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Where To Buy/ServiceWhy Does My Garage Door Reverse As Soon As It Hits The Floor?
A garage door that refuses to stay closed is more than just an annoyance – it's a vulnerability in your home's security and a potential disruption to your daily routine. This frustrating issue is often due to misaligned sensors, worn-out springs, or improper force settings. Neglecting to address the problem can lead to theft, unwanted animal visitors, and decreased energy efficiency. In this article, we'll diagnose the common causes of a malfunctioning garage door and provide step-by-step solutions to restore operation. Don't risk the safety of your home and belongings; let's get your garage door working properly again.
Before you break out your toolbox or call a professional for help, take a look at your garage door's threshold. This sensitive area is designed to detect even slight obstructions for safety reasons. Debris like leaves, twigs, or small rocks can easily accumulate along the bottom of the door, tricking the system into thinking there's a blockage. Also, unevenness in the floor or a raised section of the threshold seal can give the false impression of an obstruction. Heavy rainfall or snowmelt can also cause water to pool along the threshold, leading to improper closure. If there's anything that's blocking the threshold even slightly, your garage door will sense the blockage and reverse direction to prevent damage or threats to safety.
It's essential to regularly inspect and clean the threshold, ensuring it's dry, level, and clear of any objects that could interfere with the door's ability to shut. Your garage door may even perceive a blockage in the threshold if the sensor eyes are dirty or smudged. Look for the sensors along the bottom of the door opening and clean them with a cloth to ensure they have full vision. If the threshold is clear and your sensor eyes are clean, your garage door reversing for no apparent reason could indicate a system or component issue.
The travel down setting on your garage door opener determines how far the door needs to descend before it's considered fully closed. Think of it like a predetermined stopping point. If the door reaches this point without obstruction, it will shut securely. However, if the door hits an obstruction or doesn't travel the full set distance, it will assume something is blocking it and automatically reverse. Incorrect adjustments to the travel down setting can lead to inconsistent or incomplete closure.
For example, if the setting is too short, the door may not shut all the way, leaving a gap. Conversely, setting it too long can cause the door to push beyond its natural closed position, potentially damaging the door or opener. Changes in weather conditions can also cause your garage door components to shift or contract. When that happens, the distance your garage door needs to travel may change. Adjusting the travel down setting requires a delicate balance to ensure smooth, secure closure.
The travel module in your garage door opener communicates the position of the door to the garage door opener logic board. Consider the logic board as “the brain” of your garage door opener. Both the travel module and logic board can wear out in time, so you could need a replacement.
A faulty travel module or logic board can exhibit several signs beyond the intermittent opening and closing. If your garage door struggles to find its correct closed position, frequently overshooting or undershooting before reversing, this could indicate poor communication from the travel module. Similarly, if the door opener's force setting seems inconsistent, requiring excessive power to move the door, this might point to a logic board issue. Unusual noises from the opener, like clicking or humming when the door isn't moving, can also suggest electronic problems. In some cases, the opener may not respond to commands at all, or its lights may flash in a pattern indicating an error code. When the travel module wears out, it can no longer communicate the garage door's position to the logic board and can cause your garage door to close, then open (and vice versa) without explanation. If your travel module or logic board is worn out, the best course of action is to install a new opener.
The close-force setting on your garage door opener determines the power used to lower the door. Think of it as the "strength" the opener applies to shut the door. If the force setting is too low, the opener may lack the necessary force to overcome the door's weight, causing it to struggle or stop short of the fully closed position. This can trigger the reversal mechanism, reopening the door for safety.
On the other hand, setting the close-force too high can also be a problem. It can cause the door to shut with excessive speed or impact, potentially damaging the door and its mechanisms over time. It's important to find the optimal close-force setting that securely shuts the door without triggering early reversal or excessive force. Your garage door opener should have a screw that allows you to adjust this setting. You can learn more about it in your opener's manual.
Sometimes, your garage door will behave oddly when the battery in your remote is dying. To check, see if your wall switch allows the door to close completely. If it functions normally with the wall switch, a battery replacement will likely solve your issue. If the battery isn't the culprit, the programming might be. Here are some issues to watch for:
Intermittent Operation
If your garage door only closes sporadically when using the remote, it may indicate a weak battery signal. Try replacing the batteries or checking for corrosion on the battery contacts.
Delayed Response
If there's a noticeable lag between pressing the remote button and the door responding, this could suggest a dying battery or interference from other devices.
No Response
If the remote fails to operate the door at all, but the wall switch works fine, it’s likely a programming issue with the remote.
Operating On Its Own
In rare cases, a faulty remote might cause the garage door to open or close on its own. This is a serious safety issue requiring immediate attention.
Try a Reset
If you've ruled out battery issues, reprogramming the remote as outlined in your opener's manual may resolve the problem. If issues persist after reprogramming, it may be time to replace the remote.
If you've ever installed a new keypad, you probably remember working through the initial programming process. If there’s an issue between your keypad and your door it may need to be reset.
If your wall switch still works, but your remote and keypad do not, a reset might fix your problem. Find the user manual for your garage door opener to work through the reprogramming steps.
When your springs or rollers are worn or misaligned, the door has to work harder to close. This excess friction can cause the door to stop closing. Springs and rollers bear the weight of the door and enable its movement along the track. When they're in good condition, the door glides effortlessly. However, as springs weaken and rollers wear down, they increase the friction and resistance the door must overcome. This excess strain can cause the door to struggle or refuse to close completely, triggering the safety reversal mechanism for protection against perceived obstructions.
Misaligned rollers can further aggravate the issue, as the door then has to fight against the uneven tracking. Attempting to force the door closed in such a state can lead to more severe problems, like bent tracks or broken springs, resulting in costly repairs.
Sometimes, lubricating the springs and rollers can fix this problem by reducing some of the friction. Yet, if there's noticeable rust, corrosion, or significant wear, these parts should be replaced to ensure the long-term reliability of your garage door system. Don't underestimate the importance of properly functioning springs and rollers in a functioning door.
Step 1: Identify the Obstruction
The most common reason for unexpected reversal is an obstruction in the door's path. Check the threshold area for any objects, debris, or unevenness preventing the door from closing fully. Ensure the threshold seal is securely attached and not raised in a way that could trigger the obstruction sensor.
Step 2: Inspect and Clean the Sensors
The sensors along the floor on both sides of the garage door detect obstructions. Make sure they're clean, aligned, and not blocked by anything. Dirt, cobwebs, or misalignment can trick the sensors into thinking there's an obstruction. Gently wipe the sensors with a cloth and mild cleaner. Adjust their position if necessary to ensure they're pointing directly at each other and level with the ground.
Step 3: Check the Force Setting
If the door is reversing without hitting an obstruction, the force setting might be too high. Consult your garage door opener's manual for specific instructions on adjusting the force setting. Typically, you'll find a screw or dial on the opener itself. Reduce the force setting slightly and test the door again. It may take some trial and error to find the optimal setting.
Step 4: Look for Other Issues
If the above steps don't resolve the issue, there could be other problems at play. Check for worn or misaligned rollers, as excess friction can cause the door to reverse. Inspect the springs for signs of wear or rust. If the door is old or these parts are damaged, consider replacing them. Also, ensure the garage door track is securely attached to the wall and not loose or bent.
Step 5: Consult a Professional
If you've checked all the above and the door continues to reverse unexpectedly, it may be a more complex issue with the garage door opener's logic board or safety reversal mechanism. Don't hesitate to consult a professional garage door technician for further diagnosis and repair.
We know that a garage door that won't stay closed can be frustrating. Common causes include obstructions in the threshold, misaligned sensors, improper force or travel settings, worn-out springs or rollers, and issues with the travel module or logic board. But by methodically diagnosing the problem and implementing the appropriate solution, you can often resolve the issue yourself. However, for more complex problems, don't hesitate to consult a professional garage door technician. Regular maintenance checks, like cleaning sensors and lubricating springs and rollers, can go a long way in preventing future issues.
At Clopay, we work with a nationwide network of Elite Authorized, Master Authorized and Advanced Authorized Dealers. These are local service professionals who provide outstanding customer care. Many of our dealers also offer quality garage door opener maintenance, repair and installation. Use our dealer locator to find a Clopay Dealer near you.
Our authorized dealers are extensively trained and knowledgeable about the full range of Clopay products and services. They can provide expert advice on selecting the right garage door and opener system for your specific needs and budget. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, these professionals have the skills and experience to keep your garage door operating at its best. By choosing a Clopay authorized dealer, you're ensuring you receive exceptional service and support for your investment. Don't settle for anything less than the quality workmanship and customer care our nationwide network of authorized dealers provides.
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