Garage Door Reverses Before Fully Closing — Oakland, California

A garage door that starts closing and then immediately reverses back up is a safety mechanism working as designed — but triggered by a problem that needs fixing. The most common causes are misaligned or dirty photo-eye sensors near the bottom of the tracks, an incorrect close-force or travel-limit setting on the opener, or an obstruction in the track such as a bent rail, debris, or a worn roller binding in its bracket. Ignoring the issue usually leads to homeowners overriding the safety features, which creates a serious crush hazard. A handyman or garage-door specialist can realign the sensors, adjust the opener settings, and inspect the tracks and rollers to restore smooth, safe operation.