Garage Door Won't Open? 5 Common Reasons and Fixes

It’s a frustrating scenario: you’re running late for work, you press the button on your garage door remote, and… nothing happens. Or maybe the motor hums, but the door refuses to budge. Before you panic, check these 5 common reasons why your garage door won’t open.

1. Dead Transmitter Batteries

This is the most common (and easiest to fix) issue. If your wall switch works but your remote doesn’t, it’s likely just a dead battery.

• The Fix: Replace the battery in your remote. Most use a standard CR2032 coin battery or a small 12V alkaline battery.

2. Misaligned Photo-Eye Sensors

Safety sensors are located near the floor on either side of the garage door tracks. If they are misaligned or blocked by debris, the door will not close (and sometimes won’t open properly if the logic board is confused).

• The Fix: Check for dirt on the lenses or objects in the path. Gently adjust the sensors until the LED lights on both units are solid, not blinking.

3. Broken Torsion Spring

If you hear a loud “bang” from your garage, you likely have a broken torsion spring. The spring sits above the door and does the heavy lifting. If it breaks, the door becomes extremely heavy and the opener won’t be able to lift it.

• The Fix: Do not attempt to fix this yourself. Garage door springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury. Call a professional immediately.

4. Disconnected Disconnect Switch

Every garage door opener has a manual disconnect cord (usually with a red handle). If this was pulled accidentally, the motor is disconnected from the door.

• The Fix: Pull the cord toward the door to re-engage the carriage with the trolley track. Run the opener to snap it back into place.

5. Locked Door

It sounds silly, but if your door has a manual slide lock, check to ensure it hasn’t been engaged. This often happens if children have been playing in the garage.

• The Fix: Simply slide the lock handle to the open position.

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve checked the batteries, sensors, and locks, and the door still won’t open, it’s time to call Ez2Fix. We offer same-day emergency service to get your door moving again.

Related Resources

• Opener Remote Not Working - More detailed troubleshooting for remote and sensor issues
• Garage Door Balance Test - Check if weak springs are causing your opener to struggle
• Manual Release Cord - Learn how to manually operate your door in emergencies
• Garage Door Sensor Alignment - Fix misaligned photo-eye sensors
• Garage Door Off Track - What to do if your door is jammed or derailed

Expert Repair Services: Opener Repair • Spring Repair • Emergency Repair

Service available in: Paterson • Elizabeth • Clifton • All areas

Ready to schedule? Book your free estimate or call (201) 554-6769.