Broken Garage Door Spring? What to Do Right Now
Short answer: Stop using the door. Don't try to lift it by hand or with the opener, because the springs carry most of the door's weight and a door without them can drop. Keep people, pets and cars away, unplug the opener if it keeps trying to run, and call a garage door pro. Spring replacement typically costs $180 to $350 in national cost surveys.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
A broken spring is one of the most common garage door problems, and one of the most dangerous to handle yourself. Here's how to tell what happened and what to do while you wait for help.
Garage door springs and cables are under high tension. Don't touch them, and keep people, pets and cars away from a door that won't move right.
How to tell if a spring broke
- You heard a loud bang from the garage, often when nobody was using the door.
- You can see a gap in a coiled spring above the door.
- The door won't go up, or rises a few inches and stops while the opener hums or strains.
- The door goes up crooked or comes down fast.
- A cable is loose or hanging off the side.
You don't need to get close to confirm it. If the door suddenly won't lift after a bang, treat it as a broken spring.
What to do right now
- Stop pressing the button. The opener isn't built to lift the door's full weight. Running it can strip the gear or bend the door.
- Unplug the opener if it keeps trying to run.
- Leave the door where it is. If it's closed, keep it closed. If it's stuck partly open, keep everyone out from under it.
- Keep kids and pets out of the garage.
- Call a garage door pro. Tell them you think a spring broke and whether the door is open or closed.
Can I open the door by hand?
It's not a good idea. The springs balance the door's weight. Without them, the door can be very heavy and can fall when you let go. Pulling the opener's emergency release on a door with a broken spring takes away the last thing holding it, so the door can drop. National cost guides give the same advice: leave spring problems to a professional.
The car is stuck inside. Now what?
When you call, say that your car is stuck and ask how soon someone can come and whether an urgent visit costs more. Until then, use another ride if you can. Don't pry the door open with a tool or a car.
Torsion or extension spring?
- Torsion springs are mounted on a bar above the door opening.
- Extension springs run along the side tracks, above the door.
You don't need to know which one you have. The provider will check. Both are under high tension.
Should I replace one spring or both?
If your door has two springs and one broke from wear, the other has worked just as hard. Replacing both in the same visit can save a second call. Ask the provider what they recommend for your door and what each option costs.
Is it worth fixing?
Almost always. A spring repair costs far less than a new door. A replacement makes more sense only if the door itself is badly damaged, warped or worn out. See repair or replace.
What the repair includes
A good spring repair usually includes:
- New springs sized to your door.
- A check of the cables, drums, rollers and hinges.
- A balance check: the door should stay put about halfway open.
- A safety reverse test of the opener, the one the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends monthly.
What it costs
National cost surveys put spring replacement at about $180 to $350, depending on the type of spring and the door. Heavier doors and after-hours visits can cost more. If other parts were damaged, those are extra. The provider will confirm the price before any work. More in garage door repair cost in the RGV.
Why springs break
Springs wear out with use. Every time the door goes up and down, the spring works. A door that's out of balance puts extra strain on the springs and the opener. That's why a noisy or jerky door is worth checking early.
Broken spring right now?
Keep the door still and call a local garage door pro in Brownsville, Harlingen or nearby. More on spring repair.