A door that won't budge feels like a crisis, especially with a car trapped behind it before work. But the cause is often something simple, and checking takes minutes. Run this list top to bottom before you pick up the phone - even to call us.
1. Check the basics first
- Replace the remote batteries and try the wall button instead
- Confirm the opener has power - check the outlet and breaker
- Look for the lock/vacation switch on the wall console; it disables remotes
2. Look at the safety sensors
The two small sensors near the floor must see each other. If either LED is blinking or off, clear any obstruction, wipe the lenses, and gently realign the brackets until both lights are solid.
3. Check if the trolley is disconnected
If the motor runs but the door doesn't move, someone may have pulled the red emergency release. With the door fully closed, pull the cord toward the door to re-engage, then run the opener.
4. Look up at the spring - then stop
If you see a gap in the coil above the door, the spring is broken and the door is now dead weight. Do not keep running the opener and do not lift the door by hand - a door without spring counterbalance can cause serious injury. This one is a professional repair, and we treat it as an emergency call.
One more for Colorado winters
On sub-freezing mornings, meltwater can bond the bottom seal to the slab overnight. Don't force the opener - it will strip gears or tear the seal. Break the ice bond gently along the bottom of the door first, then try again.
If none of that worked
A door that still won't open usually has a failed spring, snapped cable, or burned-out opener - all same-day fixes for a stocked truck. Call us and a technician will be on the way.
