Garage door won't open or close

You press the button and nothing moves. Or the door starts down and then goes back up. Or the opener runs but the door stays where it is. The cause is often small, but not always.

Why it happens

A door that won't open is often a power or control problem: a tripped breaker, a dead remote battery, or the manual lock left engaged. A dirty safety sensor or an object in the track can also stop it. Sometimes the opener has come disconnected from the door.

A door that won't close is often a sensor problem. The sensors may be dirty, blocked or out of line. Or the opener's travel limits may be set so the door senses the floor as an obstruction and reverses.

Bigger causes include a broken torsion spring, snapped cables, or tracks that are out of line. The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) says a door that doesn't go up and down smoothly may have a spring system that is out of balance.

Things you can check safely

• Power: is the opener plugged in, and has the breaker tripped?
• Remote and keypad: try the wall button. If it works, replace the remote battery.
• Lock: make sure the door's manual lock isn't engaged.
• Sensors: wipe both lenses. A sensor light may flash, dim or go out when something blocks the beam.
• Tracks: look for objects in the side tracks and remove them.

What not to do

• Don't touch the springs, cables or the brackets at the bottom corners. They are under very high tension. DASMA says only a trained technician should work on them.
• Don't pull the red emergency release cord while the door is up. It can come crashing down.
• If you move the door by hand, use the handles. Never put your fingers between the door sections.

What the repair involves

A technician finds which part is at fault. It may be as simple as realigning a sensor or resetting the opener's travel limits. It may mean replacing a spring or cable, or fixing the track. The technician then checks that the door moves smoothly and is balanced.

If the door hangs crooked, you heard a loud bang, or the checks above don't help, call a provider. Say so if a car is stuck inside.

What happens when you call

1. You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
2. We connect your call to an independent garage door provider who serves your area.
3. You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.

Main Street Garage Door Repair doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.