A garage door that won’t close is a security and weather problem that needs to be fixed the same day — especially in Calgary winter. Before calling for service, work through these seven causes in order. Many are fixable in minutes without any tools.
Cause 1: Sensor Obstruction or Misalignment
The photo-eye sensors at the bottom of the door tracks prevent the door from closing if the beam is blocked. Check that nothing is in the door path — a garden tool, a box, even a leaf or spiderweb on the sensor lens can trigger it. Check that both sensor LEDs are lit solid. If the receiving sensor (green LED) is blinking, it is not receiving the beam — gently move it until the LED becomes solid.
Cause 2: Travel Limit Setting
The opener has a down-travel limit that tells it how far the door should travel before it is fully closed. If this setting has drifted — which can happen over time or after a power interruption — the opener thinks the door is closed before it reaches the floor and reverses. The travel limit adjustment is on the opener itself — consult the manual for your specific model.
Cause 3: Broken Spring
A broken torsion spring makes the door too heavy for the opener to pull down consistently. The opener may start to close and then reverse when it senses the resistance. Test this by disconnecting the opener and manually trying to close the door. If the door is very heavy or falls faster than you can control it, a spring has broken. Call for same-day spring repair.
Cause 4: Bent or Misaligned Track
If the track is bent or misaligned, the door may hit the obstruction before fully closing and reverse. Look down the track from door level — any kinks, bends or gaps between the door rollers and the track indicate a track problem. This needs professional repair.
Cause 5: Logic Board Issue
The opener’s logic board controls all functions. If it has partially failed, the door may open normally but not close. This is less common than the above causes but more common in openers that are 10+ years old. A power reset — unplug the opener for 30 seconds and plug back in — sometimes resolves a logic board glitch. If not, the board may need replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my garage door close in Calgary?
Work through these causes: sensor obstruction or misalignment, travel limit setting, broken spring, bent track, logic board failure. Sensor issues cause most cases and can be fixed in minutes.
My garage door reverses immediately when trying to close. What's wrong?
Either the safety sensors are misaligned (green sensor LED will be blinking) or something is blocking the sensor beam. Check both sensor LEDs — both should be solid, not blinking. Clear any obstructions.
Can a broken spring stop my garage door from closing?
Yes. A broken spring makes the door very heavy. The opener may start closing and then reverse when it senses the resistance. Disconnect the opener and manually try to close the door — if it's very heavy, a spring has broken.
What should I do if my garage door won't close at night in Calgary winter?
Call Super G&R Garage Door Repairs at (825) 438-2406 immediately. Do not leave it open overnight — this is both a security and weather emergency. We provide 24/7 emergency service.
Ready to book? Call (825) 438-2406 or visit our contact page. Same-day service across Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks and surrounding communities.
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