A broken garage door that won’t close completely is an inconvenience. However, it can also be a security hazard if not repaired promptly. Here’s why your door may be failing to shut all the way and what can be done about it.

Why Isn’t My Garage Door Closing All the Way?

Common Reasons

A garage door could fail to close because of its photo eyes. The safety sensors produce an invisible laser beam that, if disrupted, causes the door to stop moving. If the eyes sustain damage or become misaligned, they tell the door system that there’s an item in the way even when there isn’t, causing it to malfunction.

Other explanations for a broken garage door that refuses to fully close include faulty springs and cables, track problems, door limit issues, and various obstructions. Spring and cable damage cause misalignments and lowering process interference. Track issues include bent, misaligned tracks or those clogged with debris.

The door limit is the default garage door opener setting. However, if it’s set too high, the door will not shut. Obstructions include items the door comes in contact with that causes its reverse feature to activate, such as boxes and tools you didn't realize were in its path.

Solutions

Cleaning photo sensors and tightening their screws can solve garage door closing issues, as can reprogramming the door limit according to manufacturer instructions. Ensuring the door enjoys an obstruction-free path also helps.

However, most closing issues require professional repairs, especially those involving broken springs and cables. Avoid trying to perform the maintenance yourself due to the risk of a several-hundred-pound door crashing down and causing serious injuries. Damaged tracks, such as those that are seriously warped or bent, also require professional services. 

If you need a professional to help your broken garage door close all the way, contact Automatic Door Company in Milford, CT. This overhead door company provides home and business owners throughout New Haven County with dependable installations, repairs, and replacements. Call (203) 795-3577 for an estimate, or learn more about broken garage door services online.