Top Reasons Why Garage Doors Will Not Close
Top Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close – Advice from a Michigan LiftMaster Dealer
As the owner of Ace Door Company here in Michigan, I’ve been working on garage doors for over 30 years, and I’ve seen just about every reason why a garage door refuses to close. Whether it's a safety feature doing its job or something that needs repair, there are a handful of common culprits I see all the time. If your garage door won't close, this guide will walk you through the most likely causes—and what you can do about them.
1. Misaligned or Blocked Safety Sensors
The most common issue I run into is a problem with the photo-eye safety sensors. These are located near the floor on either side of your garage door. They shoot an invisible beam across the opening, and if that beam is blocked—even by a leaf, some dust, or a spider web—the door won’t close.
Also, these sensors can get knocked out of alignment. Even just a small bump from a trash can or broom can cause them to misfire. Make sure they’re clean, aimed directly at each other, and the LED lights on each sensor are lit and steady.
2. Track Misalignment or Obstructions
If your garage door tracks are bent, shifted, or blocked by debris, the door may stop partway or reverse itself as a safety measure. I’ve seen everything from bikes leaning on tracks to bent rails after someone backed into the door. Take a close look at the tracks on both sides—if anything looks out of line or damaged, it’s best to have a pro fix it before it causes further issues.
3. Worn-Out or Dirty Rollers
Over time, garage door rollers wear down, get dirty, or lose lubrication. When that happens, the door may not move smoothly and can stop or even reverse unexpectedly. You might also hear screeching or grinding noises. Keeping your rollers cleaned and lubricated (using a garage-door-safe lubricant) can make a big difference in performance and longevity.
4. Opener Limit Settings Are Off
Your opener’s limit settings tell the garage door how far to travel when opening and closing. If those settings are wrong—especially after a new installation or power outage—the door might think it hit something before it actually touches the ground and reverse itself.
You can usually adjust the limit settings on your LiftMaster opener, but if you're not comfortable doing that, just give us a call. As a factory-authorized LiftMaster dealer, we know these systems inside and out.
5. Problems With the Remote or Wall Button
Sometimes the issue is as simple as a dead battery in your remote or interference with the signal. Try using the wall button to see if the door responds. If it works from the wall but not the remote, swap the batteries or reprogram the remote. If neither works, there might be a deeper electrical issue with the opener or wiring.
✅ Still Stuck? Call the Pros at Ace Door Company
If you’ve run through these checks and your garage door still won’t close, don’t sweat it—we’re here to help. At Ace Door Company, we’ve been proudly serving Michigan homeowners since 2002, and we’re a factory-authorized LiftMaster dealer, which means we carry and install some of the most reliable openers on the market.
Give us a call or contact us online for fast, honest service you can count on. We’re always ready to get your door back on track.
(248) 761-1711