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Common causes of unexpected garage door reversal.
Start with safe observations
- Keep people, pets, and vehicles clear of the moving door.
- Look for an obvious obstruction.
- Notice whether the opener motor runs.
- Check remote batteries and normal household power when relevant.
- Look at the photo-eye area for blockage or obvious misalignment.
- Stop if the door is crooked, off track, unusually heavy, or has damaged spring/cable hardware.
Safety: Garage door springs, lift cables, and unstable/off-track doors can be hazardous. Do not loosen, wind, unwind, cut, remove, or improvise repairs on high-tension components.
Why one symptom can have several causes
Garage door systems combine mechanical and electrical components. A door that will not move, for example, can involve controls, sensors, the opener, springs, cables, tracks, or an obstruction. The goal is to narrow the issue without turning troubleshooting into a hazardous repair attempt.