Why won’t my garage door close the whole way?

There are a few common reasons why a garage door may not fully close all the way. The most likely culprits include misaligned or bent tracks, faulty sensors, broken springs, or an obstruction blocking the door. Diagnosing the specific cause takes some investigation but is usually straightforward for a handy homeowner to resolve.

Quick Answers

Here are some quick answers to common questions about garage doors not closing fully:

• Check for obstructions like objects on the floor blocking the photo eye sensors or tracks. Remove anything in the way.
• Inspect tracks for damage or misalignment. Tracks should be straight and aligned properly.
• Test photo eye sensors by waving an object in front of them. Lights should turn off when blocked.
• Listen for grinding noises which can indicate worn out springs. Have a professional replace damaged springs.
• Make sure garage door opener has the proper force settings. Too much force can damage the door.
• Lubricate and tighten roller and hinges. This allows smooth operation.
• Replace old, warped, or damaged garage door panels. Warping can prevent proper closure.

Troubleshooting the Issue

When your garage door refuses to close all the way, the first step is observing what exactly is happening to diagnose the problem. Start by operating the door normally, either through the automatic opener or manually lifting it. Pay attention to what point the door stops or reverses direction. Also check if the motor strains to close the door or if the process feels smooth. Any grinding noises, difficulties moving smoothly, or places where the door sticks can help identify causes. There are a few main problems that can prevent garage doors from closing fully:

Obstructed Photo Eye Sensors

Most automatic garage door openers have a set of photo eye sensors at the base of the door track. These detect any objects blocking the door and cause it to reverse for safety. If the sensors have fallen out of alignment or are dirty, then they can be triggered when nothing is obstructing the door. Carefully clean the sensors with a rag to remove dirt. Check that both sensors are pointed straight across at each other without any angles. They should be aligned about 6 inches off the ground. Verify that the senors work by waving an object in front of them, causing the indicator light to turn off.

Track Misalignment

The metal tracks that guide garage doors up and down need to remain straight and properly aligned. If tracks fall out of alignment, usually from being hit or knocked loose, it can prevent smooth operation. Door panels can jam in crooked tracks causing the motor to stall out before fully closing. Check that tracks are still securely fastened in place with screws or brackets. Use a level to verify tracks are straight without bends or angles. Measure track spacing at the top, bottom, and middle to ensure spacing is equal on both sides without widening or narrowing. Straighten or reinstall misaligned tracks.

Broken or Stretched Springs

Torsion springs provide counterbalance tension to offset the weight of garage doors, allowing easy lifting and closing. Springs wear out over time and will eventually break. Replacing broken springs is recommended. For now, you can check if worn springs are the cause of doors not closing by manually lifting the door about halfway up. Gently release the door and see if springs provide enough force to pull it closed the rest of the way. If not, the springs need adjustment or replacing. Caution: Torsion springs can be dangerous if mishandled and should only be serviced by experienced professionals.

Binding Door Panels

Garage door panels can sometimes stick, bind against each other, or warp over time. This can make opening and closing difficult. Sticking panels drag against tracks and cause resistance that can prevent full closure. Try lifting door panels manually to identify any that do not move freely. Check for warping by sighting down the door panels. Use lubricant spray to loosen any sticky spots. For severely warped panels, replacement may be needed to get the door operating smoothly again.

Adjusting the Opener Force

Automatic garage door openers have force adjustment controls to set the appropriate amount of power for raising and lowering doors. If set too high, opener motors can burn out trying to forcefully close stuck doors. The force may need reducing with old or improperly balanced doors. Refer to opener manuals for force adjustment instructions. Typically this involves adjusting a dial or switches on the opener motor head. Set force just high enough for the door to fully close without straining the opener motor.

Inspecting and Replacing Rollers

Small plastic or metal rollers attached to door panels ride inside the track guides. Worn out, dirty, or damaged rollers can cause closure issues by creating resistance. Rollers may also pop out of tracks if the wheel falls off the axle. Insprect rollers to ensure they spin freely without wobbling and that the wheel is firmly attached. Clean any dirt buildup off rollers. If rollers are heavily worn, replacement is recommended for smooth operation. Replace missing or broken rollers in their track to prevent binding.

Lubricating Moving Parts

Lubrication can go a long way for improving garage door operation. Lubricate all moving metal parts like rollers, hinges, pulleys, bearings, and springs. This reduces friction and noise while protecting metal components from wear. Use garage door lubricant spray or light oil like WD-40. Reapply lubricant twice per year. Properly lubricating tracks, rollers, hinges, pulleys, and bearings helps doors glide along their path without sticking or jamming.

Checking for Obstructions

Any objects obstructing the closing garage door could prevent it from shutting fully. Tools, boxes, or other items left on the garage floor can block the door. Vehicles or trailers pulled too far into the garage are also common obstructions. People, pets, or debris may trigger the photo eye safety sensors. Check the floor area near where the door closes for any items in the way. Clear at least a few feet in front of the door of any blocking objects. Also verify door seals do not catch on the walls or ground causing it to hang up.

Adjusting Limits and Forces

Component	Issue	Solution
Down Limit	Set too high preventing full closure	Reset down limit closer to floor
Up Limit	Set too low reducing clearance	Reset up limit higher for max clearance
Force Settings	Set too high and strains motor	Reduce force so door closes without working opener hard

Garage door openers have limit settings and force controls that may need periodic adjustment. If the down limit is set too high, it will stop the door before fully closing. Loosen the down limit adjustment screw and reset it closer to the floor for complete closure. Likewise, an up limit set too low can prevent the door from fully opening. Reset the up limit farther from the floor for maximum clearance. The force and sensitivity settings control the amount of power used for opening and closing. If set too high, motors strain to move doors. Reduce force settings until the door moves smoothly without excessive force.

Replacing Bent Tracks

Steel garage door tracks can become bent or misshapen over time. Bends in vertical, horizontal, and curved track sections will cause rollers to pop out or jam. Unfortunately bent tracks cannot be straightened, as this weakens the metal. For severely bent tracks, the only remedy is replacing them. Measure the length and track configuration before going to the hardware store. Slot the replacement tracks into place and secure with brackets. Lubricate thoroughly once installed to prevent squeaks and grinding.

Tightening Loose Hinges

Garage doors have hinges along the sides that connect panels and allow them to swing out and up. These hinges can slowly work loose over time from vibration. A loose hinge that moves or shifts as the door operates can cause alignment issues and closure problems. Inspect hinge plates for loose or missing screws. Tighten all screws firmly to secure wobbly hinges. Shimming behind a loose hinge with a flat washer can also take up play and stabilize the joint.

Checking Balance and Weight

Properly balancing the weight of garage doors is crucial for smooth operation. Doors become unbalanced over time as panels warp and springs stretch. An unbalanced door has noticeable difference in weight between sides. One way to check balance is by disconnecting the opener and manually lifting the door halfway. If unbalanced, the heavy side will want to sink downwards. Rebalancing the door involves adjusting spring tensions and may require professional help. Balanced doors should lift smoothly and stay in place when positioned halfway open.

Replacing Rusted Cables

Steel cables running over garage door pulleys connect to bottom brackets and counterbalance springs. These cables gradually rust and fray from exposure. Frayed or broken cables cause the door to jam or suddenly drop. Inspect cables closely for rust spots and snapped strands. Fraying usually begins right above the bottom roller bracket. Replace cables that are heavily rusted or damaged before they break entirely. This may require adjustment of cable tension and spring lengths.

Conclusion

A garage door that does not fully close or seals shut can be annoying and unsafe. In most cases the problem can be identified through careful inspection of tracks, rollers, hinges, springs, and opener settings. Fixing minor issues like lubrication, dirt, or loose hardware may resolve the problem. Larger repairs like replacing springs, cables, or panels may be needed after long term wear and damage. Try troubleshooting one issue at a time until finding the component preventing complete closure. With some diligent investigation and DIY repairs, you can get your garage door closing correctly again.