Garage Door Won’t Open All the Way

Introduction

You are ready to attend your urgent office meeting or all set to join your friends for a party. Then you rush towards your garage to get your car but, unfortunately, the garage door won’t open all the way! Have you come across such a hitch ever? Of course! We all often face these sorts of everyday problems. While calling someone for assistance can be helpful, yet we should also know how to fix it, saving the last moment panic! Agree? So, let’s get started!

List Items (#7 will save your labor!)

Fixing the problem will be easy if we can summarize the possible causes of the door jam. A few of the likely reasons can be:

1. Locked door
2. Something blocked the door
3. Door dislodged
4. Loose or broken cables
5. Breakage of torsion springs
6. Faulty Remote Control
7. Disrupted power source
8. Blockage of Photo-eye
9. Limit setting is off
10. ‘Disconnect’ switched

Continue reading to be more informed by the troubleshooting tips and watch the video clips that may prove a help for you.

#1 It’s Locked

It entirely falls in the category of user error. You can find the motor running, but the door won’t move. There can be a possibility that it may be locked. You will need to check if there are any metal parts in the way that might have possibly slid down the bar. Locate the locking knob or handle to use it for unfastening the lock.

#2 An Obstacle in the Path

The garage doors reverse automatically if it comes in contact with a hurdle in its way. Though it is to prevent injuries, this may be a reason the garage door is blocked. When it closes halfway and reverses, there might be a possibility that something is preventing it from getting close. Check for the bits of trash, stuff like dirt, pieces of rocks, and other debris in the pathway. Wipe it up as that may be the cause of not closing the door.

#3 Door is off the track

Well, if the door is off its track, it will not slip smoothly. You will need to have a quick check:

• The door is rolling on its metal track effortlessly.
• There are no bumps, gaps, bends or other obstacles in the path.
• Watch and listen to the door’s movement. If you feel or find any squeaks or friction or a point where the door slow down or get stuck, you will get to know the area that has dislodged.

Loosen the screw that holds track to the frame and tries to move the trail back in its position. After putting it back in place re-tighten the screws. You may need a rubber mallet and level to help in fixing the problem.

#4 The Cables have popped off or snapped

There can be a possibility that the cable wires might have disrupted, just like in a bike when the cable wires become disengaged. When a torsion spring breaks the cable snaps. The snapped cable can cause damage to the vehicle or wall. The harm can be severe if a person comes in its way, so it is better to call a professional for help.

#5 Broken Torsion Springs

Bang…was that the sound you hear from your garage? It is the sign that maybe torsion spring is not functional. The loud noise may seem like a gunshot or bursting of a firecracker. Springs are made to take a specific number of cycles. Therefore, it is the 1^st thing to break in a garage door assembly. The Broken springs can be the cause of most calls to garage door companies. NEVER attempt to open the door if the garage door spring is out of order. It can be dangerous and you can get injured. Get to call the right professional having the required tools and skills to perform the task! Click to read on more information about the blocked garage doors.

#6 Remote Control malfunctioning

If the garage door is not opening using a remote, there might be a few possibilities which are as under:

• You are not in the functional range.
• Motor’s antenna is blocked or damaged. Check whether or not it’s hanging down from the motor. 
• In case door opens with a wall switch, simply changing the battery of the remote can serve the trick.
• When nothing works, try to reprogram the remote.

#7 Power source disruption

People tend to forget things. Like after they have unplugged the power source, they forget to plug in again and may still wonder why the door is not opening! They think that happens due to some malfunctioning, but there may be an entirely different scenario. So, before calling someone for help or go for any repair work, make sure that the garage door opener got plugged in the outlet. Also, check whether the outlet is working or out of order by plugging it into another socket. Do not forget to go through a check for your circuit breaker, fuse, and GFCI.

#8 Photo Eye Blocked

A photo eye, just like the human eye detects if something is causing a hurdle that is blocking the door from lowering or getting close. The photo-eye is at the height of 4-6 inches above the ground. The photo-eye is pea size that shoots a laser across the garage. If there is an interruption caused it will cut the signal used to raising or lowering of the door. Also, check that the cord attached to photo-eye is not broken or damaged.

 Dust and dirt can also clog and block the laser beam. It may need a thorough cleaning with the help of a tissue paper. 

#9 Adjustment of Limit setting

Sometimes the door gets closed and pops out again in no time. It may require you checking the limit settings. It is the setting that determines till how far the door should move to open up or get closed completely. If the settings are off, then the door comes down in front of the opener can assume it will hit the floor. It will lead to an automatic backtrack that takes place to avoid any damage. Get the user manual to know the motor’s buttons to correct its limit settings. This may need a hit and trial method for getting the setup right in order. You may need to make a few changes like:

• Bring a ladder and locate the adjustment knob on the limit switch. There are labels of ‘up’ and ‘down.’ Get the manual for guidance.
• Adjust the limit down if the door is not closing and up if it is not opening. Most models start working with the entire turn of screw equaling to about 2 inches of the door movement.
• Make only small adjustments as overdoing can spoil the work altogether banging the door shut or open. Keep on testing to check whether it works or not!

#10 Switched the ‘Disconnect’

All the garage door openers have a disconnect switch cord or knob which allow you to work on the door manually. It is an option when there is no power. Check to ensure that you haven’t disconnected the motor switch accidentally.

Apart from the above situations, there can be some issues that a new user can face. In a newly installed garage, door sensitivity may cause a problem. If it is set too high or too low the door will not open. Read the instructions on the user’s manual and reset the sensitivity. Limit the switch to the appropriate level to adjust the closing force, and you are all set with your new garage door!

Conclusion

I hope the list will help you in fixing the problem as it covers all the frequent and most common causes of jamming of garage doors from 1 to 10. It may help you to get a solution for your stuck door, and you may escape the problem by finding quick and smart solutions. It is not always easy to find answers to everyday life problems, but a quick trick tip that covers up the most of it is a huge help! You can also add your experiences and comments if you found the article helpful. Share it with your family and friends for it may prove useful to them, in case they are too stuck with a JAMMED garage door!