A garage door that won’t open usually comes down to a handful of causes. Some are quick to check yourself. Others, especially anything involving springs or cables, are dangerous and should be left to a trained technician. Here is how to narrow it down.
1. A broken spring
This is the most common reason. Springs do the heavy lifting, not the opener. If you heard a loud bang from the garage, see a gap in the coiled spring above the door, or the opener strains and stops after a few inches, a spring has probably broken. Do not try to lift the door by hand or keep pressing the button. See our guide to broken garage door springs, or our spring replacement service.
2. A snapped or loose cable
Lift cables run from the bottom corners of the door to the drums at the top. If one breaks or slips off its drum, the door may hang crooked or refuse to move. Cables are under high tension, so this is a job for a technician.
3. The opener has no power
Check that the opener is plugged in, that the outlet works and that a breaker or GFCI outlet hasn’t tripped. If the wall button does nothing and the opener light won’t turn on, power is the first suspect.
4. Remote or keypad problems
If the wall button works but the remote doesn’t, replace the remote battery first. Some openers also have a lock or vacation mode on the wall control that blocks remotes. Check your opener’s manual for how to turn it off.
5. Safety sensors are blocked or misaligned
The two small sensors near the floor must see each other. If something is in the way, a lens is dirty, or a sensor was bumped, the door will reverse or refuse to close, and the opener light often blinks. Clean the lenses and make sure both sensors point at each other.
6. The manual release is engaged or the door is locked
If someone pulled the red emergency release cord, the opener runs but is disconnected from the door. A slide lock on the inside of the door can also hold it shut. Make sure any lock is open before reconnecting the opener as described in its manual.
7. The door is off track
A door that has come out of its tracks, or has bent rollers or tracks, may jam. Never force it. An off-track door can fall. A technician can realign or replace the tracks and rollers.
8. A worn opener gear or motor
If the opener hums or clicks but the trolley doesn’t move, the drive gear or another internal part may be worn. Depending on the opener’s age and parts availability, it can be repaired or replaced. See garage door opener repair.
When to call for help
Call a technician for anything involving springs, cables, tracks or a door that hangs crooked. PLL Garage Doors and Gates is licensed, insured and bonded, and our emergency line is answered 24/7 at (866) 219-6211. We serve homes and businesses across Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties, and we stand behind our work with a warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open my garage door by hand if the spring is broken?
It is not safe. With a broken spring the door is very heavy and can drop suddenly. Leave it closed and call a technician.
Why does my opener hum but the door doesn’t move?
The usual causes are a broken spring, a door locked or off track, or a worn drive gear inside the opener.
Do you offer emergency garage door repair?
Yes. PLL Garage Doors and Gates answers its emergency line 24/7 at (866) 219-6211 across Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties.
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