Garage door problems
Most garage door problems fall into four buckets: a broken spring, a misaligned or blocked photo-eye sensor, worn rollers and track issues, or an opener fault. A loud bang followed by a door that suddenly feels extremely heavy is almost always a broken spring - stop using the door and call a professional, because the counterbalance system is what was holding that weight.
Door won't close, and the opener light blinks. This is usually the photo eyes. Since UL 325's third edition took effect for residential openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, openers use entrapment protection - the sensors mounted low on each side of the opening. If the beam is broken, dirty, or the brackets have been knocked out of alignment, the door refuses to close. Clean the lenses, clear the path, and check that both indicator lights are steady.
A bang, then a heavy door. A snapped spring. The door may still lift with the opener straining, or not at all. Do not force it, do not park under it, and do not attempt the repair. Springs are the highest-energy component in the system.
Door is crooked or came off the track. Often a broken lift cable, a jammed roller, or damage from being struck. A door off its track is unstable - leave it alone and get a technician out.
Door reverses immediately after touching the floor. Usually a travel-limit or force setting on the opener, sometimes an obstruction on the floor or a worn bottom seal.
Grinding, squealing, or shuddering. Typically dry or worn rollers, loose hardware, or bent track. Lubrication and tightening fix a surprising share of these, which is why an annual tune-up is worth booking.
Choosing garage doors a fix
The judgement calls that decide the bill, before anyone quotes you.
- Broken spring: stop using the door Without the counterbalance, the door's full weight is on the opener and the cables. Disconnect the opener and call a professional.
- Check the photo eyes before calling anyone Dirty lenses, a bag leaning into the beam, or a bumped bracket cause a large share of 'won't close' calls.
- Off-track doors are not a DIY fix The door can fall or bind. Keep people and cars clear and get a technician.
- Do not disable the safety sensors Bypassing entrapment protection removes the feature that exists because children and pets were being crushed. Fix the sensor instead.
- Note what changed Weather, a recent bump, a power outage, or a new setting all narrow the diagnosis and shorten the service call.
All garage doors problems
Garage Door Making Noise
Garage Door Off Track
Broken Garage Door Spring
Garage Door Won't Open
Garage Door Won't Close
Garage Door Opener Failure
Garage Door Sensors Not Working
Uneven Garage Door
Frayed Garage Door Cables
Garage Door Stuck Halfway
Remote Not Working
Garage Door Safety Reverse Failure
Where these figures come from
Sources last checked
- CPSC - Garage Door Operators / Gate Operators voluntary standards · retrieved 2026-07-25
- DASMA - Garage door safety tips · retrieved 2026-07-25
- This Old House - Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost (2026) · retrieved 2026-07-25
You know more than the last homeowner they quoted.
That is worth something only while you are still choosing. Tell us what is going on and we will match you with a few garage doors pros whose licence and insurance we have already checked - free, no obligation.
Free · No pressure · Only your matched pros get your details