Short answer: A garage door that won't budge has several possible causes. Here's a safe way to narrow it down before calling for repair.
A garage door that won't budge has several possible causes. Here's a safe way to narrow it down before calling for repair.
Check power and remotes
Confirm the opener has power, the outlet works, and the remote and keypad batteries are fresh. Make sure the wall lock or vacation mode isn't engaged, which disables remotes. These simple checks resolve a surprising number of no-open situations.
Look at the safety sensors
If the door won't close, or the opener light flashes, check the photo-eye sensors near the floor on each side for misalignment or dirt blocking the beam. Gently wiping the lenses and confirming they face each other often fixes the issue. Never disable these safety sensors.
When to call a pro
If the door is stuck, extremely heavy, off its track, or you suspect a broken spring or cable, stop and call a technician rather than forcing it. Those components are under high tension and unsafe to handle without training. A professional can diagnose and repair safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check power and remotes?
Confirm the opener has power, the outlet works, and the remote and keypad batteries are fresh. Make sure the wall lock or vacation mode isn't engaged, which disables remotes. These simple checks resolve a surprising number of no-open situations.
Look at the safety sensors?
If the door won't close, or the opener light flashes, check the photo-eye sensors near the floor on each side for misalignment or dirt blocking the beam. Gently wiping the lenses and confirming they face each other often fixes the issue. Never disable these safety sensors.
When to call a pro?
If the door is stuck, extremely heavy, off its track, or you suspect a broken spring or cable, stop and call a technician rather than forcing it. Those components are under high tension and unsafe to handle without training. A professional can diagnose and repair safely.
How do I get help with this?
Send a request through the site with your location and what you need, and you will get a straight answer and an honest estimate before any work begins.
Request service — tell us what you need and we will reply with a straight answer and an honest estimate.