Garage door won't close? Here's what to check first
Updated October 2026
A garage door that won't close is one of the most common reasons people search for emergency repair late at night. The good news: the cause is often something simple you can fix in a few minutes. The bad news: a few causes are dangerous, so start with the safe checks and stop if you see any of the warning signs below.
Stop and call a pro if you see any of these
- A gap in one of the springs above the door or along the sides
- A loose, frayed or snapped cable
- Rollers out of the track or a door that hangs crooked
- A loud bang just before the problem started (usually a spring)
Don't try to fix springs, cables or bottom brackets yourself. They hold a lot of tension and can cause serious injuries.
1. Check the safety sensors
Most openers have two small sensors near the floor, one on each side of the door. If anything blocks the beam, or the sensors are knocked out of line, the door will go down and pop right back up. Look for a box, leaves, a toy or a cobweb in the path. Each sensor has a small light. If one is off or blinking, gently adjust it until both lights are steady, then wipe the lenses with a soft cloth.
2. Look for sunlight hitting a sensor
Low morning or evening sun shining straight into a sensor can confuse it. If the problem only happens at certain times of day, try shading the sensor with a piece of cardboard and see if the door closes.
3. Check the lock button
Many wall panels have a lock or vacation button that blocks the remotes. If the wall button works but the remotes don't, this is a likely culprit. Your opener manual explains how to turn it off.
4. Replace the remote batteries
If only one remote has stopped working, change the battery before anything else.
5. Look at the tracks
Something stuck in the track, or a small dent, can stop the door partway. Clear any debris. If a track is badly bent or the rollers have come out, stop and call for repair.
6. Check the close limit setting
If the door touches the floor and immediately reverses, the opener may think it hit something. The close limit and force settings can drift. Your opener manual shows how to adjust them, or a technician can do it quickly.
7. Make sure the opener has power
Check that the opener is plugged in and that the outlet works. A tripped GFCI outlet or breaker is a common surprise.
8. Check if the trolley is disengaged
If someone pulled the red emergency release cord, the opener will run but the door won't move. Reconnect it following your opener's instructions, usually by running the opener until the trolley clicks back in.
9. Close it by hand, only if it's safe
If the springs and cables look fine and the door moves smoothly, you can pull the emergency release and lower the door by hand, then lock it. If the door feels very heavy or wants to drop, let go of the idea and call a technician. A door that's hard to hold usually means a broken spring. Read more in our guide to using the manual release safely.
When to call for emergency repair
If the door is stuck open and none of these simple checks help, or you see any of the warning signs above, call a garage door company that offers emergency service. Search by ZIP code to find companies near you that advertise 24/7 service.