Few things are more frustrating than getting ready to leave your home, only to find that your garage door won’t open. Whether you’re running late for work or coming home after a long day, a malfunctioning garage door can throw off your entire schedule. Fortunately, most garage door issues have simple explanations and straightforward solutions. In this guide, we’ll discuss the top five reasons your garage door won’t open and how to fix them. If you need expert help, Affordable Garage Door Repairs of Indianapolis, LLC is your trusted garage door company for fast and reliable garage door repair services.

1. Dead or Malfunctioning Garage Door Opener Batteries

Why It Happens:

One of the most common reasons a garage door won’t open is dead batteries in your remote control or wall-mounted opener. If your remote isn’t sending a signal, your garage door won’t respond.

How to Fix It:

• Replace the batteries in your remote control and try again.

• If that doesn’t work, check the wall-mounted control panel.

• If the wall button works but the remote doesn’t, you may need to reprogram the remote.

• If replacing the batteries doesn’t solve the issue, contact Affordable Garage Door Repairs of Indianapolis, LLC for expert troubleshooting.

2. Misaligned or Blocked Safety Sensors

Why It Happens:

Garage door openers use infrared safety sensors to detect objects in the door’s path. If these sensors are misaligned, dirty, or blocked, the garage door may not open or close properly.

How to Fix It:

• Check for any objects blocking the sensors and remove them.

• Clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt.

• Ensure both sensors are aligned correctly (their indicator lights should be solid, not blinking).

• If realigning the sensors doesn’t work, call a garage door repair professional to inspect them.

3. Broken Garage Door Springs

Why It Happens:

Garage door springs are responsible for lifting and lowering the door smoothly. If a spring breaks, the door will become too heavy for the opener to lift, preventing it from opening.

Signs of Broken Springs:

• A loud bang or snapping noise before the door stops working.

• The garage door starts to open but then quickly slams shut.

• The door looks uneven when attempting to lift it manually.

How to Fix It:

Broken springs are dangerous to replace on your own. Attempting to fix them without proper tools and expertise can lead to serious injury. Instead, contact Affordable Garage Door Repairs of Indianapolis, LLC, a trusted garage door company, for professional spring replacement.

4. Damaged or Snapped Cables

Why It Happens:

Garage door cables work alongside the springs to lift the door. Over time, cables can fray or snap due to wear and tear, making it impossible for the door to open.

Signs of Cable Issues:

• The garage door looks lopsided when opening.

• The door gets stuck halfway up.

• Visible fraying or loose cables hanging from the door mechanism.

How to Fix It:

If your garage door cables are broken, avoid trying to lift the door manually, as it could be unstable. Instead, reach out to Affordable Garage Door Repairs of Indianapolis, LLC for prompt and professional cable replacement.

5. Malfunctioning Garage Door Opener Motor

Why It Happens:

The garage door opener motor is the powerhouse behind your automatic system. If the motor fails, the opener won’t work, preventing your door from opening.

Signs of a Motor Problem:

• The motor makes a humming sound but doesn’t engage the door.

• The garage door opener light turns on, but nothing happens.

• The door only opens partially before stopping.

How to Fix It:

• Try resetting the garage door opener by unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in.

• Check the opener’s settings to ensure it’s programmed correctly.

• If the motor has completely failed, you’ll need a professional garage door repair service to replace or repair the unit.

Final Thoughts

A garage door that won’t open can be a major inconvenience, but in most cases, the issue can be diagnosed and fixed quickly. From dead batteries and sensor misalignment to broken springs and faulty motors, knowing the common causes can help you troubleshoot the problem effectively.

If you’re dealing with a stubborn garage door and need expert assistance, Affordable Garage Door Repairs of Indianapolis, LLC is your go-to garage door company for reliable and affordable garage door repair services. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and get your garage door working smoothly again!