Technically, yes, you can open a garage door with a broken torsion spring, but you absolutely should not use the automatic opener to do it. Torsion springs counterbalance the 100+ pound weight of the door; without them, the full weight falls on the opener, which will quickly strip the gears or burn out the motor.
A garage door can still open if the spring is broken, but it takes a bit of manual effort. Trying to open it automatically with the opener could strain the motor or burn it out since the broken spring makes the door heavier to lift. We recommend not trying to open your garage door if it has a broken spring.
To open a garage door with a broken torsion spring, pull the red emergency release cord to disconnect the automatic opener. With the help of at least one other person, manually lift the door from the bottom and secure it open using sturdy clamps or vice grips on the tracks. Never use the automatic opener, as it will damage or burn out the motor.
Garage doors with broken springs should not be opened. Doors in this condition can be difficult to lift because the garage door opener loses the support springs provide in lifting and lowering the door.
Garage door torsion springs typically last between 6 to 12 years, which translates to about 10,000 to 15,000 open-and-close cycles. (One cycle equals opening and closing the door once).
Garage door torsion springs break primarily due to metal fatigue from normal wear and tear. Every time the door opens and closes, the metal coils wind and unwind. Over thousands of cycles, this repeated stress creates microscopic cracks within the steel until the spring eventually snaps.
Garage doors are heavy, most weigh between 130 to 400 pounds. The spring system, either torsion or extension, is what makes it possible to lift the door with ease. When a spring breaks, that weight shifts entirely to the opener or your strength. Trying to open or close the door in this condition can be very dangerous.
Does home insurance cover garage door springs? Whether home insurance covers garage door springs depends on your policy and how the spring was damaged. If your policy covers your garage and the spring breaks due to a covered peril, it should cover garage spring repair.
Can I run my garage door without springs? No. Springs are what balance the door's weight. Without them, your opener will fail quickly or you'll be stuck lifting hundreds of pounds manually.
To open a garage door manually from the outside, you must release the door from the automatic opener. This is typically done using an Emergency Release Lock (a keyed lock cylinder at the top center of the door).
Replacing the torsion spring is a tricky and potentially dangerous task. Since dealing with a broken garage door spring is risky, it's important to take certain precautions. You should wear goggles and other protective gear when you're handling the springs.
If your garage door spring is broken, use the manual release and carefully lift the heavy door with at least one other person. Never force the automatic opener, as this can severely damage or strip the motor.
You'll be able to tell your coil spring is broken by:
Steps for How To Open Your Garage Door When a Spring Is Broken
Average Cost of Garage Door Spring Replacement
The average cost to replace a garage door spring runs $150 to $350 per spring, including labor. If your garage door has two springs, you can usually expect to pay $300 to $700 total. Garage door spring replacement is one of the most common garage door repairs.
Can You Open a Garage Door with a Broken Spring? It's possible to open a garage door with a broken spring, but we don't recommend it. Trying to lift a broken door with your garage door opener can damage the motor, and a manual lift can put you, bystanders, vehicles and pets in danger.
To manually lift a garage door during a power outage or opener failure, close the door completely and pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the overhead track to disconnect the automatic opener. Then, lift the door using the center handle until it is fully raised and secure.
Yes, you can open a garage door with a broken torsion spring, but you should not use the automatic motor. Doing so risks stripping the motor gears or burning it out. Manually lifting is possible, but a broken spring makes a 150-pound door feel like 300+ pounds, turning it into a severe hazard.
Most torsion springs last for 10,000 cycles. Depending on how frequently the door is activated, that could translate to nearly a decade or just a few years.
Most standard home insurance policies cover garage door damage if it results from a covered peril. A risk that the policy was built to protect against. Here are common types of damage that may be covered: Severe weather like windstorms, hail, or natural disasters often qualifies.
The Cost of Replacing Just One Spring
In some cases, the uneven tension can even cause damage to your cables, drums, or opener. By replacing both springs together, you reset your system, ensuring balanced lifting power, maximum cycle life, and fewer repairs down the road.
If the spring is stretched, cracked, or broken in half, it needs replacing. TorqueMaster Springs – Hidden inside a tube. If the door is suddenly too heavy to lift manually, the internal spring has likely failed.
No, you should not use standard WD-40 on garage door springs. Standard WD-40 is a water displacer and degreaser, not a lubricant. It will wash away existing grease, cause the springs to dry out, and can even attract dust and dirt.