Garage Door Won’t Open? Here’s What Might Be Wrong

A garage door that will not open can stop your whole day. You may be late for work. Your car may be stuck inside. Or you may worry that something is broken and unsafe. The good news is that most garage door problems have simple causes. Many issues can be spotted early. In this post, VIP Garage Door Repair will walk you through the most common reasons a garage door won’t open and what you can do next.

Our goal is to keep this helpful and easy to read. Let’s take a clear look at the most likely problems.

1. The Power Source Is Off
   Sometimes the fix is simple. Your garage door opener needs power to work. If the door will not open at all, start by checking these things:

Check the outlet
Make sure the opener is plugged in. A loose plug can stop the opener from working.

Check the breaker
Look at your home’s electrical panel. If the breaker for the garage is off, flip it back on.

Check for power outages
If the power is out in your neighborhood, the opener will not work until power comes back.

If everything looks fine but the opener still has no power, you may need a technician to inspect the opener.

2. The Remote Control Is Not Working
   This is one of the most common issues. If the wall button works but the remote does not, try the following:

Replace the batteries
Remote batteries run out faster than most people expect. Swap them with new ones.

Move closer
Some remotes have a short range. Stand closer to the garage door and try again.

Reprogram the remote
Sometimes the remote may lose its connection to the opener. Look for the “Learn” button on the opener and follow the steps in the manual to reprogram the remote.

If none of these steps help, you may need a new remote or a checkup on the opener’s receiver.

3. The Door Is Locked
   Many garage doors have a manual lock, often a handle on the outside or a knob on the inside. If the lock is turned, the opener cannot move the door.

Check for a manual lock bar
If your door has sliding bars, make sure they are not pushed into the track.

Check inside the garage
Make sure no child safety locks or old security devices are engaged.

Unlocking the door may be all you need.

4. The Photo Eye Sensors Are Blocked
   Modern garage doors have two small sensors near the bottom of the door tracks. These sensors shoot a beam of light across the door. If anything blocks the beam, the door will not close—or sometimes it may not open right.

Look for dirt or dust
Wipe the sensors with a soft cloth.

Make sure nothing is in the way
A broom, trash can, or even a leaf can break the sensor beam.

Check alignment
If a sensor is bumped, even a little, the beam will not line up. Gently adjust the sensors until both lights glow steady.

If the sensors still do not work, they may need repair or replacement.

5. The Garage Door Tracks Are Not Aligned
   Your garage door runs on metal tracks. If the tracks bend or shift, the door can get stuck.

Look for gaps
Stand inside the garage and look along the tracks. If you see gaps between the rollers and the track, you may have a problem.

Look for dents
A dent in the track can make the rollers stop moving.

Track alignment issues can be dangerous to fix on your own. If you notice any track damage, it’s time to call VIP Garage Door Repair.

6. The Springs Are Broken
   Garage door springs do most of the heavy lifting. When a spring breaks, the door becomes too heavy for the opener to move.

How to tell if a spring is broken
You may hear a loud “bang” when it snaps.
The door may lift only a few inches and stop.
You may see a visible gap in the torsion spring above the door.
Important: Do not try to lift the door or repair the springs yourself. Springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury. Call a trained technician right away.

7. The Cables Are Damaged or Loose
   Cables help the springs lift the door. If a cable snaps or comes loose, the door will not open.

Warning signs
The door lifts unevenly
One side looks lower than the other
You see a loose cable hanging near the tracks
Broken cables can also be dangerous. This repair needs a professional.

8. The Garage Door Opener Motor Has Failed
   Over time, garage door opener motors wear out. You may hear the motor run, but the door won’t move. Or the motor may make no sound at all.

Here are signs the motor may be failing:

The opener runs but nothing happens
You smell something burning
The opener is very loud
The opener works sometimes but not always
If your opener is old—usually 10–15 years—it may be time for a replacement. New models are quieter, stronger, and offer smart features.

9. The Door Is Off the Track
   A door can come off the track if something blocks it, if a cable breaks, or if the rollers wear out.

How to spot this

You see rollers outside the track
The door is crooked
The door will not move at all
Never try to force a door back onto the track. This can cause more damage and may make the repair cost higher. A trained technician can realign the door safely.

You Need Routine Maintenance**
Many garage door problems come from lack of maintenance. A garage door has many moving parts. If you do not lubricate them or inspect them once in a while, they wear out faster.

Regular tune-ups can:

Reduce sudden breakdowns
Make your door quieter
Extend the life of springs, rollers, and the opener
VIP Garage Door Repair offers maintenance that can keep your door running smooth all year.

When to Call VIP Garage Door Repair

If you have checked the simple things—like power, sensors, and remotes—and the door still will not open, it’s time to call a professional. Some repairs, like springs and cables, are dangerous for homeowners to handle. Our trained technicians can diagnose the issue fast and repair it safely.

We provide:

Same-day service Emergency repairs Spring and cable replacement Opener repair and installation Track alignment Full garage door tune-ups

Final Thoughts

A garage door that will not open can feel stressful, but the cause is often easy to find. Start with the simple checks. Look at your power source, your remote, and your sensors. If the problem is more serious—like broken springs or cables—VIP Garage Door Repair is ready to help.

If you need fast, safe, and expert service, reach out to VIP Garage Door Repair. We are here to get your door working again and keep your home safe.