Imagine you’re in a hurry to leave home, and your garage door keeps stopping halfway. It can be pretty annoying, right? Don’t worry, this guide will help you know how to fix a garage door that keeps stopping. But first, let’s familiarize with some terms.
Garage Door: A large door on a garage that can either open manually or by an electric motor.
Garage Door Opener: A motorized gadget that opens and closes garage doors, usually controlled by switches on the garage wall or by remote controls.
Garage Door Sensors: These are small devices that send a signal to the garage door opener to stop closing if an object or person in the doors’ path.
Garage Door Tracks: These are the metal parts that guide the garage door as itr opns and closes.
Garage Door Rollers: These are wheels that move along the tracks to open and close the garage door.
Garage Door Springs: These control the motion of the door. They help to lift and lower the door.
Now that you know these basic terms, we can start our guide to fix your stubborn garage door. Remmeber, this guide is a simple way, and if any serious problems occur, its always best to call a professional.
What’s the Issue with a Garage Door that Keeps Stopping?
Just picture this: you’re trying to get your car out, or maybe you’re trying to put it back in the garage. But all of a sudden, the garage door won’t open fully. It just keeps stopping halfway. That can create a barrier, right? So let’s try to understand why this happens…
Common Reasons Why Garage Doors Stop Working
There could be many reasons why your garage door is not functioning properly. Here are a few common ones:
- Blockages in the track
- Battery issues in the remote
- Broken springs or cables
- Motor problems
- Limit settings are off
Note: Limit settings refer to the controls that tell your garage door how far to open or close.
Fixing Garage Door that Keeps Stopping
1. Check for Blockages
Something could be obstructing the path of the door. Check the tracks to ensure nothing is blocking.
2. Check the Battery
Try changing the batteries in the remote. Sometimes, the issue is as simple as that.
3. Inspect the Springs and Cables
If your garage door’s springs or cables are damaged, they need to be replaced. Remember, the garage door is heavy so be careful while doing this.
“When dealing with springs and cables, it’s better to call professionals. The risk of injury is high; it’s not worth the risk for DIYers.”
4. Check the Motor
The issue could be with the motor. If your door opens a little, then stops, the motor might need replacing.
5. Adjust Limit Settings
If your door opens and closes only partially, adjusting your garage door opener’s limit settings might solve the problem.
| Blockages in Track | Remove Obstructions |
| Remote’s Battery Issues | Replace Batteries |
| Damage to Springs or Cables | Replace Springs/Cables (recommended by professionals) |
| Motor Problems | Replace Motor |
| Off Limit Settings | Adjust Settings |
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve got an idea of the problems that can cause your garage door to keep stopping and how to resolve them, you can tackle the issue head-on. But remember, if the job gets too complicated, don’t hesitate to call in the pros. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Note: Always switch off the electricity before you start working on the garage door to avoid potential shocks.
Q: Why does my garage door stop halfway?
A: A garage door could stop halfway due to several reasons including obstruction in the path, misaligned sensors, worn out springs, or even a malfunctioning motor. It’s important to identify the cause first to fix the problem.
Q: How do I fix a garage door that’s not opening fully?
A: If your garage door is not opening fully, it may be due to an issue with the up-limit switch. Adjusting the up limit switch to the correct level might solve the problem. However, if the problem persists, professional assistance may be needed.
Q: Can sensor alignment issue cause the garage door to keep stopping?
A: Yes, misaligned sensors are one of the common reasons why a garage door stops abruptly. Sensors ensure the path is clear for the door to operate, and if they are misaligned, they may sense an obstruction causing the door to stop.
Q: How can I align the sensors on my garage door?
A: To align your garage door sensors, you’ll need to gently push the sensors using your hand in a way that their lights point at each other until their indicator lights are no longer blinking but are solid. This indicates that the sensors are well-aligned.
Q: Can poor lubrication cause a garage door to keep stopping?
A: Yes, the lack of proper lubrication can cause the garage door opener’s parts to run roughly against each other, resulting in the door stopping frequently. You should regularly lubricate the chains, springs, and other moving parts with a high-quality, garage-specific lubricant.
Q: How often should I Lubricate my garage door opener’s parts?
A: As the rule of thumb, you should lubricate the movable parts of your garage door every six months. However, if your garage door operates more than average, lubrication should be done more frequently.
Q: Should I repair the garage door by myself?
A: While some common issues like misaligned sensors or an off-track door can be fixed with simple DIY methods, it’s always advisable to hire a professional for more serious problems like spring tension issues or opener motor problems, for safety reasons.
Q: When should I call a professional to repair my garage door?
A: If you’ve tried basic troubleshooting like sensor realignment or lubrication and your garage door continues to stop midway, it’s time to call a professional. Issues like broken springs or a malfunctioning motor should also be handled by a professional.
