How to Tell If Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken

A garage door spring might be small compared to the rest of your system, but when it breaks, you’ll know something’s wrong—and fast. If your garage door suddenly feels heavier, stops halfway, or refuses to open at all, the spring could be the culprit.

If you’re trying to figure out how to tell if your garage door spring is broken, there are a few key signs that can point to the issue. Some are visual, others are mechanical—and all of them can affect the safety and function of your door.

At Zimmer Gates & Doors, we often get calls from homeowners across Central Ohio who aren’t sure what went wrong—only that their garage door just isn’t working like it used to. Here’s how you can tell if a broken torsion spring or damaged extension spring is to blame, and what you should do next.

Why Garage Door Springs Matter

Garage door springs are responsible for counterbalancing the weight of your door—whether you open it manually or with an automatic opener. Most residential garage doors weigh between 130 to 350 pounds, and the springs do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. When a spring breaks, that balance is thrown off, making the door unsafe to use.

There are two main types of springs:

• Torsion springs: Usually mounted above the garage door opening, they wind and unwind to control movement.
  
• Extension springs: Found on either side of the door, these stretch and contract to assist with lifting.
  

Knowing what type of spring your system uses can help identify the issue faster, but in either case, a broken spring requires immediate attention.

Common Signs Your Garage Door Spring May Be Broken

1. The Door Feels Heavy or Won’t Stay Open

One of the most noticeable signs of a broken spring is a garage door that feels unusually heavy or won’t stay up on its own. You may try to lift the door manually, only to find it slams shut or barely budges. This happens because the spring is no longer supporting the door’s weight.

2. You Heard a Loud Bang From the Garage

Garage springs are tightly wound under high tension. When one snaps, it can make a sudden, loud bang—often mistaken for something falling or even a minor explosion. If you heard a noise like this and your door isn’t working right, the spring is likely broken.

3. You See a Gap or Visible Damage in the Spring

In a torsion spring, you might see a visible 2-3 inch gap in the coil where the break occurred. Extension springs, on the other hand, may appear stretched out or hanging loosely. If you notice this, avoid touching the spring and call a professional right away—these components are under significant tension and can be dangerous.

4. The Door Opens Crooked or Moves Jerky

If your garage door opens at an angle, makes jerky movements, or looks uneven, it may be due to a broken extension spring on one side. The imbalance puts extra strain on the system and can damage the tracks or cables if left unaddressed.

5. The Garage Door Opener Struggles or Stops Working

Your garage door opener isn’t designed to carry the full weight of the door—it relies on spring tension to function. If the opener sounds like it’s struggling, moves slowly, or gives up halfway, it’s often because a spring snapped and the motor can’t compensate.