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True Trade Path

Diagnostic guide

Garage Door Won't Close

A garage door that refuses to close or reverses immediately — usually a safety sensor or track issue, not a motor failure.

System
Exterior
Causes covered
7
You can check
3 without a technician

Stop and read this first

  • Never attempt to repair torsion springs yourself — they store enough energy to cause serious injury or death.
  • If a cable is broken, do not operate the door — it can fall without warning.
  • Disconnect the opener and operate manually only if the door is balanced and springs are intact.

Work through these in order

Ordered from most to least likely. Working top down means you rule out the cheap, common causes before paying anyone to look at the expensive, rare ones.

  1. Misaligned safety sensors

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Door starts down then reverses immediately. Small LED lights on sensors at floor level — one is off or blinking.
    The fix
    Align the sensors so they face each other directly. Clean the lenses. Secure loose brackets.

  2. Obstruction in the door path

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Something blocks the sensor beam — a box, broom, or debris on the floor.
    The fix
    Clear the path. The safety beam must be uninterrupted across the full door width.

  3. Dirty or damaged sensor lenses

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Sensors are aligned but the LED still blinks. Lenses are dusty or scratched.
    The fix
    Clean with a soft cloth. Replace cracked sensors ($20 to $40 per pair).

  4. Broken or frayed lift cable

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Door is crooked when lowering. Cable on one side is loose or visibly frayed.
    The fix
    Do not operate the door. A professional replaces the cable ($150 to $350). Operating with a broken cable can cause the door to fall.

  5. Track obstruction or damage

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Door binds or stops partway. Track is bent, dented, or has debris inside the rail.
    The fix
    Clear debris and check for dents. Minor track alignment can be adjusted; significant damage needs professional repair ($150 to $400).

  6. Failed garage door opener logic board

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Sensors are aligned, track is clear, but the opener does not respond correctly. Wall button works but remote does not.
    The fix
    A technician diagnoses the opener. Logic board replacement runs $150 to $300; full opener replacement runs $300 to $600.

  7. Broken torsion or extension spring

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Door is extremely heavy to lift manually. You heard a loud bang from the garage.
    The fix
    Do not operate the door. Spring replacement runs $150 to $350 — high-tension springs are dangerous and require a professional.

How to find a good carpenter

Before you sign a contract for this job, use our guide on how to find a good carpenter: verify the licence at the state board, compare three itemized quotes on the same scope, and put permit responsibility and change-order rules in writing.

Read the carpenter hire guideCheck if your quote is fairVerify licences by state

For trade owners

Pricing this job as a contractor?

Homeowners see national ranges on this page. If you are building the estimate, use the same scope assumptions — then price to burdened labor, overhead recovery and a real margin.

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Find a licensed pro

When you are ready to hire for garage door won't close, start with licence verification — not with whoever answered first.

No paid placement

Rankings are never sold. Order reflects verification depth and relevance, not payment.
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Verify any licence yourself before signing: state licensing hub.

Common questions

Could misaligned safety sensors be causing this?
Door starts down then reverses immediately. Small LED lights on sensors at floor level — one is off or blinking. Align the sensors so they face each other directly. Clean the lenses. Secure loose brackets.
Could obstruction in the door path be causing this?
Something blocks the sensor beam — a box, broom, or debris on the floor. Clear the path. The safety beam must be uninterrupted across the full door width.
Could dirty or damaged sensor lenses be causing this?
Sensors are aligned but the LED still blinks. Lenses are dusty or scratched. Clean with a soft cloth. Replace cracked sensors ($20 to $40 per pair).
Could broken or frayed lift cable be causing this?
Door is crooked when lowering. Cable on one side is loose or visibly frayed. Do not operate the door. A professional replaces the cable ($150 to $350). Operating with a broken cable can cause the door to fall.

Once you know what it is

Step one

Know what it should cost

Get the range before you call, so the first number you hear is not the only number you have.

Step two

Decide repair or replace

On equipment near end of life, the repair is usually the first of several.

Step three

Check the quote

Compare against the typical range and confirm the terms before you sign.

Garage Door Replacement cost guideRepair or replace calculatorEstimate repair costAnalyze a quote

What the fix costs

Tools for this decision

Other symptoms