Why Won't the Garage Door Go Down?

Everyone's finally dressed and ready to leave. You back the car out, hit the remote, and you're off. Until you realize the garage isn't closed. You reluctantly pull back into the driveway, brow furrowing in frustration. It happens to everyone. Many homeowners don't even realize they left it open until they return home.

Why didn't it close? Garage doors usually fail to close as a result of the safety sensors being blocked. They're located on each side of the opening, no more than a foot or so off the ground. Typically, each will have a small light that stays lit when everything is going well. If either of the lights are out, simply move whatever is blocking the sensor (sometimes even cobwebs/small debris can cause safety sensors to malfunction) or adjust them so that they are pointing at each other again. You can move these around by hand if they've been knocked out of alignment.

If you're still stuck at home, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the door. This can be a common cause for service calls. Always use caution when operating your garage door, but be extra cautious when it's not working correctly. It's the probably the largest, heaviest, moving piece of machinery in the house. It's counter balance system is under EXTREME pressure, and when it doesn't work properly, it can be dangerous. Many people have been injured or even killed by garage doors, some of them professionals. If yours is sitting crooked in the opening, has come off the tracks, or is not working properly, call a professional repair company immediately.

If you're still stuck in the driveway, there are a couple more things to try before calling a professional. Try using the wall button instead of the remote or keyless entry. It's possible the remote's batteries are dead, or the lock function located on the wall button has been enabled. If the garage door itself is working properly, you can pull the manual release on the motor. This will let you close everything manually, although the opener won't be locking it shut the way it normally would.

Some openers have an indicator light that can help troubleshoot any problems. Again, you'll need the owner's manual for your model. Many can be found online by doing a quick search for your make and model number. You can find the model and manufacturer on the back of the opener.

If all else fails, it may be time to call a pro. Some companies will be able to give an estimate on probable repairs over the phone, so let them know what steps you may have already taken. Call a few different companies to ensure their numbers are competitive. Since openers have an expected life span of about 10 years, it might also be a good idea to check prices for new openers, instead of repairing an older model. Newer models will have more up to date technology, providing better security and safety features.