Is there a way to open a garage door if the spring is broken?

Author: Golda Berge  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Locate the emergency release cord hanging from the center rail of the garage door track and pull it down and toward the back of the garage to engage the manual mode. Secure the Door: Use a sturdy ladder to reach the manual release cord. Pull it down and secure the door in place with a clamp or a pair of vice grips.

Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?

If you have a broken spring, do not attempt to use the opener to open your garage door. It doesn't matter if you have the best opener on the market: Don't use your opener at all. Using your opener with a broken spring can result in all sorts of expensive problems, such as: Cracking or crumpling the door panels.

Can a garage door open without the spring?

Technically, a garage door can open and close without springs, but it poses significant challenges and risks.

How do you open a door with a broken spring?

Opening A Garage Door With A Broken Extension Spring
  1. 1 – Grab a Partner. ...
  2. 2 – Use Extreme Caution. ...
  3. 3 – Do Not Use the Opener. ...
  4. 4 – Disengage the Door from the Opener. ...
  5. 5 – Place Two Crowbars Under the Garage Door. ...
  6. 6 – Lift the Door. ...
  7. 7 – Clamp the Door. ...
  8. 8 – Use Ladders To Hold the Door Up.

How to manually open a garage door from the outside?

From Outside:
  1. Locate the Emergency Release Kit and insert the appropriate key into the lock socket.
  2. Turn the key and pull the lock tumbler out of the lock to engage the release mechanism on the garage door opener carriage.
  3. Lift the garage door open until it stops moving.

How To Open A Broken Garage Door, Broken Spring

How to manually open a garage door when spring breaks?

6 Steps To Opening Garage Door with Broken Spring
  1. Step 1: Disconnect the Garage Door Opener. Locate the emergency release handle on the garage door opener. ...
  2. Step 2: Secure the Door. ...
  3. Step 3: Have Helpers. ...
  4. Step 4: Lift the Door Manually. ...
  5. Step 5: Lift in Sections. ...
  6. Step 6: Secure the Open Door.

What happens if a garage door spring breaks?

When the spring breaks in your garage door, you will be unable to operate your garage door like usual. The problem might be a broken spring if: The garage door opener motor is running but the door isn't moving. You can hear the garage door opener trying and failing to lift the door.

How much does it cost to replace a broken garage door spring?

According to Angi, garage door spring replacement can cost between $150 and $350, including materials and labor. If additional repairs are required, you may spend up to $500. A double door generally costs an extra $15 to $30 per spring.

How to open a garage door with a broken cable?

Stand on the ladder and place vice grips or locking pliers on the track just above the bottom roller on the broken cable side. Gently lift the door by pulling up on the vice grips or pliers. If you have an assistant, they can help lift the door evenly on the opposite side.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

Replacing a garage door spring yourself isn't impossible, but it does require special knowledge about the springs and how a garage door works.

Will a garage door opener work with extension springs?

You can, but in most cases you can only use a side mounted garage door opener on your garage door if certain conditions exist and the the required parts can be installed.

Can a garage door work without spring?

Without the spring, the door essentially has nothing to support its weight. We don't recommend attempting to open a garage door with a broken spring but sometimes it's an absolute emergency.

How to open a door when the mechanism is broken?

Pop the end of your screwdriver through the hole that the spindle sits in, then turn it away from the door frame. This should retract the latch so you can open the door. Another technique to try is the credit card trick often seen in movies.

How long does it take to fix a broken garage spring?

On average, a professional technician can complete the replacement in about one to two hours. However, DIY replacements may take longer due to safety precautions and lack of experience.

How to manually open a garage door with a broken spring?

Locate the emergency release cord hanging from the center rail of the garage door track and pull it down and toward the back of the garage to engage the manual mode. Secure the Door: Use a sturdy ladder to reach the manual release cord. Pull it down and secure the door in place with a clamp or a pair of vice grips.

What is the lifespan of a garage door spring?

When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years. However, this depends on how often you use your garage door.

Is it safe to use a garage door with a broken spring?

Without functioning springs, the full weight of the door must be lifted manually, making this operation a possibly deadly task. Increased Risk of Injury: Trying to lift a garage door without springs makes the door unwieldy and difficult to control. Handling the entire weight can easily lead to accidents or death.

Does Lowe's carry garage door springs?

We have a full range of garage door parts, such as brackets, locks, springs and cables, available at Lowe's.

Can you weld a garage door spring back together?

Our answer is always no. You shouldn't even weld near your springs, let alone on them. Springs don't stand well to heat, since heat causes springs steel to de-carbonize and lose tensile strength, making the area around the weld brittle like a cheap pencil.

Can using the emergency release on garage door break it?

Using the Emergency Release

This will disengage the motor from the door, allowing you to open it manually. Open the door: Once the release is pulled, you can open the garage door manually. Be cautious and avoid using excessive force, as this could damage the door or opener and potentially cause injury.

How do you open a garage door from the outside when the power is out?

To open your garage door from the outside during a power outage, locate the emergency release kit, usually near the top of the door. Insert the key, unlock the door, and pull the manual release cord. This will allow you to lift the garage door manually without using the opener.

How to open a stuck garage door?

If your garage door is unlocked and it still won't budge, you may have to try and open it manually. To do this, you will need to pull the red emergency release cable located overhead the front of the garage door. This should disengage the opener and allow you to lift and close the door by hand.

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