Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close All the Way (And What to Do About It)

Written By Matthew Johnson

Your garage door won’t close — and you're not sure why. Whether it's stuck halfway down or reverses as soon as it touches the ground, it's frustrating, inconvenient, and potentially unsafe.

At Cornerstone Overhead Doors Texas, we’ve seen this issue hundreds of times across East Texas. Here are the most common reasons a garage door won’t close all the way — and what you can do about it:

1. Your Photo Eye Sensors Are Blocked or Misaligned

Modern garage doors have sensors located near the base of the track. These photo eyes detect objects in the path of the door — a crucial safety feature to prevent injury or damage.

A photo eye sensor installed on a recent project by Cornerstone Overhead Doors Texas.

Photo eye sensor

What to do:

  • Make sure nothing is blocking the sensors (like a trash can or rake).

  • Wipe the sensors clean with a soft cloth.

  • Check that both sensors are aligned and lit — if one is blinking or off, it may be misaligned.

2. The Tracks Are Damaged or Obstructed

Bent or dirty tracks can cause the door to jam or stop mid-close.
What to do:

  • Look along the tracks for any visible dents, debris, or rust.

  • Never try to force the tracks back into place — this can be dangerous. Instead, call a professional.

Garage door tracks

3. Your Limit Settings Are Off

Your garage door opener has settings that tell it how far to move. If the “close limit” is too short, the system may think the floor is higher than it is and reverse the door.
What to do:

  • Refer to your opener’s manual to adjust the limit switch.

  • If unsure, a local technician can recalibrate it safely.

4. Broken or Worn-Out Springs and Cables

Springs and cables bear the weight of the door. If one is worn or snapped, the door may not close properly or may drop unevenly.
What to do:

  • Do NOT attempt to fix springs or cables yourself. These components are under extreme tension and can be dangerous.

  • Call a trusted technician serving East Texas to inspect and replace any damaged parts.

5. Your Remote or Wall Switch Is Malfunctioning

Sometimes the problem is as simple as a dying battery or a wiring issue.
What to do:

  • Replace the batteries in your remote.

  • Try the wall switch — if it works, the issue may be the remote or its signal.

  • If neither works, you may have an electrical issue requiring professional service.

Need Help? We’re Just Down the Road.

If you’re dealing with a stubborn garage door in Frankston, Tyler, Palestine, Jacksonville, Athens — or anywhere in between — Cornerstone Overhead Doors Texas is ready to help. Our technicians offer prompt, reliable garage door repair and opener troubleshooting throughout East Texas.

Book your repair now or give us a call to talk through what’s going on.

Matthew Johnson