Garage door won't close
Usually the safety sensors. Check the two lights by the floor, then call. Repairs from $185.
Updated Oct 2026
Don't hold the button down.
Holding the wall button overrides the sensors that stop the door closing on someone. Check the sensors first.
Three things to do now
- 1. Clear the beam Move anything near the floor by the tracks.
- 2. Wipe both lenses Dust or a cobweb is enough to block them.
- 3. Check both lights Steady on both sides means they are lined up.
Opener repair, from $185
Opener repairOpener repair
from $185Gear kit, logic board, limits or sensors
What can raise the price
- A logic board instead of a gear kit
- A part that has to be ordered for an older unit
- Sensor wiring that has to be rerun
Sensor questions
Why does my garage door close and then go back up?
Usually the safety sensors: something in the beam, a dirty lens, or one sensor knocked out of line. If they are clear and lined up, the close force or a travel limit needs adjusting. Chen Garage Door fixes this in San Rafael and across Marin from $185, and the quote visit is free.
How do I close the garage door in a power outage?
Pull the red release cord to disconnect the opener, then lower the door by hand, slowly. If it feels very heavy, stop and call, because a spring may have broken. Reconnect the opener once the power is back.
Can I tape over or unplug a sensor?
No. The sensors stop the door closing on a person or a pet. A faulty sensor gets replaced, with the wiring checked, as part of opener repair from $185.
