Garage door won't open: what to check before you call

Work through these checks in order. Most take a minute and need no tools. Stop at any point if you see a broken spring, a frayed cable or a door off its tracks, and get a technician. This is general information, not a repair guide.

Safety first

• Keep children and pets away from the door while you check it.
• Do not stand under a door that is part way open, crooked or off its tracks.
• Never try to adjust, wind or remove a spring or cable. B&D says DIY spring repair is "highly discouraged" because of the danger involved.
• If you heard a loud bang and the door will not lift, treat it as a broken spring and stop using the opener.

Power and remote

• Check the opener has power: is its light on, and is the power point switched on?
• Check the switchboard for a tripped safety switch or circuit breaker.
• Check for a power outage in your street. Storm outages in Toowoomba can last a while, as they did after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 (Inside Local Government).
• Try the wall button. If the wall button works but the remote does not, the remote battery or programming is the likely cause.
• Replace the remote battery. If it is a coin-sized button battery, keep it away from children and check the cover closes securely.
• Try a second remote if you have one.

Beams, tracks and locks

• Look for anything blocking the safety beams near the floor, and gently wipe the lenses.
• Check the beams have not been knocked out of line by a bin, bike or car.
• Look along both tracks or guides for objects, bends or built-up dirt.
• Check the door has not been locked by hand. A manual lock left on can stop an automatic door.
• Check whether the manual release has been pulled. If it has, the motor will run but the door will not move.

Using the manual release

• Only use the manual release if the door is sitting in its tracks and the springs and cables look intact.
• Pull the release cord (often red) down firmly until you hear or feel a click, then lift the door by hand. Steel-Line warns not to pull the door by the cord, as it may snap.
• Take extra care if the door is open: Steel-Line warns it "may fall rapidly due to weak or broken springs".
• To re-engage, follow your opener's instructions. On B&D roller doors you pull the cord away from the door until it clicks, then test with the remote (B&D).

Call a technician if

• A spring has a visible gap, a cable is loose or frayed, or the door sits crooked.
• The door is off its tracks or the curtain is out of its guides.
• The door is very heavy to lift by hand.
• The motor hums, clicks or runs but nothing moves after you have checked the release.
• The door was damaged by a storm, hail or a vehicle.
• You are not comfortable doing any of these checks. Request a quote and say what you have already tried.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my garage door open?

Common causes include no power to the opener, a flat remote battery, blocked or misaligned safety beams, a manual lock or release left on, and a broken spring. B&D lists misaligned sensors, signal interference and flat remote batteries as reasons a door may not respond (B&D). Work through the checklist.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

It is not recommended. Springs are under high tension, and B&D says DIY spring repair "is highly discouraged due to the complexity and potential danger involved" (B&D). See springs and cables.

How often should a garage door be serviced?

B&D suggests a service in the first 12 months after installation and every two years after that (B&D). Check your own door's warranty, as some warranties depend on regular servicing.

Does a garage door business need a licence in Queensland?

For building work valued over $3,300, Queensland requires a QBCC licence (QBCC). If your quote is over that amount, ask for the licence number and check it on the free QBCC licence search at my.qbcc.qld.gov.au. A new power point for an opener must be installed by a licensed electrician (Electrical Safety Office).

What is a wind-rated garage door?

A door tested to resist higher wind loads under AS/NZS 4505, the Australian standard for wind-rated garage doors (Standards Australia). Ask the installer which wind class applies to your home and for the rating documents. See new doors and installation.

What should I know about button batteries in remotes?

Mandatory national safety and information standards for button batteries were introduced in June 2022 (ACCC), including secure battery compartments on products (ACCC). If a child may have swallowed one, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately (SA Consumer and Business Services).

How much does a garage door repair cost?

Published October 2026 estimates put a minor repair at around $120 to $400 per job and a pair of springs at $280 to $550 (What's The Damage?). These are not Toowoomba quotes. See the price guide.

Who will fix my garage door?

An independent local garage door technician. Toowoomba Garage Doors is a referral service; the technician quotes, does and is responsible for the work. Request a quote or read how this service works.