It’s late, you’re tired, and you just want to park your car and head inside. But instead of the reassuring hum of your garage door closing, it jerks, stalls, or worse — refuses to move. Frustrating, right? A garage door that won’t close isn’t just a hassle. It can leave your home and belongings vulnerable.

What could be causing it? And more importantly, how do you fix it?

If you’re wondering what to do when your garage door won’t close, Lee Company has 80 years of experience serving the Southeast. We offer expert garage door services to address these issues quickly and safely. This guide will explore common problems, DIY solutions, and when it’s time to call in the pros.

Reasons Your Garage Door Isn’t Closing

A garage door that won’t close can quickly turn from an inconvenience into a source of stress. Is it something simple, or a bigger issue? The good news is most problems fall into a handful of common categories.

Here are some of the most common reasons a garage door won’t close:

• Obstruction in the Door’s Path: Garage door sensors are extremely sensitive and designed to detect even small objects. Leaves, dust, or debris near the sensor’s line of sight can prevent the door from closing. Larger obstructions, like a box or a bike, are more obvious but just as disruptive.
• Misaligned Sensors: Your garage door’s sensors must align perfectly to communicate. If one gets bumped — whether by a car, a lawnmower, or even during routine cleaning — it can break the signal, stopping the door from closing. Misalignment can often be spotted by a blinking light on the sensor.
• Damaged Tracks: The tracks that guide your garage door play a key role in its smooth operation. If bent, dented, or clogged with grime, the door can struggle or fail to close entirely. You may hear grinding or notice uneven door movement when the tracks are the issue.
• Broken Springs or Cables: These components carry most of your garage door’s weight during operation. If a spring snaps or a cable frays, the door may stay stuck in place or move erratically, making it impossible to close.
• Opener Issues: A malfunctioning remote, keypad, or wall control can interfere with the signals needed to close the door. Dead batteries, outdated software, or wiring issues might be to blame. Even something as simple as being too far from the opener could be causing the problem.
• Weather-Related Problems: In the Southeast, humidity, extreme heat, and even sudden temperature drops can affect your garage door’s performance. Swelling or contracting materials can lead to alignment issues, while moisture can interfere with electrical components or cause parts to stick.

How to Fix a Garage Door That Won’t Close

Now that you know the most common reasons why your garage door won’t close, it’s time to tackle the fixes. Fortunately, many of these problems can be resolved quickly with some troubleshooting.

Follow these steps before considering a call to the pros.

1. Check for Obstructions

Clearing obstructions is one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Even the smallest object can disrupt your garage door’s operation, thanks to the sensitivity of its safety sensors.

• What to Look For: Carefully inspect the area around the base of the door and along its tracks. Even a stray leaf, cobweb, or bit of debris could be causing the issue.
• Sensor Check: Examine the sensors at the bottom of the door frame. These small devices are designed to stop the door if something is detected in their path. Dirt or grime covering the lenses can also mimic an obstruction.
• How to Clear It: Remove any visible objects and wipe the sensors with a clean, damp cloth. Be gentle to avoid misaligning them.

Obstructions are one of the easiest issues to fix, and this small step usually solves the problem entirely.

2. Align the Sensors

If your garage door’s sensors aren’t aligned, the system can’t “see” that the path is clear.

• What to Look For: Check the small LED lights on each sensor. If they’re blinking or not lit at all, it’s a sign that they’re misaligned.
• How to Adjust Them:
  • Gently loosen the mounting screws holding each sensor in place.
  • Adjust the sensors so they face each other directly. Use the indicator lights as a guide — when they’re steady, the alignment is correct.
  • Tighten the screws once the sensors are correctly aligned.

This fix takes a little patience, but it’s straightforward and can get the door gliding in no time.

3. Inspect the Tracks

The tracks that guide your garage door aren’t subtle when they’re the issue — you might even hear grinding or notice the door wobbling.

• What to Look For: Inspect the tracks on both sides of the door for dents, debris, or sections of the track that don’t line up. You might need a flashlight to spot hidden obstructions or damage.
• How to Address Issues:
  • Use a rag to wipe away dust or dirt.
  • For minor dents, gently straighten the track using a rubber mallet.
  • If the damage is severe, it’s best to call in a professional (like the experts at Lee Company!).

Keeping tracks clean and in good condition fixes immediate problems and prevents future ones.

4. Test the Technology

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the door — it’s the technology. Your remote, keypad, or wall control could be to blame. If your opener isn’t responding, the problem could be as simple as dead batteries or as complicated as a programming glitch.

• What to Look For: Test the remote and wall keypad to see if they send a signal. If neither works, the issue might be with the opener itself.
• How to Fix It:
  • Replace the batteries in the remote. This is often the quickest solution.
  • Reprogram the remote or keypad using your garage door opener’s manual. Check your manual to locate the “learn” button (possibly under the lightbulb cover of the opener motor), and reset the connection.
  • Check the opener’s antenna for damage or misalignment. A bent or broken antenna can block signals.

A quick test can often save you from unnecessary frustration and get your garage door back on track, so to speak.

By following these steps, you’re solving most garage door problems yourself. But while some issues give you that satisfying “fixed it myself” moment, there’s a line between DIY pride and wrestling with a problem that’s out of your depth.

No one needs a door that slams shut unpredictably or a repair that only holds for a week. Don’t sweat it if things still aren’t working after these fixes. You’ve done your part. Now let the experts handle the rest.

How to Close or Open a Garage Door Manually

When your garage door won’t close or open, and you’re out of options, it’s time to go manual. Whether you need to get your car out or secure your home for the night, knowing how to handle your garage door by hand is a skill worth having. But let’s be clear — this isn’t a permanent fix. It’s a temporary workaround until the underlying issue gets resolved.

How to Open a Garage Door Manually

1. Locate the Emergency Release Cord: Search for a red handle hanging down from the track near your garage door opener.
2. Disengage the Opener: Firmly pull the cord to disengage the opener mechanism, freeing the door for manual operation.
3. Lift the Door: Grab the bottom of the garage door with both hands and pull it upward. Garage doors are heavy, so don’t rush it. If the springs are in good shape, the door should stay open on its own.
4. Secure the Door: Once open, make sure it stays in place. Some doors may slide back down if the springs are weak. Use a clamp or prop to keep it open if needed, but only if it’s safe to do so. Make sure kids and pets stay away from a garage door that’s being propped open.

How to Manually Close Your Garage Door

1. Pull the Emergency Release Cord: Just like when opening, this disconnects the door from the opener so you can move it manually.
2. Lower the Door: Carefully pull the door down. Keep your hands steady, and never let the door drop — it’s heavy, and you don’t want to risk injury or damage.
3. Secure the Door: Use the manual locking mechanism built into the door, or improvise with a heavy object to block it from being pushed open.

If your door won’t budge — whether it’s stuck open or closed — don’t force it. Garage doors are heavy and under intense tension from springs and coils. Forcing a jammed door could cause damage or injury.

Re-engaging Your Garage Door Opener After Manual Use

Once you’ve operated your garage door manually, you’ll need to reconnect the opener to get things running automatically again.

Here’s how to re-engage it safely:

1. Align the Door: Make sure the garage door is completely closed before you attempt to re-engage the opener. This helps the mechanism line up correctly.
2. Locate the Emergency Release Cord: Look for the red handle you pulled earlier to disengage the opener. It’s usually hanging from the opener rail near the ceiling.
3. Reconnect the Mechanism: Firmly pull the release cord in the opposite direction to reset it. You might feel or hear a slight click as the opener arm re-engages with the track or chain system.
4. Test the System: Press the garage door opener button to make sure it’s working again. The opener should lift and lower the door smoothly.

How to Prevent Issues with Garage Door Maintenance

Nobody wants to deal with a door that quits on them when they’re running late or trying to keep their home secure. Staying ahead on maintenance now can save you from a lot of frustration later. And if your garage door won’t close, regular upkeep is your best defense against that happening again.

Inspect and Clean the Tracks Regularly

Dirt, debris, and even minor dents can disrupt the smooth operation of your garage door. Take a few minutes monthly to clean the tracks and check for damage. A soft cloth and mild cleaner will prevent build-up and corrosion.

Test the Sensors

The safety sensors are your door’s eyes, so keep them clear and aligned. Wipe them carefully with a damp cloth to remove dirt or dust that could mimic an obstruction. Regularly check their alignment and ensure the indicator lights are steady, not blinking.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Your door has many moving parts that work together to raise and lower it every day. These moving parts need lubrication. To keep your door gliding smoothly, use a silicone-based lubricant to coat the rollers, hinges, and tracks every six months. Just skip the grease—it attracts dirt like a magnet.

Check the Springs and Cables

These components bear the brunt of your door’s weight. Inspect them occasionally for signs of wear, such as fraying or rust. If something seems off, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. These parts are under high tension and can be dangerous.

Test the Auto-Reverse Feature

Place something solid, like a wood block, in the door’s path and hit the close button. If the door doesn’t reverse when it hits the object, call for an inspection immediately. It means something is wrong with the automatic reversing mechanisms, a critical feature that has helped prevent injury and death.

Since 1974, at least 85 children have suffered serious injuries or worse due to garage doors that failed to reverse properly. Don’t take any chances.

Timely replacements

For newer systems, regular testing keeps everything running safely and smoothly. But if your door is over 20 years old, consider an upgrade. Replacing worn parts like springs or tracks can improve performance, but a new door with modern safety features offers better reliability, energy efficiency, and peace of mind.

The key to avoiding future garage door headaches is simple: don’t wait for a problem to make you notice. Maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it works.

When to Call for Professional Garage Door Repair

Some garage door problems can be fixed with a bit of patience and elbow grease. Others demand a professional eye and the right tools. A garage door that won’t close or open might have issues beyond what’s safe or effective for DIY fixes.

Here’s when to call in the pros:

• Are your springs or cables broken? These high-tension components are dangerous to handle and should only be repaired or replaced by trained technicians.
• Do your tracks look bent, misaligned, or damaged? Minor debris or grime is a quick fix, but significant track damage requires professional tools and precision.
• Is your opener motor unresponsive or acting erratically? Electrical systems and opener motors can fail in ways that are tricky (and risky) to troubleshoot on your own.
• Is your system older and lacking critical safety features? If your garage door pre-dates federal safety standards or shows signs of wear, an upgrade can protect your family and boost efficiency.

For 80 years, Lee Company has been the name Southeast homeowners trust for garage door repairs and replacements. From Tennessee to Alabama, Kentucky to Georgia, we’ve got the skills and experience to handle everything from quick fixes to full-scale garage door replacement.

Need a little help with the budget? We offer financing options for qualified homeowners and have special promotions to keep your home secure without stretching your wallet.

When your garage door needs attention, don’t settle for “good enough.” Contact Lee Company today for fast, reliable service that puts your home first!