What to Do if Your Home’s Garage Door Is Stuck

Posted on May 15, 2024May 24, 2024

Few things are as frustrating for homeowners as encountering a stuck garage door. Whether it’s due to mechanical issues, electrical malfunctions, or other factors, a stuck garage door can disrupt your daily routine and affect the security of your home.

In this guide, we’ll explore what to do if your home’s garage door is stuck and offer practical tips to help you address the problem effectively. If you find yourself facing off against a reluctant garage door, keep reading for great troubleshooting advice.

Assess the Situation

The first step when dealing with a stuck garage door is to assess the situation calmly and carefully. To try and find the cause of the problem, take note of any of the following signs:

• Unusual sounds
• Movements
• Visible damage 

Look for obstructions and check the condition of the springs and cables. Inspect the opener mechanism for any visible issues.

Check the Power Source

If your garage door opener is not responding, check the power source to ensure that it’s connected and functioning correctly. Make sure that the opener is plugged in and that the fuse or circuit breaker controlling the garage door opener has not tripped or blown. 

Sometimes, a simple power outage or electrical issue can be the reason a garage door is stuck.

Try Manual Operation

You can try to operate the door manually. Most garage doors have a manual release system that let you to disengage the opener and open or close the door manually. 

Locate the manual release cord or lever, usually hanging from the opener rail, and pull it down to release the door from the opener carriage. Then, lift the door manually or use the emergency release handle to move it along the tracks.

Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts

One common cause of a stuck garage door is friction or binding in the door tracks or moving parts. Inspect the tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs for any signs of damage or wear. Check to see if there is debris buildup that may be impeding the door’s movement. 

Clean the tracks with soap and a brush to remove dirt and grime. Then lubricate the moving parts with a silicone-based garage door lubricant to reduce friction and improve operation.

Address Spring or Cable Issues

Faulty or broken springs and cables are frequent culprits of stuck doors. If you suspect that a spring or cable is damaged, broken, or worn out, it’s important to tackle the issue quickly to stop more damage or injury. 

However, spring and cable repairs can be dangerous and should be handled by a trained professional. Contact a reputable garage door repair company to assess the problem and perform any needed repairs or replacements safely.

Preventative Garage Door Maintenance Tips

While some minor problems may be resolved with DIY troubleshooting and repairs, it’s generally advisable to leave more complex or hazardous situations to professionals who understand the different types of garage doors.

Test the safety features regularly, and avoid DIY repairs or modifications that could compromise the door’s integrity. Misaligned tracks or bent tracks can cause the rollers to get stuck, hindering the door’s operation. So it’s best to only let professionals work on your garage door.

It’s also important to keep the tracks clean and lubricated at all times. Sticking can of side-hinged-doors can occur if the hinges are rusty or if there are obstructions preventing smooth movement.

Schedule annual garage door inspections and tune-ups with a professional technician to identify and fix possible issues before they escalate. 

Common Causes of Stuck Garage Doors

Various factors can cause a garage door to become stuck or fail to operate properly. Here are some common causes why garage doors do not open properly:

If your sectional door is stuck, it may be due to misaligned tracks or damaged rollers.

Issues with the spring mechanism or tracks can cause roll-up doors to become stuck.

If your slide-to-the-side door is stuck, check for obstructions along the tracks or issues with the rollers.

Torsion or extension springs support the weight of the garage door and facilitate its movement. When a spring breaks, the door may become unbalanced, making it difficult or impossible to open or close. Broken springs are a common cause of sudden garage door problems and need professional repair or replacement.

Worn-out or damaged rollers or hinges can cause friction or binding in the garage door’s movement, leading to sticking or jamming. Regular lubrication and maintenance of rollers and hinges can help prevent premature wear and prolong their lifespan.

Problems with the garage door opener, such as electrical issues, sensor misalignment, or motor failure, can stop the door from opening or closing properly.

Faulty wiring, worn-out components, or programming errors can also contribute to opener malfunctions.

If the safety sensors are misaligned or blocked by dirt or debris, they may prevent the door from closing properly, causing it to get stuck or reverse unexpectedly.

Garage door cables work together with the springs to support the door’s weight and facilitate smooth movement. If a cable becomes loose, frayed, or broken, it can disrupt the balance of the door and cause it to become stuck or operate unevenly.

Extreme temperatures, humidity, or changes in weather conditions can affect the operation of garage doors, particularly if they are not properly insulated or sealed. Parts expanding or contracting in response to temperature changes may lead to sticking or binding.

Garage Door Is Stuck: Troubleshooting Tips

It can be a frustrating experience when your garage door is stuck. However, by following these tips, you can effectively troubleshoot and address the problem to keep your home safe and secure. Minor issues may be fixed through DIY troubleshooting, but a stuck garage door may need the help of professionals.

If you are in a pinch with a stuck garage door, R&S Doors should be your first call. With 22 repair and installation shops, we’re the largest network of full-service door, dock, and gate companies on the West Coast. We are proud of our exceptional services and are ready to assist you.