Garage doors are incredible pieces of complex mechanics. Most of the time they work so well we don’t even think about it. But when your garage door stops working, your whole world comes crashing down. Only then do you realize how much you depend on the convenience of your garage door — how your life barely functions without it.

So what do you do if your garage door won’t close? That’s a serious issue — from both the standpoint of the security of your property as well as your family’s safety. Before swirling into a panic, consider why your garage door isn’t working and the potential easy repair solutions. Here are a few reasons why your garage door won’t close and what to do about it.

Your Garage Door Opener Has No Power

Fortunately the most common reason for a garage door to not close is fairly simple — your garage door has no power. This is especially true if you have an older opener that doesn’t have a battery backup power supply. As of now, California law dictates that all garage doors should  have backup batteries, so make that a priority.  Check whether your garage door opener has any power. If that doesn’t work, check the fuse box andake sure it’s still plugged in. Determine if your house has any power.

Your Remote Batteries Are Dead

If you’re not getting any power to your garage door, there’s a chance your remote batteries could be dead.. It’s easy to overlook, but fortunately easy to fix. If you’re the only one at home and have to supervise your garage door, get a family member or friend  to pick up batteries for you. 

Something’s Blocking the Photoeyes

Another reason your garage door won’t close is something it in the way of the photoeyes. These are two transmitters located at the bottom of the door. They send an invisible signal to each other. When this signal is interrupted, the door reverses itself. It’s a basic safety feature required on all garage door openers installed since 1993. Check to see if anything is in the way of your garage door. Remove it if it is.

If all else fails, call up a professional to remedy the situation as soon as possible. If your garage door refuses to close even after the solutions above, it’s likely that repairs might be needed. Perhaps your garage spring or cable is damaged – only time will tell. Find yourself a qualified door repair company so your garage can finally get shut, and you can get some peace of mind.