Garage Door Stuck Open
My garage door is stuck open and won't close — what now?
What is actually causing it
Most likely first, based on what our crews find on the call.
01Blocked or misaligned safety sensors
The most common and most fixable cause. The opener will raise a door all day but refuses to lower one when the beam is broken. Clear the path, wipe both lenses, confirm both LEDs are steady.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
02Broken spring caught the door at the top
A spring that failed on the up-cycle can leave the door parked open with nothing holding it but the opener. Do not pull the emergency release — with no counterbalance the door will drop under its own weight. Keep people and cars out from under the opening and call.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
03Opener has lost power mid-cycle
Check the outlet, the GFCI and the breaker. If the power is genuinely out, the manual release is the way down — but only after you have confirmed the springs are intact.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
04Wall control or remote stuck sending
A jammed wall button or a remote wedged in a pocket holds the opener in a state where it will not accept a close command. Unplug the opener for thirty seconds, then unplug the wall control lead and try again.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
05Door off track at the top of travel
If the door is open and visibly cocked in the opening, it is off track and cannot be closed safely. Nothing should pass under it until it is secured.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
06Logic board failure after a surge
A board that survives the up command and fails the down command is a real and common failure mode, especially on units on an unprotected circuit.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
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Frequently asked questions
My garage door is stuck open and won't close — what now?
Is this safe for me to fix myself?
How much will the repair cost?
Are you licensed?
Describe the noise. We will tell you what broke.
Most calls are diagnosed in under two minutes, with a price range before anyone drives out.
CA-GARAGEDOOR California — California contractor licence CSLB #1098234. Licensed, bonded and insured. 1-year parts & labor.