Why can't I remove my front wheel with its quick release?

I recently bought a road bike off Craig's list with a front wheel that has a quick release. When I loosen up the quick release and try to take the wheel out, it won't fall out! I can get one side of the hub to move down a little bit, but the other side seems like it is stuck in place between my fork. What do you think the problem is and can you suggest a way to get the wheel unstuck?

Fuzzy explained it pretty well. The most common problem that results in your symptom is a bent dropout.

If you want, remove the quick release all the way (don't lose any of the parts) and then, while holding the bike off the ground by the handlebars use a fist and "hit" the wheel down until it comes off. Then, replace the quick release.

Take the bike to a bike shop and have a mechanic assess the fork for possible bent dropouts and or bent/ offset blades. If it is determined that the dropouts are in-fact bent they can usually be bent back into the correct position with not a hint of damage. You'll want to do this as soon as you can as the wheel could, not only be difficult to get in and out, but also be set into the dropouts crooked which would cause wheel truing problems, brake alignment problems, and steer-ability issues. Sounds to me like the seller of the bike didn't use a fork brace/ dropout protector when they shipped the bike to you. Good luck.

I just had this happen to a bike. You want to check on the fork where the stuck side doesn't move. The slot should be parallel an not taper. The slot that holds the wheel is likely bent. I took mine back to the bike shop where I got it and they were able to bend it back to the way it should be. I would suggest taking it to a bike shop, or replacing the front fork yourself (the bike shop should be able to bend it back for you).

My guess is the lawyer tabs are holding it in place. They are little bumps or tabs on the end of the fork that doesn't allow the wheel to drop out until it's almost completely unscrewed, or in the case or tabs you may need to remove the QR to remove. That's the issue 99.9% of the time.

Unscrew the quick release skewer more untill the wheel falls out.
The drop outs have this as a strength and safety feature.

I'll bet on the lawyer tabs being your problem.