Fewer things are more frustrating than trying to leave your house in a rush only to find your garage door won’t open. Whether it’s stuck halfway, jammed at the bottom, or completely unresponsive, a malfunctioning garage door can ruin your day and even raise safety concerns. Luckily, many garage door jams are solvable with a little troubleshooting. AAA Action Garage Doors will walk you through the common causes of a stuck garage door, what you can do to fix it, and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Common Reasons Your Garage Door Gets Stuck or Jammed
Before jumping into solutions, it helps to know what might be causing the problem. Here are some of the most common culprits:
• Broken or Worn-out Springs
• Damaged or Misaligned Tracks
• Obstructions in the Rollers or Tracks
• Faulty Garage Door Opener
• Power Supply Issues
• Engaged Manual Lock or Disconnect Switch
What to Do When Your Garage Door Is Stuck:
Stay Calm and Check the Basics
Sometimes the issue is simple. Check the following:
• Is the garage door opener plugged in?
• Is the circuit breaker tripped?
• Is the remote battery working?
• Is there a power outage?
• Is the garage door lock engaged?
If everything seems fine and your garage door is still stuck, move on to the next steps.
Try Operating the Door Manually
If your garage door is stuck and the opener isn’t working, disconnect the automatic opener and try lifting it manually. Pull the emergency release cord which is usually a red handle hanging from the opener rail. Try to lift the door slowly. If it moves easily, the problem may be with the opener. If it’s difficult to lift or won’t budge, there is likely a mechanical issue with the door itself. Never attempt to lift a very heavy or jammed door by force it could be dangerous if a spring or cable is broken.
Inspect the Tracks and Rollers
Examine the garage door tracks on both sides, are they dirty or full of debris, are the rollers off track or is there visible rust, denting, or misalignment? Clean the tracks with a cloth and mild cleaner and remove any obstructions. If rollers are off-track, you will need professional help to reset them safely.
Look for Broken Springs or Cables
Torsion or extension springs bear the weight of the garage door. If a spring breaks, the door won’t lift. Common signs of broken springs include a loud bang when it breaks, the door feels unusually heavy or there are visible gaps in the torsion spring. Never attempt to repair or replace garage door springs yourself. They are under high tension and can cause serious injury. Always call a professional for spring-related issues.
Check the Garage Door Opener
If your garage door works manually but not with the opener try using the wall switch instead of the remote. Check the safety sensors near the floor, are they aligned? Are they blocked or dirty? Listen for unusual sounds from the opener. Resetting the opener or cleaning the sensors may help. If not, you might need to replace or repair the opener.
When to Call a Professional
While some garage door issues are easy fixes, others require specialized tools and experience. Call a garage door professional if:
• The springs or cables are broken.
• The door is off-track or uneven.
• The opener motor is malfunctioning.
• The door is stuck halfway and you can’t move it safely.
• DIY fixes haven’t resolved the issue.
Garage Door Services in Aliante, Centennial, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
Attempting complicated repairs on your own can be dangerous. It’s always safer and often cheaper to let a trained technician handle the problem. A stuck garage door can be more than an inconvenience it can pose a safety risk and even trap your vehicle. Dealing with a stubborn garage door right now? Contact AAA Action Garage Doors today.
