Garage Door Won't Open - Westport, CT
Few things are more frustrating than a garage door that won't open, especially when you need to get your car out for work or an appointment. Round Hill Garage Door Repair provides fast, same-day service for non-opening garage doors throughout Westport, CT. Our experienced technicians diagnose the cause and fix it quickly.
A garage door that won't open can have many causes, from simple fixes like dead remote batteries to serious issues like broken springs. Understanding the common causes helps you describe the problem to our technicians and sometimes identify simple fixes you can try safely.
Common Reasons Your Garage Door Won't Open
- Broken Spring: The most common cause. Springs provide the lifting force; when they break, the door becomes too heavy to lift.
- Dead Batteries: Remote or wall panel batteries are depleted. Try replacing batteries first.
- Power Issue: Opener unplugged or circuit breaker tripped. Check the outlet and breaker.
- Photo Eye Obstruction: Sensors blocked or misaligned. Check for obstructions and clean sensor lenses.
- Door Locked: Manual lock engaged on the door. Check the lock mechanism.
- Disconnected Door: Emergency release cord pulled, disconnecting door from opener.
- Frozen Door: In winter, weatherstripping can freeze to the ground.
- Opener Failure: Motor, gear, or circuit board malfunction in the opener unit.
Quick Troubleshooting Steps
Try these safe steps before calling for service:
- Check the Obvious: Is the opener plugged in? Is the circuit breaker on? Replace remote batteries.
- Look at the Sensors: Check photo-eye sensors for obstruction, dirt, or misalignment (lights should be solid).
- Try the Wall Button: If the wall button works but remote doesn't, the issue is the remote or signal.
- Check for Lock: Ensure the manual lock on the door isn't engaged.
- Listen for Motor: Does the opener motor run? Humming without movement indicates a problem.
- Look at Springs: From inside the garage, check if torsion springs have a visible gap (break).
Don't Force It
If your door won't open, don't repeatedly press the button or try to manually force it. This can cause additional damage or injury. If basic troubleshooting doesn't work, call a professional.
When to Call a Professional
Call Round Hill Garage Door Repair immediately if:
- You see a broken spring (gap in coils)
- Cables are hanging loose or frayed
- The door is off its tracks
- Basic troubleshooting doesn't resolve the issue
- You hear grinding or scraping sounds
- The opener motor runs but the door doesn't move