Few things are more frustrating than pressing your garage door remote only to watch the door start to close, then immediately reverse direction. If your garage door won’t stay shut, it’s not only an inconvenience—it could be a signal that something important needs attention. At Four Seasons Garage Doors, we’ve helped countless Illinois homeowners resolve this common but potentially serious issue.
Here are the top reasons your garage door keeps reversing, along with actionable solutions to restore safe and proper function.
1. Misaligned or Blocked Safety Sensors
Your garage door opener is equipped with photo-eye sensors placed near the ground on both sides of the door. These sensors send an invisible beam across the door opening, which acts as a safety feature to prevent accidents.
If the sensors are:
- Misaligned
- Dirty
- Obstructed by objects, dust, or spider webs
…the system will assume there’s something in the way and trigger an automatic reverse.
Fix:
- Gently clean the sensors with a soft cloth
- Ensure both sensors face each other directly (steady lights usually mean alignment is correct)
- Clear any debris or objects near the sensor area
If sensor lights are blinking or off entirely, it may be time for a professional inspection.
2. Travel Limit Settings Are Incorrect
Garage door openers have adjustable limit switches that tell the system how far the door should move. If these limits are set incorrectly, the door may close too far or hit the ground too hard, which causes it to reverse as a safety measure.
Fix:
- Use the opener’s manual to locate and adjust the “down limit” screw or dial
- Make small adjustments and test the door
- Don’t over-adjust—it may create more problems
Still not working? Call Four Seasons Garage Doors at 630-449-4600 for help recalibrating your opener.
3. Physical Obstructions or Uneven Ground
Sometimes, the reason is right under your feet. Objects like tools, rocks, or even small cracks in your driveway or garage floor can interfere with door operation.
Fix:
- Sweep and inspect the area under the door
- Check for uneven concrete or buildup of debris
- Look at the door’s bottom seal for wear or gaps
A worn seal might catch on the floor, triggering the auto-reverse. Also, in colder months, ice buildup or frozen moisture can block the door’s path and confuse the sensors.
4. Broken Springs or Hardware Malfunctions
If your torsion or extension springs are worn or broken, they may not provide the balance your door needs. This imbalance can cause the opener to work harder than normal—and reverse for safety.
Other hardware issues like bent tracks, damaged rollers, or loose cables can also cause resistance.
Fix:
- Do not attempt to fix springs yourself—they are under extreme tension
- Call Four Seasons Garage Doors to inspect and replace damaged components safely
We also recommend annual maintenance checks to catch hardware problems early before they affect your door’s operation.
5. Opener Malfunctions or Electrical Problems
Like any electronic device, your garage door opener can develop internal issues over time. Faulty wiring, power surges, or a failing circuit board could all lead to reversing problems.
Fix:
- Try unplugging and resetting your opener
- Replace batteries in your remote and wall panel
- If nothing changes, professional diagnosis may be needed
You may also consider upgrading to a modern smart opener that alerts you to problems via a mobile app, helping you act before a minor glitch becomes a major issue.
Call Illinois’ Garage Door Experts
Don’t ignore a reversing garage door—it’s a red flag that something isn’t working as it should. At Four Seasons Garage Doors, we provide fast, friendly, and reliable service throughout Illinois. Whether it’s a sensor issue, faulty opener, or hardware problem, we’ll fix it right the first time.
Call us today at 630-449-4600 to schedule an inspection or repair. Let us help you restore peace of mind with a garage door that works safely and smoothly.
