One of the most frequent reasons a garage door won’t open is a broken spring or snapped cable. Your garage door relies on high-tension springs and cables to lift and lower smoothly. Over time, these components wear out due to constant use, and when they break, your door becomes too heavy to open manually or with an opener.
Signs of a broken spring include a loud snapping noise, a door that struggles to lift, or a visible gap in the spring itself. Cables can also fray or snap, causing the door to become misaligned or stop moving altogether.
Since garage door springs and cables are under extreme tension, trying to fix them yourself can be dangerous. If you suspect a broken spring or cable, avoid using the door and call a professional garage door repair technician to safely replace the damaged parts.
Garage Door Track Misalignment: How It Affects Door Movement
If your garage door is stuck or moving unevenly, a misaligned track may be the culprit. The metal tracks guide the door’s movement, and when they become bent or loose, the door can jam, get stuck halfway, or make grinding noises.
Common causes of track misalignment include accidental impact, loose bolts, dirt buildup, or general wear and tear. If you notice gaps between the rollers and the tracks or hear scraping sounds while the door moves, it’s time to inspect the alignment.
Minor misalignments can sometimes be adjusted by tightening bolts or gently straightening the track. However, severely bent tracks require professional garage door repair to prevent further damage. A trained technician can realign the tracks, replace damaged sections, and ensure the door operates smoothly.
Troubleshooting Garage Door Opener Problems and Sensor Malfunctions
If your garage door opener isn’t working, the issue may lie in the motor, remote, or safety sensors. A dead battery in the remote is the simplest fix, but if the opener still doesn’t respond, you’ll need to dig deeper.
Start by checking if the garage door opener is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If the power source is intact but the motor isn’t running, the opener may need resetting or professional repair.
Another common issue is misaligned or dirty safety sensors. These sensors prevent the door from closing if an object is detected in its path. If the sensors are blocked by dirt or out of alignment, they can stop the door from functioning properly. Cleaning them and ensuring they are properly aligned often solves the problem.
If troubleshooting doesn’t work, it’s best to contact a garage door repair professional to diagnose and fix the issue safely.
Read More:
Strange Noises and Jerky Movements: Early Signs You Need Garage Door Repair