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Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close All the Way
(And What You Can Do About It)

There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of hitting the garage door button—only to watch the door stop halfway or bounce right back open. 

Not only is it frustrating, but it can leave your home and valuables vulnerable. If your garage door isn’t closing all the way, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not powerless.

We’ve seen just about every reason a garage door refuses to shut. Some are simple fixes. Others may need a professional hand. 

Either way, we’ll walk you through the most common causes, how to check for them, and when it’s time to call in the pros.

First Things First: Safety Sensors (AKA The Main Culprit)

Let’s start with the most common reason we see garage doors that won’t close: the safety sensors. These little devices sit near the bottom of your garage door tracks, one on each side. 

They’re designed to keep your family, pets, and stuff safe by preventing the door from closing on anything in its path.

What Can Go Wrong?

  • Sensors are dirty – A layer of dust, cobwebs, or even a rogue leaf can block the signal.
  • Sensors are misaligned – They have to “see” each other to work properly. If one gets bumped or moved, the door thinks something’s in the way.
  • Wires are damaged – Over time, wires can get frayed or unplugged.

     

DIY Fix:

  1. Wipe the sensors with a soft cloth.
  2. Check that both sensor lights are on (typically green or red).
  3. If one or both are off or blinking, gently adjust them until the lights stay solid.

     

Still not closing? Try holding the wall button down. If the door closes that way, it’s definitely a sensor issue. If not, keep reading.

Remote or Wall Button Problems

Sometimes, it’s not the door—it’s the thing you’re using to control it.

Check These:

  • Dead remote batteries – It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often this is the issue.
  • Wall button wiring – If your wall control is old or damaged, it might not be sending the right signal.
  • Lock feature – Some wall buttons have a lock or vacation mode that disables remotes. Make sure it’s not turned on by accident.

DIY Fix:

  • Replace remote batteries.
  • Test another remote if you have one.

Hold down the lock button for 3-5 seconds to disable it.

Garage Door Track Issues

Your garage door travels on metal tracks when opening and closing. If anything’s off, it can stop the door from working right.

Signs to Look For:

  • Bent or warped tracks.
  • Debris like leaves or small rocks.
  • Loose bolts or brackets.

DIY Fix:

  • Clear out any debris from the tracks.
  • Tighten any loose hardware.
  • Warning: Don’t try to bend or hammer tracks back into shape yourself. That’s a quick way to make the problem worse—or hurt yourself.

If the tracks are damaged, it’s time to call a professional garage door technician (like us).

 

Broken or Worn Out Garage Door Springs

Torsion or extension springs are what make your heavy garage door feel light. When one breaks, the door might struggle to move—or won’t close at all.

Warning Signs:

  • You heard a loud bang in the garage.
  • The door slams shut or feels heavier than usual.
  • The opener strains or gives up when trying to close.

DIY Fix:
None. Seriously—garage door springs are dangerous and under high tension. Leave this one to the pros.

Limit Settings Are Off

Your garage door opener tells the door how far to travel using limit settings. If they’re off, your door might stop too soon or even reverse before touching the ground.

How It Happens:

  • Power outages or surges can reset the settings.
  • General wear and tear over time.

DIY Fix:
Check your owner’s manual or the opener itself—most models have small dials or screws labeled “up” and “down” or “open” and “close.” Carefully adjust the “down” limit a little at a time and test.

Pro Tip: If your door closes all the way and then pops back open, your settings are likely telling it that it hit the ground too soon. Adjust until the door closes and stays closed.

Obstructions or Damage to the Door

It might seem obvious, but sometimes the problem is physical. Look closely at your garage door and the space around it.

What to Check:

  • Something blocking the door’s path (broom handle, trash can, toy).
  • Panels are bent or cracked.
  • Rollers are worn out or popping out of the tracks.

DIY Fix:
Remove anything in the door’s way. If a panel or roller looks damaged, that’s a job for a garage door technician.

Cold Weather Problems

Here in Texas, we don’t deal with blizzards often—but cold snaps and moisture can still mess with your garage door.

Cold Weather Can Cause:

  • Metal to contract, causing parts to misalign.
  • Ice to build up near the bottom seal.
  • Lubrication to thicken, slowing movement.

DIY Fix:

  • Clear any ice or snow near the door.
  • Lubricate metal parts (tracks, rollers, hinges) with a garage-door-safe lubricant—not WD-40.

Let the garage warm up a bit if possible.

Opener Needs a Reset

Just like your phone or router, sometimes your garage door opener needs a reset.

DIY Fix:

  • Unplug the opener for 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Try the door again.
If needed, reprogram your remotes using the “learn” button on the opener (usually near the light cover).

Your Garage Door Is Just... Old

If your garage door is 15-20+ years old, the opener and parts may just be worn out. The sensors might fail often, the door might stick, or the whole system might act… a little quirky.

Signs It’s Time for an Upgrade:

  • Frequent repairs.
  • Noisy operation.
  • Poor energy efficiency.
  • Visible damage or sagging panels.

Upgrading Your Door or Opener Can Mean:

  • Quieter operation.
  • Improved security.
  • Smart features like remote access from your phone.
  • Increased curb appeal and home value.

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve tried the simple stuff and your door still won’t close, don’t push your luck. Messing with springs, tracks, or wiring without experience can be dangerous—not to mention frustrating.

At Welborn Garage, we’ve been fixing garage doors across the Dallas-Fort Worth area for decades. Our expert techs show up on time, treat your home like it’s our own, and get the job done right—the first time.

We also offer same-day service for urgent repairs, so your door won’t stay stuck halfway when you’ve got places to be.

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(214) 865-7512
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SCHEDULE ONLINE
CALL FOR SAME-DAY SERVICE
(214) 865-7512
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
SCHEDULE ONLINE
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