The usual signs of a broken garage door spring are a loud bang, a visible gap in the coil, a door that feels very heavy or will not lift, a door that rises only a few inches, a crooked door, and an opener that strains. If you see any of them, stop using the door and call a technician.
Six signs of a broken spring
A torsion spring sits on a shaft above the door and balances its weight. When it breaks, the door loses that help, and the signs show up quickly.
| Sign | What you notice | Why it happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A loud bang | A sound like a gunshot or a backfire from the garage | The spring snaps and releases its stored energy |
| 2. A gap in the coil | A visible break in the spring above the door, usually 2 to 3 inches wide | The spring has separated in the middle |
| 3. A very heavy door | The door is hard to lift by hand, or will not lift at all | Nothing is balancing the door's weight |
| 4. The door rises a few inches, then stops | The opener starts, then stops or reverses | The opener is not designed to lift the full door weight alone |
| 5. A crooked or slack door | One side is higher, or a cable hangs loose | The cable loses tension, or the shock damaged it |
| 6. A strained opener | The motor labors, or the door moves slowly and noisily | The opener is doing the spring's job |
A break is often easy to confirm by looking, but only a technician should handle the spring.
Warning signs before it breaks
Springs often give hints first. The door may feel heavier than usual, drop when you lift it halfway and let go, rise slowly, or make groaning noises from above the opening. Rust on the coils and a door that opens unevenly are also signs of a worn spring. If you notice these, book a check before the spring breaks. See how long garage door springs last.
Four look-only checks
Stay clear and stop using the door
Do not press the remote or wall button again. Keep children and pets out of the garage.
Look at the spring from the floor
On a torsion spring, look for a gap in the coil above the door. Do not touch or reach for it.
Look at the cables
Check both sides. A cable that is loose, hanging or off its drum can come with a broken spring.
Look at the door
Note whether it is crooked, off its track or hanging on one side, and tell the technician.
Springs are under high tension. DASMA says spring systems should be repaired only by trained professionals. A door that has lost its spring can slam shut, and lifting it by hand risks your back.
Extension springs look different
Some doors use extension springs that run along both sides of the door instead. A broken one may hang loose or sit in two pieces. DASMA says extension springs should have a safety cable running through them, and that homeowners without one should call a dealer for a safety inspection.
What to do right now
- Do not use the opener or try to lift the door.
- If the door is fully closed and you must free a car, ask a technician how to do it safely. Pull the red release handle only with the door closed.
- Keep everyone away from the door.
- Take a photo of the spring and cables to show the technician.
- Call for a repair. The spring and cables are usually checked in the same visit.
What a repair involves
A technician replaces the spring with one matched to your door's weight and size, checks the cables, balances the door and tests the safety reverse. Springs wear at the same rate, so replacing both is common. Our typical price for a torsion spring pair on a standard two-car door is $250 to $450, heavy-duty springs are $350 to $900, and we confirm the final price after we see the door. See garage door spring repair.
We repair springs in cities such as Aliso Viejo, Brawley and Albany. Call (213) 340-4232 or send the estimate form.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
Listen for a loud bang, then look for a gap in the coil above the door. A door that is very heavy, rises only a few inches or hangs crooked also points to a broken spring.
Can I fix a broken garage door spring myself?
No. Springs are under high tension and DASMA says they should be repaired only by trained professionals.
Does a broken spring mean the cables are damaged too?
Not always, but the shock of a break can damage a cable, so a technician checks both.
Should I replace one spring or both?
Usually both, because they have done the same number of cycles. The technician will tell you when one is enough.