There’s nothing more frustrating than hitting the garage door button and it’s not moving. Whether you’re in a hurry or just trying to park your car, a garage door not opening can throw off your entire day.
The good news? Most garage door issues have simple explanations. Let’s go through the top reasons your garage door does not open and what you can do about it.
1. Blocked or Misaligned Photo Eye Sensors
Most automatic garage doors have photo eye sensors that prevent the door from closing if something is in the way. If the sensors aren’t aligned or dirt is blocking them, your garage door won’t open or close properly.
It’s a simple fix, though—simply check for any dirt or dust on the sensor lenses, clean them with a soft, lint-free cloth and make sure your sensors are aligned. If any of them are slightly off, the laser beam won’t connect properly. Lastly, look for objects blocking the sensors, like storage boxes or outdoor debris.
This is one of the most common reasons a garage door does not open, so once that’s all cleaned and cleared, your door should slide right up.
2. Door Tracks Are Misaligned
Your garage door runs on metal tracks, so if those tracks are bent, warped, or loose, your door might struggle to move or stop working altogether. If you’re facing this issue, you can loosen the screws or bolts, gently tap them back into place, and tighten everything. For severe damage, we recommend calling an emergency garage door repair service to realign or replace the tracks.
Garage door not opening, but unsure if it’s a track issue? Look for these signs:
- Your door moves unevenly or gets stuck.
- Grinding or scraping noises.
- Visible gaps between the rollers and the track.
3. Broken Springs
Your garage door is heavy, and the torsion or extension springs do most of the work to lift it. Over time, these springs wear out and might eventually snap, which means your garage door won’t open, even if the motor works fine.
How to tell if the springs are broken:
- You hear a loud bang (like a firecracker) when the door tries to open.
- The motor runs, but the door barely moves.
- The garage door feels much heavier when you try to lift it manually.
Keep in mind that the springs are under extreme tension, and attempting to replace them yourself can cause serious injury. It’s a professional’s job, so call an electric gate repair on the Sunshine Coast provider to get it sorted safely.
4. Defective Remote Control or Keypad
If your garage door is not opening, the issue might not be with the door at all but with your remote or keypad.
These are easy to fix with a quick battery replacement while ensuring you’re within range when pressing the button. If it’s still not working, check if your keypad is locked or needs reprogramming and inspect the antenna on the garage door opener—it should be visibly hanging from the motor and unobstructed.
Expert Tip: If your remote isn’t working but your wall switch is, that’s a clear sign that your remote needs reprogramming or replacing.
5. Motor or Power Supply Failing
One of the reasons a garage door does not open is because it’s not getting the proper power supply. Don’t rule out checking if the opener is plugged in—it might be obvious but it can happen! A power outage or tripped breaker can also cut power to the opener or if your garage door opener has a backup battery, it might need replacing.
Hear a hum, but your door still isn’t moving? The issue might be a broken gear inside the opener, nothing a quick call to your local technician can’t fix.
6. The Emergency Release Has Been Pulled
Every garage door opener has an emergency release cord (usually a red rope hanging from the opener), and if it has been pulled accidentally, the motor won’t engage. This means you’ll have to lift the door manually until the next reset.
7. Weather-Related Issues
Sometimes extreme weather, from scorching heat to freezing cold, can affect your garage door’s operation. Chilly days can cause metal parts to contract, making movement sluggish, while heat and humidity can warp wooden doors, making them stick or misalign. Rain or moisture can also cause rust or electrical issues.
For these issues, applying a silicone-based lubricant to moving parts can help reduce friction in extreme temperatures—but make sure you’re applying it to the right spot!
8. Worn or Snapped Cables
The mechanics of garage doors involve cables, which can fray or snap over time, leaving your door stuck and unmoving. Any loose or hanging cables on either side of the door must also be addressed immediately—as a safety precaution. If your door lifts unevenly, gets stuck halfway or feels off-balance when moving manually, it’s due for maintenance.
9. Your Electric Gate Needs Repairs
If your garage door is part of a larger automated gate system, the problem might not be the garage door itself but the entire system. Get an expert to inspect both your garage door opener and the gate motor to find the exact issue.
10. Incorrect Limit Settings
Garage door openers have limit settings that tell the motor how far to move the door. If the settings are off, the door may not open all the way or reverse before fully closing. To fix this, locate the limit adjustment screws on the opener motor, then turn the “up” limit screw slightly to allow the door to open fully. Test your door and make tweaks as you go to find the perfect setting.
Call in Your Garage Door Experts
A garage door not opening can be frustrating, but many problems have simple fixes. If you’ve checked the basics and your garage door still won’t move, give us a call! We’re the experts on all things garage doors on the Sunshine Coast and are always ready to help.To reset your release, close your garage door completely and pull the cord toward the door until you hear a click. Then, press the open button to re-engage the motor; your system should reconnect and get your door moving again.
