You're already late, you hit the remote, and the garage door starts down — then reverses and sits there half-open. A door that won't close is one of the most common calls in the trade, and the good news is that a homeowner can safely diagnose most causes in a few minutes.
Start with the safety sensors
Since the early 1990s, federal safety rules have required garage-door openers to have photo-eye sensors near the floor — a safeguard the Consumer Product Safety Commission credits with preventing serious injuries. If your door reverses or won't close, the sensors are the #1 suspect:
- Wipe the lenses — dust and spiderwebs block the beam.
- Check alignment: both LEDs should be solid, not blinking.
- Look for anything crossing the beam near the floor.
Then check the simple stuff
- Remote batteries and the wall-button lock feature.
- The travel limit setting — if it thinks the floor is lower than it is, it reverses.
- The tracks — a bent track or an obstruction stops the door.
What to leave to a professional
Never touch the springs or cables. A garage door's torsion spring stores enormous energy and can cause severe injury if it releases. Broken springs, frayed cables, and off-track doors are pro-only repairs.
When to call for service
If the sensors are clean and aligned but the door still won't close — or you hear a loud bang and the door won't move — compare local garage door companies or get quotes from the best-rated pros. An insulated replacement door can also cut energy loss on an attached garage; see the Department of Energy's Energy Saver guidance, and our guide to lowering your energy bills. First time hiring a garage-door pro? Start with our contractor hiring checklist.