Garage door won't open? What to check and when to call
Updated October 2026
A garage door that won't open usually happens at the worst time, like when you're already late. Start with the quick checks below. They fix a surprising number of stuck doors. But if you see any of the warning signs, stop and call a garage door company, because the cause is often a broken spring or cable.
Stop and call a pro if
- You heard a loud bang from the garage before the door stopped working
- There's a visible gap in a spring above the door
- A cable is loose, frayed or hanging
- The opener hums or strains and the door lifts only a few inches, then stops
- The door is crooked or out of its track
These point to a broken spring, a snapped cable or a door off its track. Don't keep pressing the button, and don't try to lift the door by hand. Read more about broken garage door springs.
1. Check the power
Look for a light on the opener. If it's dark, check that it's plugged in, test the outlet with a lamp, and check for a tripped breaker or GFCI outlet. During a power outage, see our guide to opening a garage door manually.
2. Try the wall button
If the wall button works but the remote doesn't, the problem is the remote. Replace its battery, and make sure the lock or vacation button on the wall panel isn't turned on.
3. Check the manual lock
Many doors have a slide bolt or handle lock on the inside. If it's engaged, the opener will strain against it. Unlock it and try again.
4. See if the release was pulled
If the opener motor runs but the door doesn't move, the trolley may have been disconnected by the red emergency release cord. Most openers reconnect when you run them once and the trolley clicks back into place. Your opener manual has the exact steps.
5. Look for something blocking the door
Ice along the bottom seal in winter, a bike leaning on the door, or debris in the track can all keep a door from moving. Clear what you safely can. For a frozen seal, a hair dryer on low or a plastic scraper works better than forcing the door.
6. Give the opener a reset
Unplug the opener for a minute and plug it back in. Some openers also need the travel limits reset after a power surge. Check the manual.
If your car is stuck and you need it now
If the springs and cables look fine, you can pull the release cord with the door fully closed and lift the door by hand. It should feel fairly light. If it feels very heavy or won't stay up, put it back down gently and call for emergency garage door repair. A technician can usually get the door open and the car out on the same visit.
Find 24/7 local garage door repair near you by ZIP code.