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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.

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