What Are the Signs of a Bad Garage Door Spring?

Garage door springs often show warning signs before they fail completely. Recognizing these early symptoms can help prevent sudden door breakdowns and additional damage to the system.

One common sign of a bad garage door spring is increased door weight. If the door feels unusually heavy or difficult to lift, the spring may no longer be supporting the load properly. Uneven movement is another indicator. A door that opens crookedly or jerks during operation may be experiencing spring imbalance.

Unusual noises can also signal a problem. Loud snapping, popping, or banging sounds from the garage are often caused by a stressed or broken spring. In some cases, a visible gap may appear in the spring coil, which is a clear sign of failure in torsion spring systems.

When a spring is damaged, the garage door opener may still run while the door itself does not move. Continuing to operate the door in this condition can place extra strain on cables, drums, and the opener.

Identifying these warning signs early allows for timely inspection and repair. Addressing spring issues before complete failure helps reduce safety risks and prevents more extensive damage to the garage door system.