Your garage door is one of the largest moving parts in your home. It opens and closes many times each week. Over time, its parts wear down, especially the springs. A broken spring may not look obvious at first. But it can stop your door from working safely.
When the spring fails, it puts extra strain on the rest of your system. Your opener may struggle. The door may feel heavier or move unevenly. Worse, it could stop working altogether. Knowing the signs can help you act fast and avoid bigger repairs.
Many homeowners don’t know how important spring is. It supports the full weight of your door. Once it breaks, the door can slam shut or refuse to open. The sooner you spot the issue, the sooner you can fix it. In this blog, we’ll show you five clear signs that your garage door spring is broken.
Spot the Signs Before Bigger Problems Begin
Many homeowners don’t notice spring issues right away. That’s because the signs can be easy to miss at first. But if you know what to look for, you can catch the problem early and avoid costly damage.
A broken garage door spring can affect the way your door opens, sounds, and even looks. The sooner you spot the warning signs, the safer your home will be.
In the next sections, we’ll walk you through five simple clues that often point to a broken spring. These signs are quick to check and can help you decide when it’s time to call for help.
1. The Door Feels Heavy or Won’t Open
If your door suddenly feels much heavier, the spring may be broken. Springs are designed to carry the weight of the door. When they fail, the weight shifts to the opener and your hands. You might notice the motor struggling. Or the door may only open a few inches and then stop.
If your door isn’t moving at all, don’t try to force it. Lifting a garage door with a broken spring is dangerous. Instead, contact our team for fast garage door repairs. We’ll inspect the system and safely replace the spring if needed.
2. You Hear a Loud Bang, But Nothing’s There
Many people report hearing a loud snap or bang in the garage before noticing a problem. It may sound like something fell. In many cases, that noise was the spring breaking.
The sound happens when the coil suddenly releases its tension. You may not see damage at first. But the noise is a clear warning. Learn more about how to spot and fix broken springs before the damage gets worse.
3. The Door Opens Crooked or Shaky
A garage door should move smoothly and evenly. If your door starts opening at an angle or feels shaky, it’s a warning sign. When one spring breaks, the other spring or parts of the system work harder. This causes the door to tilt or jerk during movement.
You might also hear scraping or banging as it opens or closes. This uneven motion puts stress on other components, like the cables and rollers. Over time, these parts can wear down or snap. To avoid further damage, check out our rollers and cables repair services and get them inspected early.
If your door is clearly out of alignment, do not keep using it. It could get stuck or fall suddenly. Pause all use and call a technician.
4. You Notice a Gap in the Spring
Garage door springs are usually mounted above the door opening. Most homes use torsion springs, which are long and tight coils. If a spring breaks, a gap appears where the coil separates.
This gap is a clear sign that the spring has failed. You might also see signs of wear like rust, uneven spacing, or fraying cables near the spring. These issues should not be ignored.
Before doing any repairs, inspect the area from a safe distance. Do not touch or attempt to reset the spring. These parts are under a lot of pressure and can be dangerous. You can find the right replacements on our parts and accessories page or request service directly.
Springs wear down over time. A visual check every few months can help you catch problems early. If you spot a gap or visible break, schedule a service call right away.
5. The Opener Struggles or Stops Working
Sometimes, your garage door opener will give you the final clue. If the motor starts but the door doesn’t move, your spring might be broken. Openers are not made to lift the full weight of the door. They rely on the spring to carry most of the load.
When the spring fails, the opener has to work harder. You may hear the motor hum or grind, but the door stays in place. In other cases, the opener may lift the door partway, then stop or reverse. This is often a safety feature kicking in to prevent damage.
Continuing to use the opener with a broken spring can burn out the motor. That leads to more costly repairs. If your opener seems to be working too hard, visit our garage door openers page for tips and help. Also, if your door is louder than usual, check our guide on noisy doors to learn more.
Stay Safe and Get Expert Help Fast
Garage door spring problems are not just annoying. They’re also dangerous. Broken springs can snap, cause doors to fall, or damage other parts of your system. That’s why it’s important to act fast.
At CA Garage Doors, we know how to spot and fix spring issues quickly. Our trained team has the right tools and experience to get your door working safely again. Whether it’s a broken spring, worn cables, or a damaged opener, we’ll inspect every part with care.
We proudly serve San Luis Obispo and nearby areas with fast, professional service. If you’re hearing strange noises, seeing gaps in your spring, or struggling to open your door, don’t wait.
Contact CA Garage Doors SLO today to schedule your inspection or repair. We’re here 24/7 to keep your garage door running smoothly and safely. One call is all it takes to restore peace of mind.
