Common Problems That Cause a Garage Door to Not Open

A garage door’s primary purpose is to protect the interior of the space from the elements and intruders. But it can only do those jobs if it works correctly. Here are some reasons why a garage door may not open correctly:

Tension springs breakdown

Garage doors tension springs are what make the door open and close smoothly. There are several types of spring systems, including extension springs and torsion springs.

Extension springs are positioned on the side of the garage door and attached to the track by several pulleys and cables. The power is provided by the extension springs, while the pully system does the lifting.

Torsion springs are above the garage door opening. This system has cables that go to the garage door’s bottom bracket. These cables wrap around the springs and coil or unwind when the garage door opens and closes. The reasons why the springs might break over time include the following:

• Rust: When rust develops on the tension springs, it increases friction.
• Wear and tear: Garage doors have an expiration date measured by cycles. When they’ve reached an approximate number of cycles, they stop working. In some cases, they snap abruptly while the door is in motion.
• Improper maintenance: Checking the state of the garage door springs several times a year is an excellent method to identify the end of their lifespan.

A professional will be able to evaluate the state of the garage door springs and replace them if necessary.

Remote control issues

One controls automatic garage doors with either a remote control or a wall-mounted panel. The remote signals the door opener motor to raise or lower the door. When a garage door doesn’t open, it may be because the remote is broken or disconnected from the engine. A garage door expert can determine if the remote needs reprogramming or replacement.

The track is not aligned properly

When the garage door opener activates, the cables move the door along the metal tracks while the strings control the speed. The tracks must be perfectly straight for the system to work correctly. When a door makes grinding noises or jerks around when opening and closing, it could indicate that the garage door has fallen off the track.

A garage door expert will be able to determine if that’s the reason for the door malfunction and will be able to set it back on the metal tracks.

Photo eye issues

The photo eye is a sensor that detects when a person or an object is in the path of the door. Several factors may cause the sensor to stop working:

• Dust and debris obscure the lens.
• The photo eye (an LED laser beam that signals the door to raise and lower) is out of alignment.
• Wiring issues in the form of damage caused by the weather, pests, or excessive use.
• Damaged sensors.

A garage door specialist will evaluate the estate of the photo eye sensor to determine which issue might be the malfunctioning cause.

Fix the garage door

A few issues can cause significant problems when opening or closing a garage door. When experiencing any concerns, it’s best to contact an experienced garage door professional to assess the situation and provide an optimal solution.