A garage door not closing is a common issue that many homeowners experience. The issue requires immediate attention to prevent uninvited guests — human or animal — from invading your personal space. An open door can also expose your garage’s contents to weather damage. 

6 Reasons Your Door Won’t Close

There are many potential reasons a garage door that won’t close on command, but these are the six most common:

1. Malfunctioning Auto-Reverse Mechanism

Is your garage door not closing fully? Does it stop suddenly and begin to move upward? It could be a problem with the auto-reverse mechanism, a safety feature designed to keep the door from falling on a person or object. This could result from blocked, dirty, damaged or misaligned photo eye sensors, which are located on either side of the opening near the bottom. When aligned correctly, a light on each photo eye will be lit up solid and not flicker, one green and the other yellow.

2. Transmission Problems

An automatic garage door not closing can also signal a transmission issue. Your door operates when you push a button on the remote control unit that sends a signal to the opener. If your door doesn’t close on command, the cause could be something simple like a dead remote battery, which you can remedy with a quick replacement. If this doesn’t solve the problem, there could be a transmitter malfunction in the opener.

3. Enabled Disconnect Switch

Most door systems have a switch/locking mechanism that disconnects the opener so you can operate the door manually during a power outage. This is done by pulling down on the rope attached to your unit. If you don’t remember to reconnect the switch/locking mechanism after the power returns, you won’t be able to close the door with the opener until you do so. 

4. Track Damage

If the tracks, which are the stationary lanes on either side of the opening that enables the door to move, are bent, warped or misaligned, the door may get stuck and you won’t be able to close it.

5. Spring Malfunctions

The torsion or extension springs play a vital role when opening and closing it. As the springs age, they lose the tension they require to allow your door to function correctly. If your door doesn’t close, it could mean that the springs have reached the end of their life span and need replacing. 

6 Cables

Garage door cables work with the springs to counterbalance the door’s weight and ensure a smooth opening and closing process. If a cable breaks or winds itself around the shaft it can stop the door from opening or closing. 

Contact Stouffville Garage Doors for Garage Door Service and Repair

Is your garage door not closing correctly or experiencing any other mechanical or performance issues? Stouffville Garage Doors has the experience and expertise to diagnose and repair the issue quickly and efficiently. Contact us for more information or to schedule a convenient service appointment today.