Why won't my garage door close in cold weather? The most common cause is sensor misalignment—cold makes metal contract, shifting sensor brackets enough to break the safety beam. Check that the receiving sensor's green LED is solid (not blinking). Other cold-weather causes include frost on sensor lenses, thickened lubricant, and ice blocking the door path. Most issues can be fixed in 5 minutes.

Cold-Weather Causes (In Order of Likelihood)

Cold weather creates specific challenges for garage doors. For all 12 possible causes your door won't close (not just cold-related), see our complete troubleshooting guide.

1. Sensor Misalignment (Most Common)

Metal sensor brackets contract in cold, shifting sensors by just millimeters—enough to break the infrared beam. Look at the receiving sensor (usually has green LED): if it's blinking instead of solid, the beam is broken. Fix: Loosen wing nut, adjust until LED is solid, retighten. See our blinking light troubleshooting guide for detailed blink codes.

2. Frost/Ice on Sensor Lenses

Condensation freezes on sensor lenses, blocking the beam. The lights may look normal but the beam can't pass through. Fix: Wipe both sensor lenses with a dry cloth. Consider applying anti-fog treatment.

3. Ice/Snow Blocking Door Path

Ice buildup at the bottom or debris in the door path triggers the safety reverse. Fix: Clear ice and snow from the door threshold. Salt the concrete to prevent re-freezing.

4. Thickened Lubricant

Standard lubricant thickens below -10°C, increasing resistance. The opener senses this as an obstruction and reverses. Fix: Apply cold-weather silicone lubricant rated to -40°C.

5. Weakened Springs

Springs lose 10-15% tension in extreme cold, making the door heavier. If opener force is set correctly for warm weather, it may struggle in cold. Fix: Seasonal spring tension adjustment ($100-$150).

Quick Fixes (Try These First)

  1. Check Sensor LEDs

    Look at both sensors at floor level. Sending sensor should show solid amber. Receiving sensor should show solid green. If green is blinking, sensors need alignment.

  2. Clean Sensor Lenses

    Wipe both sensor faces with a dry, soft cloth. Even invisible frost can block the infrared beam.

  3. Clear the Door Path

    Check for ice, snow, or debris along the door bottom. Shovel and salt the threshold.

  4. Use Wall Button Override

    As a temporary fix, press and hold the wall button continuously. The door will close while held, bypassing sensors. Only do this when you can see nothing is in the path.

  5. Warm the Garage

    Run a space heater for 20 minutes to warm components. This helps lubricant flow and reduces metal contraction.

Preventing Cold-Weather Close Issues

  • Fall maintenance: Have sensors checked and aligned before winter
  • Cold-weather lubricant: Apply silicone-based lube rated to -40°C
  • Lithium batteries: Replace sensor backup batteries (if applicable)
  • Insulate garage: Proper insulation keeps temperature more stable
  • Check weatherstripping: Good seal prevents frost inside tracks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my garage door close when it's cold?
The #1 cause is sensor misalignment from cold-contracted metal. Sensors mounted on cold metal brackets shift slightly, breaking the safety beam. Clean the sensor lenses (frost can block them) and check that both LED lights are solid. Other causes include thickened lubricant making the motor struggle and ice/snow blocking the door path.
How do I fix a garage door that won't close in cold weather?
Start with sensors: clean lenses with dry cloth, check alignment (green LED should be solid). If sensors are fine, check the door path for ice or debris. Warm the garage if possible—even a space heater for 20 minutes helps. For persistent issues, hold the wall button continuously to override sensors (temporary fix only).
MT

Michael Thompson

IDEA Certified Technician. 15+ years of Toronto winter service calls.