How to Know If Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken

1. Your Garage Door Won’t Open or Feels Too Heavy

If your garage door refuses to lift or feels extremely heavy, that’s one of the clearest signs of a broken spring. The springs carry most of the door’s weight — when they snap, your opener can’t lift the door properly.

Pro Tip: Don’t keep trying to open it with the opener; you could burn out the motor.

2. You Hear a Loud Bang or Snap

A sudden loud noise coming from your garage (even when you’re not using it) is often a broken spring. When a torsion or extension spring breaks, it releases a lot of tension instantly, causing a sharp, gunshot-like sound.

3. The Door Opens Unevenly or Crooked

If your garage door rises on one side but not the other, it’s likely one of the extension springs snapped. This uneven movement puts stress on the opener and cables, which can lead to more expensive damage if not repaired quickly.

4. The Spring Has a Visible Gap or Separation

Inspect the springs above your garage door. If you see a visible gap in the coil, that means the spring is broken. A healthy torsion spring should be tightly wound — any separation indicates failure.

5. The Door Slams Shut Quickly

A properly working garage door should open and close smoothly. If yours slams down hard instead of gliding gently, that’s another warning that your spring isn’t supporting the door’s weight correctly.

6. The Opener Struggles or Stops Midway

If the motor runs but the door doesn’t move — or stops halfway — it’s likely due to spring tension loss. The opener is not designed to lift the full weight of the door by itself.

7. Cables Are Loose or Hanging Down

When a spring breaks, you might notice the garage door cables hanging loose. While the cables themselves may not be broken, the lack of spring tension makes them slack and unsafe to touch.

What to Do Next

If you suspect a broken spring, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled. Instead, call a licensed garage door technician to safely replace the spring and inspect your system for further damage.

Final Thoughts

A broken garage door spring is a common problem — and an easy one to overlook. Knowing the signs early helps you prevent costly repairs and safety risks.
If you’re in Richardson, TX, and need professional garage door spring repair, our expert team can quickly diagnose and fix the issue, keeping your home safe and functional.