Garage Door Will Not Lock
Up and over and side hinged garage doors that will not lock, or lock on one side only, repaired so both locking points engage.
Manual garage doors only - no electric doors No fix, no fee 24/7, emergency and non emergencyWhy a garage door stops locking
Stretched or slipped cables
The cables between the handle and the side latches stretch over time. When they stretch, the latches no longer return fully and do not reach the keeps on the frame. If one cable has stretched more than the other, the door locks on one side only.
Bent or seized latches
Slamming the door or forcing it can bend a latch, and rust can stop the latch spring pushing it out. The door closes but the latch does not engage.
Door dropped or frame moved
As springs and pivots wear, the door can sit lower or at an angle in the frame, so the latches miss their keeps. The fix is adjusting the latches and keeps to suit, and noting if the door itself needs attention from a garage door engineer.
Side hinged doors
On side hinged doors the passive leaf bolts may not be engaging, or the active leaf has dropped so the lock misses its keep. See side hinged garage door locks.
Why one sided locking matters
A door that locks on one side only can be prised open at the unlocked corner with a bar. It feels locked when you test the handle, which is why this fault often goes unnoticed until there is a break in. Check by pulling each bottom corner of the door outwards after locking it.
How we fix it
We test the door through full open and close cycles, find which locking point is failing and why, then replace or re-tension the cables, replace bent latches and adjust the keeps so both sides engage firmly. Where the door needs extra security, ground locks can be added alongside the main lock.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my garage door only lock on one side?
One cable or rod has stretched or slipped, or one latch is bent. The other side is still working, which is why the door feels locked.
How do I check if both sides are locked?
After locking, pull each bottom corner of the door outwards. If one corner moves noticeably, that side is not engaging.
Can stretched garage door cables be tightened?
Sometimes, but cables that have stretched usually keep stretching. Replacing them is the more reliable fix.
Is it the lock or the door that is the problem?
It can be either. We check the door alignment as part of the repair and tell you if the door itself needs a garage door engineer.
Garage door will not lock or open?
Send a photo of the handle and we will identify the lock.