I get calls every week that go like this: the garage door opens fine but won't close. The opener runs, the door starts to go down, and then it reverses back up. Or it just won't move at all when you try to close it.
Here is what I do: I walk them through the fix over the phone. For free. No service call, no charge.
I know that sounds like bad business. But here is my thinking -- if I can solve your problem in 5 minutes over the phone, you are going to remember that. You are going to tell your neighbor. And when something actually breaks that needs a technician, you are going to call me first.
The Fix That Works 90% of the Time
When a garage door won't close, the problem is almost always the safety sensors. Every garage door has two small sensors near the floor on each side of the door -- one sends an invisible beam, the other receives it. If anything interrupts that beam, the door won't close. It is a safety feature.
Here is what to check:
- Look at the sensor lights. Each sensor has a small LED. One should be green (the receiver) and one should be amber or red (the sender). If either light is off or blinking, the sensors are misaligned or blocked.
- Check for obstructions. A broom, a box, a kid's toy, even a spider web between the sensors can break the beam. Clear the path completely.
- Wipe the sensor lenses. Dust and grime on the lens can scatter the beam enough to trigger the safety system. A dry cloth takes 10 seconds.
- Gently adjust the sensor angle. If the lights are still off after cleaning, nudge the sensor slightly until both lights go solid. They need to be pointed directly at each other.
That is it. Most of the time, one of those four steps fixes it immediately.
When It Is Not the Sensors
If you have done all of the above and the door still won't close, the next most common causes are:
- The limit settings on the opener need adjustment (the opener thinks the door is already closed)
- A broken spring (the door feels very heavy when you try to lift it manually)
- A logic board issue on an older opener
At that point, it is time to call a technician. But try the sensor fix first -- it costs nothing and works most of the time.
Call Me First
If your garage door won't close and you are not sure what is going on, call me at 469-238-1831 before you call anyone else. I will walk you through the diagnosis over the phone. If it is something you can fix yourself, I will tell you exactly how. If it needs a technician, I will come out same-day.
I serve Garland, Rowlett, Sachse, Murphy, Rockwall, and surrounding areas. No trip charge when you book a repair.