A garage door that refuses to close is one of the most common calls we get from San Francisco homeowners — and it almost always traces back to one of a handful of causes. Before you keep mashing the remote, here’s what’s likely going on.
1. Misaligned or dirty safety sensors
The two little photo-eye sensors near the floor have to “see” each other for the door to close. In San Francisco’s damp, foggy air, the lenses fog up, collect grime, or drift out of alignment — and the door reverses or won’t move. Wipe the lenses and check that both indicator lights are steady. If the door still won’t close, the sensors likely need realignment. (This is the same fix behind a door that won’t close on most homes here.)
2. Something blocking the path
Sensors will also stop a door for a stray recycling bin, a coiled hose, or even a thick shadow across the beam. Clear the threshold first.
3. A broken spring
If the door is heavy, crooked, or slams down, a torsion or extension spring may have snapped — extremely common near the coast, where salt air corrodes springs early. This is not a DIY fix; springs are under enormous tension. Call for same-day service.
4. Off-track or bent rollers
If the door binds, grinds, or hangs unevenly, it may have jumped the track. Stop using it — forcing an off-track door bends panels and hardware.
5. Limit settings on the opener
Openers have travel limits that tell the door how far to move. If they drift, the door stops short or reverses. Often adjustable, but easy to overshoot.
6. A worn or failing opener
Grinding, humming, or nothing at all can mean stripped gears or a tired logic board — especially on San Francisco’s hills, where openers work harder. We repair and replace all major opener brands.
7. Remote or power issues
Dead remote battery, a tripped GFCI, or a disengaged manual-release cord can all masquerade as a “broken” door. Check the simple stuff first.
When to call a pro
Sensors, blockages, and dead batteries are safe to check yourself. Springs, cables, and off-track doors are not — they’re under tension and cause most garage-door injuries. If you’re in San Francisco and the door still won’t close, we’re available 24/7 at (415) 494-4774. See our full San Francisco garage door services.