Is your garage door refusing to close all the way? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common issues homeowners face, and it can make you feel stuck—literally. Whether the door stops halfway, reverses at the bottom, or leaves a frustrating gap, the root of the problem usually isn’t too mysterious.

At PDX Garage Door, we’ve seen just about every garage door quirk imaginable across the Portland area. This guide will break down the most common reasons why a garage door won’t close, plus what you can do to fix it. Some problems are simple DIY tasks, while others are better left to the pros. Let’s get your garage door back on track.

Common Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close All the Way

Before grabbing your toolbox, it helps to understand what’s likely going on. Several components work together to operate your garage door, and if any one of them isn’t functioning, the whole system can go off track—sometimes literally. Here are the most frequent culprits behind a garage door that won’t close properly:

1. Misaligned or Blocked Safety Sensors

Modern garage doors come equipped with safety sensors near the bottom of the track. These infrared sensors “see” an invisible beam across the garage door opening. If something blocks that beam—or if the sensors aren’t pointing at each other—your door won’t close.

Signs Your Sensors Are to Blame:

• Door won’t shut and instead goes back up.
• LED lights on sensors are blinking or off.
• You have to hold down the wall button to make the door close.

Fixes to Try:

• Make sure the sensors are clean and free of dust or cobwebs.
• Check that both sensors are facing each other squarely.
• Look for loose wires or signs of damage.
• Realign the sensors until the LED lights stop blinking.

Note: Sensors can sometimes get bumped or knocked out of alignment, especially if you’ve been doing yard work or there’s been recent activity in the garage.

2. Obstructions in the Door’s Path

Even small items can cause a garage door to halt its downward movement. This is a built-in safety feature designed to prevent injuries and damage.

Common Obstructions:

• Yard tools or toys
• Extension cords or hoses
• Ice or debris stuck to the threshold
• Snow buildup near the door

Fixes to Try:

• Remove anything that could be in the way of the door’s path.
• Inspect the floor where the door meets the ground for any uneven buildup.
• Clear out mud, rocks, or other debris from the track area.

3. Track Issues

Over time, the metal tracks that guide your garage door can become bent, warped, or misaligned. Even slight imperfections in the track can prevent the door from closing smoothly.

What to Check:

• Look for bends or gaps in the rails.
• Listen for grinding noises while the door is moving.
• Note whether the door shakes or jerks as it goes down.

Fixes to Try:

• Tighten any loose bolts on the track brackets.
• Use a rubber mallet to gently bend minor warps back into place.
• If the track is badly damaged or out of line—call a professional.

Pro Tip: Avoid using force to “fix” a garage door track if you’re unsure—misalignment can lead to costly repairs or dangerous malfunctions.

4. Broken or Tension-Losing Springs

Garage door springs do the heavy lifting. When a spring breaks or loses tension, the door often won’t close completely—or it may become uneven or lopsided.

Signs of a Spring Problem:

• You see a visible gap in the torsion spring above the door.
• The door closes unevenly or won’t close at all.
• It feels unusually heavy when you try to close it manually.

Fix:

• Do not attempt this repair yourself. Garage door springs are under high tension and can be dangerous.
• Contact a professional garage door technician to replace or adjust the springs safely.

5. Limit Settings Are Incorrect

Garage door openers have “limit switches” that tell the opener how far to move the door. If these settings are wrong, the opener might think the door is closed when it’s not—or it might reverse after touching the ground.

How to Spot the Issue:

• Door closes but immediately reverses once it hits the ground.
• Door stops short of closing all the way.

Fixes to Try:

• Consult your opener’s manual for how to adjust travel limits (usually via screws on the unit).
• Carefully make small adjustments and test the door between each one.

Reminder: Adjust only what you’re comfortable with. If in doubt, we’re happy to handle it for you.

6. Disrupted Power or Connectivity

Sometimes, the problem isn’t mechanical at all. Power outages, dead batteries in your remote, or tripped circuit breakers can stop your garage door in its tracks.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Replace the batteries in your remote and keypad.
• Make sure the opener is plugged into a working outlet.
• Reset tripped breakers or blown fuses.
• Try using the wall control to see if the remote is the problem.

Troubleshooting Tips Checklist

Here’s a quick-reference checklist to walk through if your garage door won’t close:

Step	What to Check	Quick Fix
1	Safety Sensors Aligned & Clean	Adjust and wipe lenses
2	Door Path Clear	Remove obstructions
3	Tracks Intact	Tap small bends back with a mallet
4	Springs Functional	Call a pro for repair
5	Limit Settings Calibrated	Adjust on opener unit
6	Power Supply	Check connections and batteries

When You Should Call a Professional

Not sure what’s wrong—or don’t feel safe trying to fix it yourself? That’s totally okay. Garage doors are powerful systems with heavy parts and tension-loaded springs. 

Calling in a professional means:

• Accurate diagnosis the first time
• Safe handling of high-tension components
• Preventing further damage or injury
• Saving time and frustration

At PDX Garage Door, we specialize in fast, friendly garage door repairs all over Portland. Whether your issue’s big or small, we’re here to help without the hard sell.

FAQs About Garage Doors That Won’t Close

Why does my garage door close partially and then go back up?

This usually points to a sensor or limit switch issue. The door thinks there’s an object in the way or the closing setting is too sensitive.

Can cold weather affect garage doors?

Yes. Ice buildup, dried-out lubricant, or sensor misalignment from frost can all interfere with closing.

Is it safe to manually force the garage door closed?

Only if you’ve released the door from the opener and there are no signs of a broken spring. Even then, if it feels heavy or won’t move easily, stop and contact a pro.

How much does it cost to repair a garage door in Portland?

It depends on the issue. On average, minor fixes (like sensor alignment) can cost under $100, while spring replacements or track repairs may range from $150–$300+. Get in touch for a local quote.

Don’t Let a Stubborn Garage Door Keep You Stuck

A garage door that won’t close all the way is frustrating—and potentially a safety or security concern. But the good news? Most issues can be fixed quickly with the right know-how.

Start with the simple stuff: check your sensors, clear the path, and test your remote. If those don’t solve it, don’t hesitate to call the pros.

At PDX Garage Door, we’re proud to serve Portland with honest diagnostics, quality repairs, and no-pressure advice. Whether it’s a stuck door or a complete system upgrade, we’ve got your back.

Need help now? Contact PDX Garage Door today for fast and reliable garage door service anywhere in the Portland metro area.

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