Garage Door Won't Close All The Way? (We Have A Fix)
Having a garage is a plus for any homeowner no matter how many vehicles you have. You can use your garage for storage for your tools, yard and garden items, or even to park your car. But what do you do when your garage won’t close all the way? This can be frustrating, as you don’t want someone to gain access to your garage.
If your garage door does not close all the way, it may be due to improper alignment, a damaged seal, or a crack in the garage floor. Begin by checking to see if the batteries of your garage door opener are not dead. Next, check the close limit switch setting. Finally, check the alignment of the door.
Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why your garage door won’t close all the way. We’ll provide you with some fixes so that you can make sure your garage door closes the way that it’s supposed to.
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Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close
There are several common reasons that cause your garage door not to close all the way. While this can be a frustrating occurrence, there are some easy fixes to ensure it closes as it is supposed to. That way you can guarantee the security of your belongings and your home. Below, we list a few of the common issues and ways that you can fix them.
Faulty Garage Door Opener
Have you checked the batteries in your garage door opener? Of course, that is an obvious thing to do but sometimes we tend to overthink things. Go ahead and check the batteries. If it still does not work after putting new batteries in the opener, see if you can fix it or go ahead and order a new one.
Damaged Garage Door Seal
The garage door seal at the bottom of the door could be rotted, flattened, damaged, or it may even have fallen off. Replacing the garage door seal should help clear up this problem. Get a quality seal that is wider than the others so it will last longer. The old, “you get what you paid for” really is true in this case. Spend a few extra dollars to save money later.
Your Garage Floor Is Cracked Or Shifted
Check the floor under your garage door. Does it seem different? It could have shifted from age or damage from excessive rain, snow, or other weather conditions. You may have to re-level the floor. This is common with new concrete floors or pads and in older homes where the home is settling. This may require getting your floor leveled or adjusting the door setting.
The Close Limit Switch Is Set Wrong
Every garage door has a set limit switch to let your motor know when to stop running. This happens when it is closing or opening. If this close limit switch is set incorrectly, your garage door will not close all the way. It can also cause your door to open back up when you try to close it.
This switch is a safety feature to keep people from being hit with the garage door and is required for all garage doors. You will need to adjust the garage close limit switch. This is usually an easy fix that adjusts by turning a screw on the motor unit. If you cannot find it, check the owner’s manual.
The Electronic Eye Needs Realignment
On every garage door, there is an electronic eye near the bottom of the door track on each side. This is another safety feature to help prevent accidental door closure injuries. If the line of sight between the two eyes is clear, the door will close. But if there is something in the way, the door will not close all the way. Realigning the eyes will fix the problem.
You May Have Broken Springs
All garage doors have springs to help them open and close easier. If there are any springs in your garage door system that are damaged or broken, the door can become misaligned and will not shut all the way. Just take a look at the springs in your garage door and replace any springs that need replacement.
It Could Be Trouble With The Cables
Your garage door also needs cables to open and shut properly. The door will not be able to close all the way with damaged or broken cables. Just like the springs, check them and replace any that need to be replaced.
Could There Be Track Damage?
If the tracks on your garage door are bent, damaged, or corroded, this will slow or stop the closing process. Fixing or replacing the track will do the trick. It could just be that there is dirt or something else blocking the track. That is easy to fix. Just remove the blockage.
Cleaning The Sensors
If you have a habit of leaving your garage door open, dirt and dust can cover the sensors on the bottom of the doors. These are the electronic eyes that will not allow the door to close if there is something blocking it. Simply wipe the dust or dirt from the sensors and they should be fine.
Worn Out Gears
Do you hear any kind of loud noises when you try to close the door? If you hear a grinding noise, you could have a faulty or damaged gear. Sometimes gears just wear out. This is a more difficult fix than the others, but you may still be able to do it yourself.
You will need the garage door opener manual. But if you do not know where it is, download one from the internet or get one from the manufacturer. And do not forget, before working on your garage door opener, you need to lower the door and disconnect the power.
The Garage Door Opener Is Disconnected
Every garage door opener has a disconnect switch. This is for if the electricity goes out in your home and you have to open the door manually. You can typically find the switch attached to a knob that you have to turn or a rope that has to be pulled.
Is The Garage Door Locked?
It may seem strange, but maybe someone locked your garage door. It could have been locked on accident or maybe someone in the family locked it for some reason. Whatever the reason, this is a simple fix of just unlocking the door.
Preventive Maintenance On Your Garage Door
Your garage door is an important security feature for your home. If your door will not shut properly, people can get into your home if they want to. The best way to make sure your garage door opener is in top condition is with preventive maintenance.
- Clean the metal rollers with a small brush
- Lubricate the rollers with a non-silicon oil
- Clean the tracks with brake oil and a soft cloth
- Inspect and fix any damage to the track
- Tighten up any screws or brackets that are loose
- Test the balance of the garage door
- Check the rollers
- Inspect the weatherstripping and replace as needed
- Clean the door
How Often Should You Provide Maintenance To Your Garage Door?
It’s better to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to issues with any part of your home, including your garage door. Instead of waiting until there is something wrong with your door, you should be providing frequent maintenance to prevent anything from happening.
it’s a good idea to check your garage door at least once a week for any signs of problems. however, if this is not feasible, then at least once a month is fine. You want to look for any signs of damage, or motor issues. Stand outside and listen to the motor as the door is opening or closing. Check the springs. Make sure everything looks clean.
While this step seems redundant or unimportant, this is the best way to catch any issues early on. That way, you can prevent having to deal with being side blinded by a hefty repair bill, or having to deal with a serious problem.
Automatic Garage Doors Are Great
Having a garage door opener that works properly is a blessing. You do not have to get out of the car when you come home at night or when it is cold outside. Just pressing the button to open and shut the garage is an awesome feeling. But when something goes wrong, this can make you feel like you wish you did not have an automatic garage door.
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Take Care Of Your Door
If you are performing preventive maintenance and making sure the batteries in the remote control are good, you should not have any issues with your garage door opening and shutting properly.
But if you do, find it and fix it right away so you can keep on rolling as before. If it is something you cannot fix yourself, call a licensed garage door opener repair technician. A specialist can provide you with the proper repairs in order to get your garage door functioning the way that it should.
I am a DIYer who loves writing about anything home-related. When I am not writing, you can find me studying for my PhD in Psychology, photographing nature, and swimming at the lake with my grandkids.
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