Garage door repair

A garage door is usually the biggest moving part of a house. It runs on springs under heavy tension, steel cables, rollers and an opener, and when one part fails the door can stick, drop or refuse to move.

Most problems come down to a handful of parts. Some are quick fixes. Others, like broken springs, are dangerous to handle without the right tools and training.

Common problems

• Broken spring. You may hear a loud bang from the garage, then find the door too heavy to lift. Springs hold the door's weight under high tension, so replacing them is a job for a trained technician.
• Snapped or loose cable. The door hangs crooked or one side drops. Cables work with the springs, so they're often damaged together.
• Door off its track. Rollers come out of the track after a bump or a worn part, and the door jams partway.
• Opener problems. The motor hums but the door doesn't move, the remote stops working, or the door reverses before it closes. Dirty or misaligned safety sensors are a common cause.
• Storm damage. Strong wind can bend panels, push a door out of its tracks or leave it unable to close securely.

Help with a specific problem

• Broken garage door spring
• Garage door opener not working

In the news

• Chamberlain Group Blocks Third-Party Integrations for MyQ Garage Door Controller (opens in a new tab)CE Pro, Nov 9, 2023

  In November 2023 Chamberlain cut off unofficial outside access to its myQ garage door platform, breaking Home Assistant and Homebridge setups. Owners who used those tools must switch to the myQ app, an approved partner such as Ring or Vivint, or a retrofit controller.

• Chamberlain Group Recalls LiftMaster myQ Garage Door Control Panels Due to Entrapment Hazard (opens in a new tab)U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Feb 9, 2023

  Chamberlain recalled about 96,400 LiftMaster myQ wall control panels made March to October 2022 because a fault in the backup safety system can let the door close on an obstruction. Owners of listed models such as 8500MC and RJO20MC can get a free replacement panel.

What happens when you call

1. You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
2. We connect your call to an independent garage door provider who serves your area.
3. You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.

Main Street Services doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to open a door with a broken spring?

It's best not to. Without a working spring, the door's full weight rests on the opener or on you, and it can drop suddenly. Leave it closed if you can and call for help.

Should both springs be replaced?

Doors with two springs usually have springs of the same age, so when one breaks the other may not be far behind. Your provider can tell you whether replacing both makes sense.

Who will come to my home?

An independent garage door provider who serves your area. Main Street Services connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.

Do I pay for the call?

No. The call and the referral are free. You only pay the provider if you hire them.