Were you able to open the garage door without a problem, but can’t get it closed using the remote control? This can be frustrating for homeowners, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the garage door opener has malfunctioned. Why is this happening?
You can’t use the remote to close the garage door because there’s something blocking the path between the sensors. This can also happen if the safety eye sensors are dirty. Make sure there isn’t anything in the way of the sensor and the lens is clean. Other reasons this could occur are damaged worse, expired batteries, or broken logic board.
It can be frustrating when your appliances aren’t working properly. Read on if you’re garage door remote will open the door but not close it. We’re going to discuss the different types of garage doors and how to fix this problem. Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
Different Types Of Garage Doors
There are several types of garage doors. It’s important to know which type you have before you fix it. This is because different types of doors can have different problems.
Sectional Garage Door
The most common type of garage door on modern houses is a sectional garage door. There are multiple panels joined together to hold the garage door. The door will be able to lift up and down, using the panels as a guide.
These garage doors have wheels that are connected to the tracks on the panels. The door is also able to bend as the panels curve when it’s opening.
Roll-Up Garage Door
Roll-up doors are made from steel sheets. As the door opens, these sheets coil around a drum. They are then released when you close the garage door. This style of a garage door doesn’t rely on a track to open and close.
There are two types of roll-up garage doors. Houses that have them typically have roll-up sheet doors. Industrial buildings are more likely to have rolling steel doors.
The difference is the number of sheets used to build these doors. Roll-up doors are usually one sheet, while roller doors consist of multiple metal slats.
Side Hinged Garage Door
Side-hinged garage doors are an old-fashioned style. This type of garage door features 2 side hinged doors. They are a great option for garages with limited headroom.
These doors open horizontally. Instead of traveling up and down, the doors open on the hinges, similar to barn doors.
Slide to Side Garage Doors
Another great option for garages with limited headroom is slide-to-side doors. These are doors that slide to the side when they are opened and closed. Instead of going overhead, the door will travel beside the wall when it’s opened.
Many homeowners enjoy the simplicity of these doors. They are installed on a trolley that’s very flexible to fit the space that it’s installed in. One of the great things about these doors is that you don’t have to worry about balancing springs or ceiling mounts.
Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Doors
Tilt-up canopy garage doors aren’t as popular among modern home designs. However, if you live in an older home, this could be the type of garage door you have.
A tilt-up canopy garage door sits parallel to the ceiling when it’s opened. This door gets its name from the bottom. When the door has fully risen, the bottom of the door sticks out like a canopy.
Tilt-Up Retractable Garage Doors
Tilt-up retractable garage doors work similarly to tilt-up canopy doors. The main difference is that tilt-up retractable doors don’t stick out at the bottom. When the door is retracted, it goes all the way up.
This is another type of garage door that’s more common among older homes. It’s not a popular choice because it takes up a lot of space. It will feel very crowded if there isn’t plenty of headroom in the garage.
How To Fix A Remote That Won’t Close Your Garage Door
You got that garage door open. Now, it’s time to close it. Below are some of the different ways that you can fix a remote that won’t close the garage door.
Replace The Battery
One of the main reasons that a garage door won’t close is because the battery is expired or dead. You will need to replace the battery to fix this issue. Here is what you need to do.
- Find out which type of battery the remote control takes and buy a replacement. Most remotes take a 2032 lithium battery.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to open the remote. Most remotes have an indentation that you will be able to work the screwdriver into. Be gentle so you don’t cause any damage to the remote’s circuit board.
- Remove the top from the remote to expose the circuit board.
- Use the flathead screwdriver to lift the old battery.
- Place the new battery in the battery slot. Be gentle as you work it in there.
- Place the top back on the remote control. You will hear a clicking noise when it’s in place.
- Test the remote control to see if it has power.
Check Alignment On The Sensors
The garage door won’t close if the opener’s sensors aren’t aligned. You will be able to tell that this is the problem because the garage door stays open, but the opener’s lights flash when you press the remote control. Here is how you can fix the issue.
- Inspect the sensors on the garage door opener. There are different lights that will flash to let you know the sensors aren’t aligned, depending on the brand. This will vary by brand, so always check the user’s manual.
- Locate the receiving sensor. It will have a green LED light. If it’s misaligned, this light will either be flickering or dimmed.
- Loosen the wing nut on the receiving sensor. Move it around until the LED light has a steady glow.
- Tighten the wing nut to secure it in place. The steady green light means that the sensors are aligned.
Clean The Sensor Eyes
The sensor eyes can get cloudy, which stops the door from closing. This is because there could be dust, dirt, or debris smudged onto the sensor. It’s very easy for the sensor eyes to get blocked. Spiderwebs, leaves, and other forms of debris can easily create problems for the sensor eyes. This is a very easy fix that you can complete in a matter of minutes.
All you need is a dry microfiber cloth. Use that cloth to gently clean the sensor. If you notice any dirt or smudges that are stuck on, you can lightly dampen the cloth with water to get them off. You shouldn’t use any cleaning agents on the garage door opener’s sensors.
Check For Damaged Wires
Check for damaged wires if any of the solutions above don’t solve your problem. If the wrong-sized wires are used, they can become frayed and damaged. You can use a multimeter to check if there are any damaged wires. This is how:
- Turn the multimeter on and set it to 200 amps.
- Test the multimeter to ensure it’s working. You can do this by touching the ends of both probes together.
- Turn off the power to the wire that you want to test.
- Connect both probes of the multimeter to the wire, one on each end.
- Check the multimeter’s reading. If there is a break or damage to the wire, the multimeter will read an “I”. If the wire is fine, it will show a number with a low reading.
Reprogram The System
Have you recently moved into a new house and are having trouble with the garage door opener? If this is the case, you should reprogram the opener’s system. This is the #1 thing that experts recommend.
- Look for a button on the opener that says “program”. If it doesn’t say program, it should say “learn”
- Press and hold the program button for 10 seconds. Once the light on the garage door opener flashes, it’s a sign that the opener has been cleared.
- Press the program button once more, but don’t hold it down this time. Then press the power button on the remote control to reprogram it to the garage door opener.
Replace The Logic Board
There could be damage done to the logic board. If this is the case, you will need to fully replace the logic board. Keep in mind that this does require maintenance to an appliance. If this isn’t something you’re comfortable with, you should hire a professional.
If you think your logic board needs to be replaced, this is what you need to do.
- Gather your supplies before you begin. You will need a step ladder, needle-nose pliers, a Philips screwdriver, a wrench set, and a nut driver set.
- Put on a pair of rubber-insulated gloves to keep your hands protected.
- Disconnect the power to the garage door opener.
- Pull the emergency release rope to release the trolley so you can shut the garage door.
- Remove the fastener ring from the straight door arm so you can pull out the cleavis pin. This is connected to the trolley or door track.
- Open the light cover on the garage door opener. Disconnect the safety sensor and wall control wires.
- Unscrew the bolts that are holding the garage door opener to the ceiling. Carefully remove the opener.
- Remove the fastener ring that’s located on the header bracket cleavis pin. Support the rail with your hands and remove the cleavis pin.
- Remove the rail and place it on a workbench with the garage door opener.
- Remove the light cover and light bulb from the opener so you will be able to access the circuit board. Unscrew the screws that are holding the control panel and carefully open it.
- Disconnect the wires from the old logic board.
- Unscrew the logic board and remove it from the control panel.
- Place the antenna of the new logic board through the control panel. Then place the new board in the control panel and screw it in place.
- Reconnect the wires and then reinstall the control panel. Make sure everything is secure before putting the garage door opener back in place.
- Reinstall the lightbulb and cover.
- Carefully reinstall the rail with the fastener ring and cleavis pin.
- Reinstall the garage door opener to the ceiling bracket. Make sure everything is secure before reconnecting the power to the opener.
When You Should Call A Professional
Safety should always be your first priority when it comes to working with appliances. If you believe that there was damage to the garage door opener, you should contact a professional. It’s also a good idea to contact a professional if you aren’t experienced and need a replacement.
Professionals are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to the parts and tools needed to fix a garage door opener. They will know how to assess the problem and the best (and safest) solution to it.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Your Garage Door Opener?
The cost to fix your garage door opener will depend on how it needs to be fixed. This could range anywhere from $0 to over $500. If the problem is a dirt photo eye sensor, you won’t have to spend any money to fix the problem.
However, if you need to contact a professional to replace the logic board or another part, it will be more expensive. If you decide to fix the problem yourself, you could spend between $50 and $230 to get the parts you need.
Conclusion
Will your garage door remote open the door but not close it? This could be happening because there is something blocking the sensor. When this is the case, it’s a very easy fix. However, the problem could be more serious, such as a damaged wire or a malfunctioned logic board.
Many of the solutions to fix the garage door opener can be done DIY. However, when it comes to replacing internal parts, you should contact a professional if you’re not experienced.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.