Garage Door and Garage Door Opener Problems When It’s Cold: 6 Reasons and Solutions

Have you noticed that your garage door might malfunction when the temperatures are getting low? We bet you have. Can cold weather affect a garage door opener? Yes, it can. And it’s one of the most common reasons for garage door problems in colder months of the year. Well, if your garage door will not close when cold, at least you’ll know where to start.

The tricky thing about cold weather is that it can hurt both the door and the door opener unit. Thus, heavy elements such as snow, rain, and paddles can cause the door to freeze to the ground. Meanwhile, extremely low temperatures can freeze the lubricant, which causes operational stalls. The opener unit electronics don’t like the cold too and often lags during a colder season.

Once the garage door opens slowly when it’s cold, it can be very inconvenient. So you may ask questions like, “Why won’t my garage door close in cold weather?” or “How do I adjust a garage door for cold weather?” When you know the issue, it becomes easier to find a fitting solution. Let’s see why garage doors will not close in cold weather and possible ways to fix them.

How Cold Weather Affects your Garage Door and Garage Door Opener

If you live in an area where it gets very cold, you know that garage door problems increase during winter. As common as it is to have garage door issues in cold weather, it is still very frustrating for most homeowners. Imagine the convenience of a smoothly working garage door being taken away, especially when the last thing you want to do is to stay outside. Cold weather can be an enemy, whether you have a Chamberlain or Craftsman garage door.

Cold weather affects garage door opener and door operation alike. When it is cold, different garage door components can even become frozen. In freezing weather, ice interferes with signals from the sensors. Also, the springs and cables may become frozen; thus, closing and opening the door will become problematic. Cold weather may also cause keypad malfunctions and freeze the lubricant. The list of reasons why winter may affect the garage door is long. With the help of this article, you can attempt troubleshooting a garage door that won’t close when it gets cold.

Top Reasons: Why Does My Garage Door Not Open in Cold Weather?

There are several reasons why the garage door won’t open when cold. But identifying the cause of the problem is half the solution. We want to describe to you some of the most common causes of garage door opener problems when the outside temperature is low and how to adjust a garage door for cold weather. So, if your garage door does not open, the following may have happened:

1. Metal contracts in the cold

If you are familiar with some basic physics, you know that metal contracts when the temperature is low. The same can happen to all the metallic components of a garage door, such as the tracks, hinges, springs, and cables. For this reason, the garage door won’t close when cold. Applying lubricant can reduce the contraction of the metallic parts.

2. Frozen grease or lubricating oil

If the garage door opener is not working when cold, it could be because the grease has hardened. It is only natural for grease for lubricating oils to freeze up during winter.

All you have to do is replace the frozen grease. A silicone-based lubricant for cold weather is the best option. Use a brush to apply lubricant to the parts that need lubrication. Wipe away any excess oil.

3. Misaligned or worn-out tracks

The tracks can become bent for several reasons. First, it can be connected to the way the door moves as you try to close it. So, misalignment may be one of the reasons why the garage door opener sticks when it’s cold.

Also, the tracks or any other part of the garage door can become worn out due to daily usage. Harsh weather puts the tracks at risk of being misaligned. You may need a professional to check the extent of the damage.

4. Broken springs

The springs in garage doors are responsible for maintaining balance as the door moves up and down. The daily strain on the springs puts them at risk of being damaged, especially in cold weather. If you conduct regular garage door maintenance, you can replace the springs before they snap when least expected.

If you require garage door spring repair, you should not do it yourself. Carrying out such work may be risky for you. Therefore, it is recommended to leave this job to garage door experts. You can contact the STI Garage Door team for any garage door issues you have to deal with if you reside in the area they service.

5. Frozen weather seal

The weather seal can get frozen if ice forms. So when you attempt to open the door, the force will rip the weather seal from the garage door. Therefore, the garage door will not have any insulation, putting the other components at the mercy of the elements. You can avoid a frozen garage door problem by constantly removing any puddles or snow near the garage door.

Why The Garage Door Won`t Close When It`s Cold And How To Fix It

If you’ve managed to find the answer to the question “Why does my garage door opener not work in cold weather?” and identified the issue, you can try to solve it yourself. A few things you can try to do include:

1. Check the remote

So, you’ve found out that your garage door opener doesn’t work in cold environments. Before you do anything, start by checking the remotes. Sometimes it happens that a garage door remote is not working in cold weather. And the door won’t close properly because of a poor signal from the remote to the opener. So check the remote to make sure the batteries are still working.

You may need to get M batteries if you haven’t changed them in a long while. Always make sure the batteries are placed correctly; otherwise, there will be no signal.

2. Take a look at the sensors

Sensors, which are placed about 6 inches above the ground, are essential for safety functions. If an object is in the pathway of the two sensors on either side of the garage door, then the door will stop on its way down. Things that could cause obstruction include:

• Boxes
• Dust
• Spider webs
• Ice

So make sure that none of these are the reason the door won’t close. Sometimes wiping the condensation on the sensors can be the only solution you need.

3. Apply enough lubrication

One of the effects of cold weather is that it makes it difficult for the different parts of the garage door to move smoothly while you close or open it. For this reason, just by adding enough lubricant for the cold, you can prevent the door from malfunctioning.

Make sure that you apply a decent amount of grease or oil to all parts, such as hinges, rails, springs, and cables. Avoid adding excessive amounts of lubrication as it will cause oil to spill on your floor as the door moves up and down.

4. Adjust the opener

If your garage door opener doesn’t work in cold conditions, sometimes all you need to do is simply adjust its settings. For instance, you can set how low the door will go down when closing or the amount of force it will carry when going down. Simply check in the manufacturer’s manual to figure out how to make adjustments.

However, if a garage keypad is not working in a cold climate, or you have checked the opener and found operational issues, don’t delay the garage door opener repair! An experienced technician will be able to repair or replace your garage door opener and make any necessary adjustments.

5. Test the manual function

Another helpful tip when finding a solution for a garage door that is not closing because of cold weather is to check how it functions manually. Pull the red cord on the opener, and the door will be in manual mode. Try to bring the door down.

If it is balanced, then the spring is working correctly. If the door is unbalanced or feels too heavy, the spring may be broken. Always be cautious when working with damaged springs as it can cause serious injuries.

6. Frozen door threshold

If the threshold is frozen, you can expect the door to malfunction. Puddles or melting snow can freeze near the threshold. The solution to the garage door freezing to the floor is to clear any snow or water puddles near the door.

However, it is always better to get a professional to do the work for you. Call STI Garage Door for any cold weather garage door problems. We will send an expert to fix the problem ASAP.

Expert Tips from STI Garage Door

If the garage door opener stops working in cold weather, we advise you first to check if there is enough lubrication. Also, check if there is any wear and tear and if tracks are misaligned. Check for condensation of the sensors or if there is any object in the trajectory of the signal. You can also test the garage door balance to ensure the springs are functioning properly.

Then you can seek expert help. If you want to waste less time, call someone to diagnose why you have garage door opener problems. It is advisable to get help to avoid any injuries when trying to fix the garage door. Regular garage door maintenance is a good way to ensure you do not experience such difficulties. That way, any issue detected can be fixed.

Consider Our Company Your Trusted Partner

If your garage door opens by itself in cold weather, or you have any garage door opener problems when it’s freezing outside, call STI Garage Door. Our company is experienced with resolving any garage door issues that may happen because of cold weather. Our experience extends over several years, so you are in safe hands. Regardless of the issue, we can solve it for you as soon as you need it.

We have a 100% success rate and always make sure to leave our customers satisfied. We can provide cost-effective solutions and also offer maintenance schemes for all types of garage doors. Furthermore, we can send technicians to your place to check your garage regularly. Contact us now for any garage door that won’t close in winter. We will send a team immediately.

Final Thoughts

Cold weather can affect how your garage door works. Many homeowners know that their garage door will not stay down in cold weather and are ready to face other garage door opener problems when it’s cold.

The extent of damage depends on which part is affected. Usually, cold weather garage door problems can be fixed, especially if you do it on time. Ice may impact how different components of the garage door move. So, measures such as applying enough lubrication can get the door working properly again. Hardened grease should be replaced.

Inspecting the springs, hinges, and tracks can also help you pinpoint the issue. When fixing the problem, check the door balance after putting it in manual mode. Remember to be very cautious to avoid injuries. If you are not sure about what to do, you can’t find what hinders the door from operating smoothly, or you can’t eliminate the issue on your own, asking for professional help is always a better option. Not only will it save you time and peace of mind, but also you’ll avoid aggravating the door damage or hurting yourself when doing DIY repairs.

At STI Garage Door, we are ready to help at any time of the day. Our maintenance service is accessible 24/7. If your garage door suddenly gets stuck open in the cold, our emergency team will come to your house even at night. They’ll do their best to fix the issue and make sure your house won’t be exposed to the cold and safety risks. Let service experts get your garage door back on track. If you live in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington D.C., feel free to contact our experts at any time of the day.

STI Garage Door

Operating in the garage door industry for over 25 years, STI Garage Door is dedicated to quality service and excellence in everything.

The company is a proud partner to the top brands in the field — LiftMaster for commercial door openers and Amarr and Clopay for residential and commercial doors.