Garage Door Problem Guide
Garage Door Closes Then Opens Again
If your door starts down and then reverses back up, the opener thinks something is in the way. Here’s how to find out what.
Quick answer
Most of the time, a door that reverses while closing has a safety sensor problem — the photo-eyes near the floor are blocked, dirty or misaligned. Other causes are a close limit set too far, force set too sensitive, or the door binding in its tracks. Check the sensors first.
Safety first: Never tape the sensors together, remove them or turn up the opener force to stop reversals. Those safety systems protect people and pets from a closing door.
Likely causes
- Photo-eye sensors are blocked by an object, dirty, wet or knocked out of alignment.
- Sun glare hitting the receiving sensor at certain times of day.
- Close limit set too long, so the door hits the floor and the opener reads it as an obstruction.
- Close force too low for the door’s weight or for hot-weather stiffness.
- Binding in the tracks, worn rollers or a door that is out of balance.
- Ice, debris or a raised floor spot under the door.
Safe checks you can do
- Look for anything between the sensors — even a broom handle or leaves can break the beam.
- Wipe both sensor lenses with a soft cloth.
- Check the sensor lights. If one is blinking or off, gently adjust that sensor until its light is steady.
- Note where the door reverses: near the floor (limit/force), partway down (sensors or binding).
- Try closing the door at a different time of day to see if sun glare is involved.
What not to do
- Don’t hold the wall button down to force the door closed as a routine fix.
- Don’t increase force to “push through” the problem.
- Don’t bypass or remove the safety sensors.
Not comfortable checking this yourself?
Call and a technician can diagnose the door safely and explain the repair options.
Signs it needs a technician
- The sensors are aligned and clean, but the door still reverses.
- The door reverses at the same spot every time partway down.
- The door looks crooked, makes grinding noises, or the springs or cables look damaged.
- The opener light flashes or shows an error code.
Related services: sensor repair, opener safety & force adjustment and opener repair.
Repair Services for This Problem
When a basic check doesn’t solve it, these are the services that usually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door go down and then back up?
The opener detected an obstruction. The most common reason is the photo-eye sensors being blocked, dirty or misaligned. Close limit, force settings and binding can also cause it.
How do I realign my garage door sensors?
Loosen the sensor’s wing nut or bracket slightly, aim it at the other sensor until its indicator light is steady, and retighten. Make sure both are at the same height.
Can sunlight make my garage door reverse?
Yes. Strong direct sun on the receiving sensor can interfere with the beam, usually at sunrise or sunset. A sun shield or swapping the sensors’ sides can help.
Why does my door reverse only when it touches the floor?
The close limit may be set too far, so the opener interprets the floor as an obstruction. See reverses before touching floor.
Is it safe to hold the button down to close the door?
It overrides the sensors as a temporary measure, so watch the door the entire time. It isn’t a fix — the sensors need repair.
Does hot weather affect door reversing?
Heat can stiffen seals and affect how the door moves. If force is set very close to the limit, the opener may reverse more in hot weather.
Still Having Trouble
With Your Garage Door?
Call to describe what the door is doing. We serve Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Hephzibah, North Augusta and Aiken.