Garage Door Won't Open? Here's What to Do (Step-by-Step Guide)

Your garage door won't open and you need to get to work. Before you panic, there are several common causes and a few things you can safely check before calling a professional.

1. Check the Obvious First

Is the opener plugged in? It sounds simple, but power outages, tripped breakers, or accidentally unplugged cords are the #1 reason garage doors suddenly stop working. Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker labeled "garage."

Are the remote batteries dead? Replace the batteries in your remote and try again. If the wall button inside the garage works but the remote doesn't, it's almost certainly a battery issue.

Is the door locked? Many garage doors have a manual lock on the inside. If someone locked it, the opener motor will strain but the door won't move.

2. Check the Safety Sensors

Every modern garage door has photo-eye sensors near the floor on both sides of the door. If these sensors are misaligned, dirty, or blocked, your door won't close (and sometimes won't open).

Quick fix: Clean both sensor lenses with a soft cloth. Make sure nothing is blocking the beam between them. Check that both sensor lights are steady (not blinking).

3. Listen for Clues

Motor runs but door doesn't move: This usually indicates a broken spring or disconnected drive. Do NOT attempt to force the door. Broken springs are extremely dangerous.

Grinding or scraping sounds: The door may be off its tracks or have damaged rollers. Stop using the door immediately to prevent further damage.

Clicking but no movement: The opener's gear or drive mechanism may be stripped. This requires professional repair.

4. Try the Emergency Release

Every garage door opener has a red emergency release cord hanging from the track. Pulling this cord disconnects the door from the opener, allowing manual operation.

Important: Only use the emergency release when the door is CLOSED. Opening a door with broken springs using the emergency release can cause the door to slam down uncontrollably.

5. When to Call a Professional

Call a professional garage door technician if:

• You hear a loud bang (broken spring)
• The door is visibly off its tracks
• Cables are hanging loose or frayed
• The door feels extremely heavy when lifted manually
• The opener motor hums but nothing happens
• You're not comfortable diagnosing the problem

In Broward or Miami-Dade County? Call Fast Garage Door Repair at (954) 466-8053 for same-day service. We're available 24/7 for emergencies.