The garage door is the largest moving part of most homes, and many people use it as their main entrance. When it will not open, opens crooked or makes grinding noises, it is more than an inconvenience. A broken spring or loose cable can make the door dangerous.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent local garage door provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
When a garage door problem is urgent
Call for help promptly in these situations.
Never try to adjust or remove springs, cables or brackets yourself. They are under high tension and can cause serious injury. Keep people and cars clear of a door that is stuck or crooked.
- A loud bang and a door that will not open
- A door hanging crooked or off its track
- A door that will not close, leaving the home open
- Snapped or hanging cables
- A door that does not reverse when it touches something
What we can connect you with
When you call, describe what the door is doing and whether you heard a bang.
Spring repair
Replacing broken torsion or extension springs and balancing the door.
Opener repair
Fixing or replacing openers, remotes, keypads and safety sensors.
Off track doors
Resetting doors that have come off their tracks and replacing bent tracks or rollers.
Cables and rollers
Replacing worn cables, rollers and hinges.
Panel repair
Replacing dented or damaged panels.
New doors
Installing new garage doors and openers.
Signs your garage door needs repair
Watch and listen for these signs.
- Grinding, squealing or banging noises
- A door that moves unevenly or jerks
- A door that reverses or stops for no reason
- Gaps at the bottom when closed
- A door that is very heavy to lift by hand
- Frayed cables or rusted springs
Kinds of garage door openers
The opener affects noise, speed and features.
Chain drive
Common and affordable, but louder than other types.
Belt drive
Quieter and smooth, often chosen when rooms sit above the garage.
Wall mount
Mounted beside the door on the torsion bar, freeing up ceiling space.
What affects the cost
There is no single price for garage door work. These are the things that change the size of the job.
- Which part has failed
- The size and weight of the door
- Spring type and cycle rating
- Whether the opener also needs work
- Parts availability for older doors
- After hours calls
- A new door’s material and insulation
Ask every provider for a written quote that lists the work, the materials and what is not included, and get any change in writing before extra work starts.
Handle it yourself or call a pro
Usually fine to do yourself
- Clean and align the photo eye sensors
- Replace remote batteries
- Lubricate rollers and hinges
- Test the auto reverse with a board placed flat under the door
Time to call a professional
- Anything involving springs or cables
- A door off its track
- A door that will not reverse
- Bent tracks or damaged panels
- Opener wiring problems
Since the early 1990s, federal rules have required garage door openers to reverse automatically when they touch something. If yours does not, have it fixed or replaced.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you insured? Ask for proof.
- Is the price for parts and labor together?
- What spring cycle rating are you installing?
- Do you charge extra for nights or weekends?
- What warranty do you give on parts and labor?
Frequently asked questions
Why will my garage door not open?
A broken spring is the most common cause. Other causes include opener problems, blocked sensors and off track rollers.
Is it safe to open a door with a broken spring?
No. The door can be very heavy and may fall. Wait for a technician.
Should I repair or replace my garage door?
Repair usually makes sense for springs, cables and openers. Replacement makes sense for badly damaged or very old doors.
How often should a garage door be serviced?
Every year or two, plus simple checks such as the monthly auto reverse test.
Does Sifixit do the garage door work?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. The work is done by independent local businesses, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing and insurance.
Is calling free?
Yes. Calling and being connected costs you nothing. If you hire a provider, you pay that provider directly for the work.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.