Can a Garage Door Be Lifted Manually After the Spring Breaks?

When a garage door spring breaks, the door often becomes extremely heavy and difficult to operate. In emergency situations, many homeowners ask whether a garage door can still be lifted manually after spring failure.

The short answer is: it may be possible in limited situations, but it is not safe for regular use.

Why Garage Doors Become Heavy After a Spring Breaks

Garage door springs are designed to counterbalance the weight of the door. Once a spring fails, that counterbalance is lost.

As a result:

• The door’s full weight must be lifted manually

• Even lightweight doors can suddenly feel extremely heavy

• The risk of losing control increases significantly

This is why spring failure is considered a serious safety issue.

Is Manual Lifting Ever Possible?

In some cases, manual lifting may be possible:

• The door is small and lightweight

• Two adults are lifting together

• The door is lifted only a short distance

However, this should only be done once and with extreme caution, such as moving a vehicle out during an emergency.

Safety Risks of Manually Lifting a Garage Door

Attempting to lift a garage door without spring assistance can cause:

• Back or hand injuries

• Sudden door drops

• Damage to tracks or rollers

• Additional strain on remaining components

If the door slips from your grip, it can fall rapidly and cause serious harm.

What Should You Do Instead?

If a spring breaks:

• Stop using the garage door immediately

• Do not attempt repeated manual lifting

• Disconnect the opener only if necessary

• Contact a professional technician as soon as possible

Proper spring replacement restores balance and safe operation.

Final Advice

While a garage door might be lifted manually after a spring breaks, it should never be treated as a normal solution. Spring systems are critical for safety, and professional repair is always the safest choice.