Garage Door Won’t Open? 4 Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

You’re getting the kids ready for school, you’re heading to work, and just as you’re about to leave—the garage door won’t open. You’re stuck, and your car is trapped.

It always seems to happen at the worst time. Right when you’re rushing, the garage door fails. Here are the four most common reasons this happens, and how to fix or prevent them.

(1) Broken Springs (most common)

The most common issue with garage doors is a broken spring. Springs do all the heavy lifting, storing tension that makes opening and closing the door possible.

Over time, springs get dirty and wear down. Friction, dust, cobwebs, and grime gradually weaken them until they eventually snap. This happens faster if the springs aren’t lubricated and maintained regularly.

The Solution:

1. Prevent it: Lubricate the springs 2–3 times per year. Keeping them clean and oiled extends their life. A great option is 3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lubricant, available at Walmart, Home Depot, or Lowe’s.

2. If they’re broken: Call a professional to replace both springs on a two-car garage door, or the single spring on a one-car door.

Cost and Repair Time:

• $390–$800 (average around $500)

• 30–60 minutes professionally

Words of Advice:

Spring repair is the most dangerous part of garage door work. Do not attempt this on your own—it can cause severe or even fatal injuries. Always hire a professional.

(2) Door Off Track

Another common problem is the door coming off its track. This usually happens if the door comes down on an object (like a box or bike), or if a vehicle bumps it. The uneven pressure knocks one side off track while the door continues to move.

The Solution:

1. Always wait until the door is fully open before backing out of the garage.

2. Keep the path clear before lowering the door—don’t leave boxes, bikes, or other items in the way.

Cost and Repair Time:

• $150–$350

• 30–60 minutes professionally

Words of Advice:

If your door has fallen off track, don’t try to force it back in place. You could cause more damage—or injure yourself—leading to a more expensive repair.

(3) Opener Issues (remoe, sensors, motor)

Garage door openers usually last 10–15 years, depending on maintenance and usage. Over time, the motor can weaken and lose the ability to lift the door. But before assuming it’s the motor, check the simpler things first.

The two most common issues:

• Remote: Dead batteries or faulty programming. Test another remote or the wall switch to confirm.

• Sensors: Misaligned safety sensors are the #1 culprit. If the photo eyes aren’t pointing directly at each other, the door won’t close.

The Solution:

1. Replace or reprogram remotes if they’re not working.

2. Check the alignment of the safety sensors—make sure they’re pointing straight at each other.

Cost and Repair Time:

• Remotes/sensors: $30–$50 + service fee

• Opener replacement: $500–$1,000 (depending on model)

• 15–60 minutes professionally

Words of Advice:

We offer a free troubleshooting phone call to help you diagnose issues like remotes or sensors—saving you the cost of an unnecessary service fee.

If it turns out the motor is the problem, we’ll schedule a technician to replace it with a new opener.

(4) Worn Cables or Rollers

Each garage door has two cables (one on each side) that connect to the spring system. It’s rare for these to fail, but they can twist, warp, or snap over time.

Doors also rely on 10 rollers (five per side). These need regular lubrication—2–3 times per year—to keep them moving smoothly. Without maintenance, they can wear down and break.

The Solution:

• Lubricate rollers and cables regularly.

• If you notice warping or fraying cables, get them adjusted or replaced before they snap.

• Replace rollers that look cracked or worn before they cause bigger issues.

Cost and Repair Time:

• Cables: ~$30 each + service fee

• Rollers: ~$10 each + service fee

• 15–60 minutes professionally

Words of Advice:

This issue is less common, but if ignored it can cause major damage. A broken roller can knock the door off track, which may bend the panels or damage the tracks.

The best prevention is simple: lubricate moving parts a few times a year, keep the garage door path clear, and replace worn parts early. Most components last 5–15 years, so if your door is older, it’s worth scheduling an inspection.

✅ With regular maintenance—mainly keeping parts clean and lubricated—you can avoid most garage door problems. And if something does break, calling a professional is always the safest and most cost-effective choice.