Stop
Never attempt to repair or replace a garage door spring yourself; the stored tension can cause severe injury or death. Keep everyone away from the door until a professional arrives.
Symptoms
- Loud bang heard, often mistaken for a gunshot or car backfire
- Door won't open, or feels extremely heavy when lifted manually
- Visible gap or separation in the coiled spring above the door
Likely causes
- CommonSpring reaching the end of its normal lifespanMost torsion springs are rated for a certain number of open/close cycles, typically several years of daily use.
- PossibleLack of maintenance or lubrication accelerating wearDry, rusted springs wear out faster than well-maintained ones.
- PossibleIncorrect spring size or tension from a past installationA spring not properly matched to the door's weight can fail prematurely.
- Less commonExtreme temperature swings adding stressVery cold weather can make springs more brittle and prone to snapping.
What to do
- Do not attempt to open the garage door with the opener or by hand once you know or suspect a spring is broken.
- Look for a visible gap in the spring coil above the door from a safe distance, without touching it.
- Keep the area clear of children and pets, since a broken spring can leave the door dangerously unbalanced.
- If a vehicle is trapped inside, wait for professional repair rather than forcing the door open.
- Do not attempt torsion spring replacement yourself; this is one of the most dangerous DIY home repairs due to the extreme stored tension.
- Call a licensed garage door technician to replace the spring, and consider having both springs replaced together if your door uses two, since the other often fails soon after.
Tools and parts
- None recommended for DIY
Garage door torsion spring (professional install only)Search: “garage door torsion spring replacement”
When to call a pro
Call a licensed garage door technician immediately; this repair is not safe to attempt without specialized tools and training.
Safety
Stop
Never attempt to repair or replace a garage door spring yourself; the stored tension can cause severe injury or death. Keep everyone away from the door until a professional arrives.