Common signs of a broken garage door spring
- A loud bang from the garage, often when nobody was using the door. Springs are under heavy tension and frequently break with a sound like a firecracker or a dropped board.
- A visible gap in the spring. On many doors, a torsion spring runs along a metal bar just above the closed door. A broken one usually shows a clear gap of a few inches between coils.
- The door only rises a few inches, or not at all, even though you can hear the opener running.
- The door looks crooked or lifts unevenly. This is more common on doors with extension springs that run alongside the horizontal tracks.
- Loose or slack cables hanging near the bottom corners of the door.
- The door closes faster or harder than it normally does.
Why the door suddenly feels so heavy
Springs do most of the lifting. They counterbalance the weight of the door, and a typical two-car door can weigh well over 100 pounds, so that an opener or a person only has to guide it. When a spring breaks, that counterbalance is gone and the full weight of the door is left for the opener, or you, to lift.
That's also why the opener struggles. Openers are designed to move a balanced door, not to lift its whole weight. With a broken spring you may hear the motor run or hum while the door barely moves, or the door may start to rise and then reverse. Many openers are designed to stop or reverse when they sense too much resistance.
Stop using the door until it's checked
If you suspect a broken spring, avoid running the door over and over to see whether it works.
- Repeated attempts can strain or damage the opener.
- Without a working spring, the door can drop quickly and unexpectedly, especially when it's partly open.
- Cables can slip off their drums, which can leave the door hanging crooked.
- Keep people, pets and vehicles out from under the door.
- If the door is open, don't pull the opener's red emergency release cord. With a broken spring, nothing may be holding the door's weight, and it could fall.
- If a vehicle is stuck inside, mention it when you request help so the company knows it's time-sensitive.
Why springs are a job for a professional
Garage door springs store a large amount of mechanical energy. Torsion springs are wound under heavy tension, and adjusting, unwinding or replacing them without the right tools and training can cause serious injury.
A trained garage door technician can confirm whether a spring is the problem, check the cables, drums, rollers and opener for related damage, and recommend a repair. For that reason, this page intentionally doesn't include do-it-yourself spring replacement instructions.
Torsion springs vs. extension springs
Torsion springs are mounted on a metal bar above the door opening and twist to lift the door. Extension springs run along each side, parallel to the horizontal tracks, and stretch as the door closes; they usually have a safety cable running through the middle. You don't need to know which type you have, but if you can tell, it's useful information for the company.
What to have ready when you request help
- Your city, plus a neighborhood or cross streets if you're in a large area.
- Whether the door is currently open, closed or stuck partway.
- Whether a vehicle is trapped inside.
- What you saw or heard: a bang, a gap in the spring, a crooked door or loose cables.
- Whether it's a single or double-wide door, if you know.
- Where the spring is (above the door or along the tracks), if you can tell.
- Your opener's brand and rough age, if you know.
The company may ask for a photo of the spring area when they contact you.
How Utah Garage Door Connect routes your request
- Submit the request form and choose "Broken spring," or call (385) 276-2164.
- We pass your request to an independent garage door company that serves your area.
- That company contacts you to confirm the details and timing.
- They inspect the door, explain your repair options and give you a price.
The independent company determines what repair is needed, what it costs and when it can be done. On doors with two springs, many companies recommend replacing both at once; ask the company to explain its recommendation.
Our matching service is free. The garage door work itself is quoted, scheduled, performed and billed by the independent company you're matched with, and you're under no obligation to hire them. Learn how our referral service works.
Not sure it's the spring?
If the springs look intact and the problem seems to be the motor, remote or wall button, work through our garage door opener troubleshooting checklist. If the door itself is badly damaged or worn out, read what to know before replacing a garage door.