Garage Door Reverses or Won't Close in St. Louis
The short answer
A door that starts down and then goes back up almost always has a safety sensor problem: the two small sensors near the floor are dirty, bumped out of line, or blocked. If the sensors are fine, the cause is usually the opener's settings or something binding in the track.
Call About a Door That Won't Close(314) 200-4461Signs to look for
- The door reverses a few inches after it starts closing.
- The door reverses just before it reaches the floor.
- The opener light flashes when the door won't close.
- The door only closes if you hold the wall button down.
- A sensor light near the floor is off or blinking.
Why it happens
Sensors out of line
A bump from a bike, a broom or a car tire can turn one sensor just enough that it can't see the other.
Dirty lenses or sun glare
Dust and cobwebs block the beam. Low morning or evening sun shining into a sensor can also confuse it.
Damaged sensor wire
Staples, rodents or a pinched wire can cut the signal.
Opener settings
If the closing force or travel limit is off, the opener thinks it hit something and reverses.
Binding track or rollers
A door that drags in the track takes more force to close, and the opener reverses to be safe.
Is it safe to use the door?
Usually, with care.
The reversing system is a safety feature that keeps the door from closing on people, pets and cars. Never bypass the sensors or tape them together. Holding the wall button can close some doors, but only do it while you watch the door the whole way down.
What you can check, and what needs a pro
Safe for you to check
- Wipe both sensor lenses with a soft cloth.
- Check that both sensor lights are on and steady.
- If a light is off or blinking, gently turn that sensor by hand until it points at the other one.
- Move anything that sits in the path of the beam.
- Look along the sensor wires for staples, cuts or pinches.
Leave these to a technician
- Adjusting closing force and travel limits.
- Replacing sensors or sensor wiring.
- Fixing a binding track or worn rollers.
- Balancing the door.
Never adjust, release or loosen springs, cables, drums or bottom brackets. They hold enough tension to cause serious injury.
Call About a Door That Won't Close(314) 200-4461What the repair involves
The technician tests the sensors, the wiring and the opener's force and travel settings, then checks the door for binding or imbalance.
Most of the time this is a short visit: new sensors or wiring, an opener adjustment, or new rollers. The safety reverse is tested before we leave.
More about our garage door opener repair service in St. Louis
Call About a Door That Won't Close(314) 200-4461