or physical damage, it won’t be able to receive the laser beam from the other photo eye. If this is the problem, use a level to place both photo eyes in the right position or call a garage door expert to assist.
2. Garage Door Track is Misaligned or Dirty
The metal tracks on either side of the garage door ensure it opens and closes smoothly when activated. It’s essential that these tracks are straight and clean at all times. When a garage door becomes bent for whatever reason, it can cause the tracks to become crooked as well. The door will eventually stop opening properly.
Tip to prevent problems of this kind: be gentle when opening and closing the garage door and never force it.
Another reason the garage door doesn’t open smoothly is dirt, grease or other obstacles in the tracks. Make sure the tracks are cleaned regularly and repair any misalignments as soon as possible. Signs of misalignment or dirty tracks include grating noises when your garage door opens. By performing regular inspections of the tracks, you can also stop bigger issues from occurring.
3. Damaged Tension Springs
The smooth movement of your garage door is controlled by tension strings. Over time, these will weaken through general wear and tear. Rust is another culprit, and excessive or improper use of the garage doors can also shorten the lifespan of the tension strings.
Do the following to prevent damaged or broken tension springs stopping your garage door from opening:
- Expiration date: Tension strings have a number of cycles and when they’ve been used up, they expire and stop working. Being aware of this fact can help you plan ahead and budget for replacing tension strings when their lifespan ends.
- Rust prevention: Spray the tension springs every couple of months to prevent the development of rust on the coils. A silicone-based lubricant is the best product to use in this case.
Regular inspections of the tension springs will alert you of any signs of weakness developing. If this is happening, it’s time to replace them before they break completely.
4. Remote Control or Panel Problems
An automatic garage door can be operated from a panel or remote control. If either are damaged or the battery has gone flat in the remote control, your garage door won’t receive a signal to open. Do the following to double-check if the remote control is the problem:
- Range: Stand close to the garage door and use the remote. It’s possible your remote sensor was out of range if you were too far away from the door.
- Antenna: Check the antenna isn’t broken as this could be the reason the signal isn’t being transmitted.
- Reprogram remote controls: Try reprogramming the remote control especially if you had to rewire the garage door control system.
Final Thoughts
The age of your garage door could be another reason it’s not opening properly anymore. If this is your problem and you need to install a new one, give us a call at Dandenong Garage Doors on 03 9791 4933 and speak to our sales experts. We’ll gladly assist you in finding the right garage door for your home.
