How to Know If Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken

Five clear signs your torsion or extension spring has failed, and what to do (and not do) before the repair tech arrives.

A broken garage door spring is by far the most common cause of a door that suddenly won't open. Here's how to confirm it before you call.

1. You Heard a Loud Bang

A torsion spring failure usually sounds like a gunshot from the garage. If you've heard that sound recently and the door isn't working right, the spring is almost certainly the issue.

2. Visible Gap in the Spring

Look at the long torsion spring above the door. A working spring is one continuous coil. A broken spring will have a clear 2 to 3 inch gap where the wire separated.

3. The Door Won't Open or Only Lifts a Few Inches

Openers are designed to move the door, not lift it. Without spring counterbalance, even a powerful opener will strain, hum, and stop. If your opener starts to lift and then reverses, the spring is likely broken.

4. The Door Feels Extremely Heavy

Pull the red emergency release cord and try to lift the door by hand. A balanced door should float at the halfway point. If it's a dead weight, the springs aren't doing their job.

5. The Door Closes Too Fast

A weakening spring may still hold the door up but won't slow its descent. If the door slams down or crashes the last foot, get it checked.

What Not to Do

Do not try to open the door with the opener — you can fry the motor and damage cables. Do not try to replace the spring yourself; torsion springs store enormous energy and are genuinely dangerous without the right tools and training.