Why is my garage door shifted to one side when closing?

Author: Lilly Kulas V  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

In this case, if your garage door shifted to one side, it might be because the rollers are out of the track or not running properly. Faulty garage door rollers could result in a crooked or jammed garage door. Your garage door will likely not work at all if the rollers have completely jumped the track.

Why is my garage door shifted to one side when I close it?

A misaligned track can cause the door to shift to one side. Use a level to check the alignment, and adjust the tracks as needed. With these steps, you can effectively check for obstructions or damage in the tracks and rollers and fix the issue causing your garage door to shift to one side.

Why is my garage door leaning to one side?

Problems that could leave your garage door uneven include: Poor weight distribution by the spring tension. Worn or sagging cables. Broken torsion spring.

How to fix a misaligned garage door track?

Here's how to do it:
  1. Step One: Loosen the Track Screws.
  2. Step Two: Adjust the Track Position.
  3. Step Three: Tighten the Track Screws.
  4. Step Four: Adjust the Other Track.
  5. Step One: Loosen the Track Bolts.
  6. Step Two: Adjust the Door Gap.
  7. Step Three: Tightening Track Bolts.

Why won't my garage door stay centered?

Misaligned or loose hinges: Over time, hinges can become loose or misaligned, causing the door to become uneven. This can be caused by normal wear and tear, or by impact damage to the door. 2. Misaligned tracks: The tracks that guide the door up and down can become misaligned, causing the door to become uneven.

How to Fix A Crooked Garage Door

Why is my garage door getting stuck on one side?

There are several reasons for the door getting stuck on one side. It could be due to broken springs, insufficient lubrication, or even the door going off track.

How to fix a garage door that closes crooked?

How to Fix an Uneven Garage Door
  1. Tools required to fix uneven doors. ...
  2. Steps to fix the doors. ...
  3. Step one: disconnect the power source from the door opener and relieve the tension. ...
  4. Step two: loosen the springs. ...
  5. Step three: loosen the drum cables. ...
  6. Step four: tighten the sides. ...
  7. Step five: tighten the springs.

How does garage door get out of alignment?

Older garage door tracks often have loose parts that change the door's alignment. Continual use will further loosen these parts, making the misalignment worse over time. Bumping into the tracks can also misalign the garage door, causing numerous issues that hinder movement, efficiency, and more.

How do I know if my garage door is misaligned?

Your Door is Misaligned

If you notice that your garage door appears loose or uneven while opening or closing it, this could be a sign that it has come out of alignment. Misalignment can result from broken springs or frayed cables on one side of the door and requires immediate repair.

How much does it cost to realign a garage door?

Alignment. Your garage door can get out of alignment in several ways. It can happen on its own naturally over time, or something may bump into the door and make it unbalanced. If your garage door needs an adjustment, this service will cost about $150 to $300 on average.

Why is my garage door not closing straight?

Garage doors rely on various springs to help them open and close with ease. If one of the extension springs is broken, it can make the door go crooked so it doesn't close all the way on one side. A quick visual inspection should reveal whether any of your garage door springs are broken.

Why does my garage door only close part way?

Over the years, parts of your garage door system can break or wear out. After many years of continued use, the unit may be past the point of repair. If you bump or accidentally hit the rails or sensors, it may disrupt the system's delicate balance, causing the door to only move up or down a certain distance.

Why did my garage door bend?

Improper Installation: If the garage door was not installed correctly in the first place, it can lead to structural issues over time. A poorly installed door may not have the necessary support or alignment, causing it to bend or warp.

Why does my garage door track to one side?

In this case, if your garage door shifted to one side, it might be because the rollers are out of the track or not running properly. Faulty garage door rollers could result in a crooked or jammed garage door. Your garage door will likely not work at all if the rollers have completely jumped the track.

Will unplugging a garage door opener reset it?

Yes, unplugging a garage door opener will reset it. Unplugging the opener erases the programmed settings. You will have to reprogram it again once you plug it in. When doing that, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer thoroughly to make sure that you are doing the entire programming process correctly.

How do you fix a misaligned garage door track?

Fixing a Misaligned Garage Door

Binding garage doors: A binding garage door happens when the door is nearly impossible to operate. To fix a binding door, begin by loosening the screws that secure the track to the garage door frame. Then, use a rubber mallet to reposition the track to its proper placement.

How to reset garage door sensor?

Sensor Reset: If your safety sensors are malfunctioning, causing the door to stop or reverse for no reason, you might need to realign and reset them. Make sure the sensors are clean and pointed directly at each other. Press and hold the wall button until the door closes, and the sensors resynchronize.

Why is my door out of alignment?

Loose hinges can cause the door to sag and become misaligned. Replace Stripped Screws: If screws are stripped, replace them with longer or thicker screws for a better hold.

How much to replace a torsion spring on a garage door?

Spring Type: Extension springs usually cost $50 to $100 each with labor. Torsion springs cost $75 to $150 to replace. A heavy-duty door may use commercial-grade springs, which cost $100 to $500 just for parts; labor can add an extra $150 to $300. Location: The cost of garage door spring replacement can vary by region.

How to check garage door sensor alignment?

There should be an LED indicator light on the top or back of each unit that lights up when the sensors are parallel and aligned. You may have to adjust the sensor brackets up and down or side to side to achieve this.

How much does it cost to align a garage door?

An average cost range would be between $150 and $325. Replacement (as opposed to repair) of a garage door can average between $300 and $1200, depending on size, style, and materials. A typical service charge for a professional garage door servicing is around $80 per hour.

How do you fix a crooked door that won't close?

Instructions
  1. Tighten Hinge Screws. ...
  2. Replace Hinge Screws. ...
  3. Drive Screws Into the Door Jamb. ...
  4. Tighten the Strike Plate. ...
  5. Move the Strike Plate Slightly. ...
  6. Move the Strike Plate. ...
  7. Inset Strike Plate Deeper Into Jamb. ...
  8. Sand Down Door.

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