Why Won’t My Garage Door Close All the Way? Common Causes & How Legacy Garage Doors Can Help

If you’ve noticed that your garage door won’t close all the way, it can be frustrating—and even a security risk for your home. Fortunately, this is a common issue that can often be fixed quickly by addressing a few key factors. Understanding why your garage door is behaving this way will help you decide the best next steps to get it working smoothly again.

Common Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Close Fully

1. Misaligned or Blocked Safety Sensors

Most modern garage doors have safety sensors located near the bottom of each side of the door frame. These sensors use infrared beams to detect anything in the door’s path. If the sensors are dirty, misaligned, or blocked by an object—even a spider web—the door will automatically reverse and refuse to close fully to prevent injury or damage. Check for:

• Dirt, dust, or spider webs on the sensor lenses

• Sensors knocked out of alignment (LED lights on sensors should be steady green)

• Objects or debris blocking the sensor line

  
  

2. Obstructions in the Door Tracks

If something is physically blocking the garage door tracks or rollers, it can prevent the door from closing properly. Look for small debris, stones, or bent tracks that might hinder smooth door operation.

3. Faulty Garage Door Opener or Wiring Issues

Sometimes the problem is electrical. A failing opener motor, broken gears, or damaged wiring can interfere with the door’s ability to close fully. This is especially common in older openers or after storms or power surges.

4. Limit Settings Need Adjustment

Your garage door opener has limit switches that tell the door when to stop opening or closing. If these are out of adjustment, the door might think it has hit the ground when it hasn’t, causing it to stop prematurely.

Why DIY Fixes Can Be Risky

While some homeowners feel confident attempting simple fixes like cleaning sensors or clearing debris, garage doors are heavy and under tension. Incorrect repairs, especially with springs or openers, can lead to injury or further damage to your door.

How Legacy Garage Doors Can Help

At Legacy Garage Doors, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing all types of garage door issues in Monmouth County and surrounding areas. Our experienced technicians will:

• Inspect and realign your safety sensors

• Clear and repair tracks and rollers

• Test and repair garage door openers and wiring

• Adjust limit settings for proper door travel

• Provide same-day service and emergency repairs

  
  

Our goal is to get your garage door operating safely and smoothly so you can protect your home and enjoy hassle-free access.

If your garage door won’t close all the way, don’t wait until it gets worse. Contact Legacy Garage Doors today for fast, reliable garage door repair services in Monmouth and Ocean County, NJ. Call us now or schedule a service appointment online!