Can I use or close my garage door with a broken spring?

No. Springs carry most of the door's weight, and the opener only guides it. When a spring breaks, the opener has to try lifting the full weight, which can strip its gears or bend the door, and the door can come down suddenly. That is true whether the door is closed, open or stuck partway.

If the door is closed

Leave it closed. Do not press the opener button again and do not pull the emergency release to lift it by hand. A door with a broken spring is far heavier than it looks, and trying to lift it can cause injuries or let it drop. If a car is stuck inside, wait for a technician rather than forcing the door.

If the door is open or partway up

This is the more dangerous situation. Do not try to close it with the opener or by hand, and do not pull the release cord, because the door can fall as soon as it is disconnected. Keep people, pets and vehicles out from under it, lock the door into the house if you can reach it safely, and tell us on the call that the garage is unsecured so it gets priority.

If only one of two springs broke

It is still unsafe. Many doors have two torsion springs, and when one breaks the remaining spring is not made to carry the full load. The door can still jam or drop, so treat it exactly like a fully broken spring: stop using the door and the opener, keep people and vehicles clear, and call.

Why it matters for the opener

Running an opener against a broken spring is a common way to turn one repair into two. When the spring is replaced, the technician balances the door and sets the opener so it is not fighting the spring, and checks the opener if it took a beating. Not sure the spring is the problem? See how to tell if a spring is broken, or read about emergency garage door repair.

Read more

• Garage door spring replacement
• Fixing a garage door spring
• Emergency garage door repair

Related questions

• Should I replace one garage door spring or both?
• How can I tell if a garage door spring is broken?
• Why did my garage door spring break so soon?
• How do I know my garage door springs are weak or about to break?
• How long do garage door springs last?

Have a different question? Call (916) 838-8182 or browse all garage door questions.