Garage doors do more than add style and flair to your home; they also improve the security of your home, which is why diagnosing yours when it’s malfunctioning is key. Kalispell Overhead Door Service in Flathead County, MT, knows that unless you’re an expert, determining why your door won’t close is often easier said than done, so they’ve assembled a “how-to” guide below to help you troubleshoot. If your overhead door won’t shut, and you suspect it’s caused by one of the following problems, contact a repair technician ASAP. 

4 Reasons Your Garage Door Might Not Be Working 

1. Vacation Button Switched On

Many garage door openers, whether wall-mounted or portable, have an additional switch known as a “vacation switch” that enables the user to lock the door controls. This feature can be activated by the user accidentally, which will prevent your door from opening or closing. Before calling a professional, try disengaging the button if you’re aware which one it is, or refer to your users’ manual to deactivate it. 

2. Misaligned or Obscured Sensors 

Your home’s garage door is equipped with sensors designed to alert the opener when there’s an obstacle in its path, and it’s important to make sure that these sensors are properly aligned; if they’re out of place, they may keep your door from closing. Additionally, if an object is obstructing the sensor, your door won’t close, so take a look around to certify that there isn’t anything leaning up against it. 

3. Remote Out of Batteries 

​​​​​​​If you’ve pulled out of the driveway and clicked your door remote, but the garage doesn’t seem to close, the batteries in your remote may simply need replacing. To check whether it’s an issue with your clicker, try closing the door by pressing the button in the garage; if that doesn’t work, there may be more than meets the eye. 

​​​​​​​4. Opener Sensor Blocked

When your garage door doesn’t respond after clicking the opener, the sensor on the opener itself may be blocked. There could be an overhanging wire in the way. To determine whether this is the case, inspect it closely—just be sure to do so safely, especially if using a ladder. 

If the above suggestions failed to diagnose your overhead door issue, the professionals from Kalispell Overhead Door Service will be happy to help you find an affordable solution. Call them today at (406) 755-4120 to learn more about what they do, or visit them online for a complete list of residential and commercial garage door services.