What to do when your garage door will not open

Simple checks you can make safely.

These checks do not involve touching springs, cables or the door hardware.

• Make sure the opener has power. Check that it is plugged in and that the outlet or breaker is on.
• Look at the wall control. Many have a lock or vacation setting that stops remotes from working.
• Try the wall control as well as the remote. If only the remote fails, replace its battery.
• Check the safety sensors near the floor. Make sure nothing blocks the beam and that the small lights on both sensors are steady.
• Check whether a manual lock or slide bolt on the door has been engaged.

Signs the problem is mechanical.

• The opener motor runs or hums, but the door does not move.
• The door lifts a few inches and stops, or feels far heavier than usual.
• A loud bang came from the garage shortly before the problem started.
• One side of the door sits higher than the other.

These signs often point to a broken spring, a cable problem or a door that is out of balance. They need a professional assessment rather than more attempts to open the door.

What to tell us when you get in touch.

• Your ZIP code.
• Whether the door is stuck open or closed, and whether a vehicle is trapped inside.
• What you heard or saw when the problem started.
• What happens when you press the wall control.
• The opener brand, if you can see it on the motor unit.

Questions