Garage Door Spring Broken? Stop and Read This First
Short answerIf a garage door spring breaks, stop using the door and do not try to fix it. Springs and their hardware are under high tension and can cause serious injury. Keep people away from the door, leave it where it is, and call a trained door systems technician to replace the spring.
Safety first
- Do not operate the door, by hand or with the opener, until the spring is replaced.
- Do not touch, remove or adjust springs, cables, brackets or the wood blocks that hold them. These parts are under extreme tension. Serious injury or death can result.
- Keep children, pets and cars away from under the door. An unbalanced door can drop suddenly. Do not pull the release handle if the door is open.
Likely causes
| Cause | How to tell | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Broken torsion spring | A loud bang from the garage, and a visible gap in the spring on the bar above the door. | A technician replaces it. |
| Broken extension spring | A spring along the side track is loose or stretched out, or a piece is hanging. | A technician replaces it and checks the safety cable. |
| Cable or hardware failure | A cable is loose, off its drum or frayed, or the door hangs crooked. | A technician repairs it. Do not touch it. |
| Door out of balance | The door feels heavy, the opener strains, or the door will not stay partly open. | A technician balances it. A stronger opener does not fix this. |
Why this is a job for a professional
- Call a trained door systems technician as soon as you suspect a broken spring. If your car is stuck inside, tell them when you call.
- The door is open or partly open and will not move. Stay out from under it.
- Ask: which springs and what cycle rating will you install? Will you replace both springs, and why? Will you balance the door, inspect the cables and run the reversal test? What is the total price and warranty?
What it costs to have fixed
Garage Door Repair is estimated at $80 to $620 nationally. See your state
Common questions
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
DASMA, the door industry group, says not to operate the door until the spring is replaced. Without the spring, the door is very heavy and can fall. The opener is not designed to lift it.
How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
You may hear a loud bang, see a gap in the spring over the door, or find that the door is very heavy, crooked or will not open with the opener.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
No. DASMA says all spring repairs and adjustments should be done by a trained door systems technician with proper tools. These parts are under extreme tension.
What should I check after the repair?
CPSC advises a reversal test. Lay a 2x4 flat in the door's path, and the door should reverse when it hits it. Inspect the door and opener every 30 days.
How long do garage door springs last?
Amarr says residential springs are 10,000-cycle springs, where one cycle is one full open and close. With up to three or four uses a day and the right maintenance, it says to expect at least seven years. Amarr also says adjusting a spring is difficult and dangerous, so work with a garage door expert. Source
Do I need to replace both garage door springs?
DASMA, the door industry's trade group, says that if your door has two springs, replace both, even if one is not broken. Spring systems are dangerous and should be repaired only by trained professionals. Source
Should garage door springs be lubricated?
DASMA says regular greasing or lubrication, as required in the door maker's instructions, helps maximize spring life. Follow your door's instructions. We recommend never loosening or adjusting a spring yourself, and leaving that work to a trained technician. Source
Why do garage door springs break early?
DASMA names rust, which weakens the wire, chemicals such as chlorine-based acids, extra door weight from paint or added parts, and doors left open in extreme weather. If a spring has broken, we recommend that you stop using the door and call a trained technician. Source
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Last verified 2026-11-01
Sources
- DASMA: Inspection Checklist for Sectional Garage Doors (TDS 167) — Springs are under high tension, do not operate the door with a broken spring, and repairs must be done by a trained door systems technician
- DASMA: General Code Inspection Guidelines (TDS 151) — Parts under spring tension are under extreme tension and should be looked at, not touched
- DASMA: Torsion Spring Terrorism? — The door needs a high degree of spring tension, and homeowners should use a trained door systems technician
- CPSC: Non-Reversing Automatic Garage Door Openers Are a Hazard — An unbalanced door can crash to the floor; service by a professional; the 2x4 reversal test and inspection every 30 days; testing the release only with the door closed
- DASMA: Garage Door Openers Safety Tips — A door that feels heavy is likely out of balance, and a stronger opener is not the answer
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.