Do not run the opener
The opener is not built to lift the door’s full weight. Running it can strip gears and pull the door off balance.
Garage door spring broken or door suddenly too heavy?
Springs lift the door’s weight. When one breaks, often with a loud bang, the door becomes very heavy and the opener may not lift it. This is dangerous to handle yourself. Call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent garage door technician does the repair.
Am I in the right place?Yes for a gap in the spring above the door, a loud bang, or a door that suddenly feels very heavy.
Is this urgent?Yes. Do not lift the door or run the opener.
What do I do next?Keep clear and call 833-877-1717.
Cables too: cable repair.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
Safe checks
Do not lift it by hand
With a broken spring the door is very heavy and can drop suddenly.
Keep people and vehicles clear
Keep children and pets away and do not drive in or out under the door.
Springs and cables are dangerous
Garage door springs and cables hold enormous tension and can cause serious injury. Never adjust, loosen or remove springs, cables or bottom brackets yourself. Only pull the emergency release when the door is fully closed: releasing a raised door with a broken spring can make it fall. Keep children and pets away from a damaged door.
Common causes
Torsion spring broken
Most modern doors have a torsion spring on a bar above the door. A visible gap in the coil means it has snapped.
Extension spring broken
Older doors use springs along the side tracks. These should have safety cables running through them so a broken spring cannot fly loose.
Worn springs
Springs wear out after a certain number of open-close cycles. A door that feels heavy or makes the opener strain may have worn springs.
Spring and cable failure together
A broken spring can let a cable slip off its drum, leaving the door crooked. See cable repair.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code and whether it is a home or business
- Whether you heard a loud bang
- Whether you see a gap in a spring above or beside the door
- Door size and whether it is single or double width
- Whether a vehicle is trapped
How garage door spring replacement usually works
- Secure the door. The technician clamps the door so it cannot move while the springs are worked on.
- Remove the old springs. Tension is released safely with proper tools. This is the dangerous step.
- Install matched springs. New springs are sized to the door’s weight and height.
- Balance and test. Tension is set so the door is balanced, then the opener and safety reverse are tested.
Many technicians recommend replacing both springs on a two-spring door at the same time, because the other spring is usually close to failing too.
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles garage door repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Garage door spring broken or door suddenly too heavy questions
Is a broken garage door spring dangerous?
Yes. Springs store a lot of energy. Adjusting or replacing them without training and proper tools can cause serious injury.
Should both springs be replaced?
On doors with two springs, replacing both is common because they wear at the same rate.
How long do garage door springs last?
It depends on the spring and how often the door is used. Springs are rated in open-close cycles, so busy doors wear springs out sooner.
Can I still use the door with one spring broken?
It is not recommended. The remaining spring and the opener are overloaded, and the door can fall.
Can I call at night or on a weekend?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.