Genie garage door opener won’t close unless hold button can be an annoying and serious problem in emergencies or a rush. There could be a few reasons for such a problem.

The problem mainly occurs due to problems with the sensor, such as blocked, misaligned, or issues in the sensor’s eye. Wiring issues, damaged lock-out buttons, and the closing limit are responsible for the garage door won’t close unless holding the button.

Happily, the fixations are simple. I discussed the reasons and solutions briefly in this guide.

Why is my Genie Garage Door Opener Won’t Close Unless Hold Button?

I shared 8 reasons and solutions for the Genie garage door only goes down or up when holding the button. Read them intently.

1. Blocked Sensor

Every garage door opener consists of a sensor. The door may malfunction if the sensor gets blocked by dirt, dust, or any object.

Most modern openers are equipped with photoelectric sensors. They are installed on either side of the doors 6” above the ground. These sensors are efficient enough to detect cars, pets, persons, or objects.  

If the sensor performs poorly, the opener will take time to close unless you hold the button.

Consider checking whether anything is blocking the sensor. If there is debris, rocks, or another thing in the way of the sensor, remove them.

In addition, get a soft and clean cloth, and wipe down the sensor. This will make sure all potential blockages are removed successfully.

2. Issue in the Sensor’s Eye

As stated earlier, the garage door opener sensor should be free from all blockages. When cleaning the sensor, check for possible damages or scratches in the sensor’s eye.

A dirty or damaged sensor eye is one of the potential causes of the garage door won’t open or close unless you hold the button. For this reason, be extremely careful to avoid putting scratch marks on the sensor eye when cleaning.

If you identify scratches, damages, or cracks in the sensor eyes that are impossible to wipe down, consider replacing the sensor.

Ensuring a workable sensor is crucial. A garage door opener sensor is not only essential for closing the door but also necessary to ensure safety.

3. Misaligned Sensor Position

Proper installation of the garage door opener sensor is significantly important. The sensor needs to be installed following the same direction and angle. If they are misaligned, the sensor will not work properly. As a result, you will experience garage door closing problems unless you hold button.

So, check the sensor’s eye position if they are installed at the same height above the floor. It is one of the vital factors when installing a garage door opener.

In this case, take assistance from a laser leveler. You can easily identify using this device if the sensors are installed misaligned.

If you find no issue with the alignment and the problem still exists, contact a professional.

4. Activated Lock-out Button

Another potential issue is the defective lock-out button. If the lock-out button is engaged, the door will not be able to close easily.

Now, you will need to check if the activated lock-out button is the reason for the garage door opening and closing problems unless hold button. So, how to check?

• Locate the button of the garage door on the wall.
• If the lock-out button is activated, you will see an illuminated light. All you need to do is deactivate it.

This is the most common way of checking whether the lock-out button is activated.

One important note is controls and settings of different openers vary. You may need to disengage the button following different ways in some models.

In this case, it would always be best to read the garage door opener manual.

5. Incorrectly Adjusted Opener Sensitivity

Incorrect adjustment of the Genie opener sensitivity is also responsible for the garage door won’t open or close unless hold button. But you will need to make sure that the problem is with the sensitivity settings.

You can either test by yourself or call a professional. Read the below points to test the sensitivity settings.

• First, the garage door must be disconnected from the opener by pulling the emergency release. This way, the garage door will turn off.
• When the door is about to close, check whether it closes evenly on both sides. If the door doesn’t close evenly, call a professional to let the door get adjusted.
• While the Genie opener is well-balanced, there is no complication with the sensitivity adjustment.

6. Lose or Broken Wiring

Unfortunately, the Genie garage door opener won’t function unless hold button for some problems with the wires. The wires of the motor unit and sensor can break if the wiring system becomes stiff and rough.

Check for any broken parts in the wiring system that might cause the issue. Repair the defect or replace it if required.

In order to connect the wires, get a twist cable connector which will help you have a secure and durable connection.

But if you are unconfident in completing such work, don’t hesitate to hire an electrician.

7. Problem with the Closing Limit of the Garage Door

The door mechanism is another culprit for the Genie garage door opener only closes when holding button.

I already mentioned that garage openers have 2 security sensors. If you install the sensors too high from the floor, the door will be unable to close. It means the closing limit is improperly adjusted.

So, install the sensors following the correct method.

8. Rusty or Old Door Rollers

Garage door openers move with the help of door rollers. Rust can develop in the door rollers, not letting the door close completely.

Apply lubricant to allow the door rollers to move easily. Also, the lubricant will prevent rust from buildup.

However, if the rollers are corroded excessively, consider replacing them.

FAQ

Final Words

Advanced garage door openers are engineered to open and close automatically using a remote control.

However, situations like the Genie garage door opener won’t close unless hold button is uncomfortable. Moreover, it is time-consuming as well when you are in an emergency.

You may experience this problem due to issues with the sensors, lock-out buttons, or wires. Whenever this garage door error arises, consider following the above-mentioned solutions. Hopefully, this brief guide will help you get rid of the problem.

A properly functional garage door opener ensures the safety of your essential items. Don’t overlook issues related to the opening or closing of the garage door. Call a professional if required.

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