🔍 Not sure if your spring is broken or which type you have? Before taking any action, consult our Comprehensive Garage Door Spring Repair Guide to identify your system and diagnose the issue correctly. to identify your system. If you specifically need to confirm the symptoms of a snap, check out our detailed article on the 5 Signs Your Garage Door Spring is Broken.
🛑Immediate Warning: Do NOT use the electric garage door opener if a spring is broken. When a spring snaps, your garage door suddenly weighs hundreds of pounds with no counterbalance. In this state, an automatic opener will strain to lift the 200+ lb dead weight, likely burning out the motor or stripping its gears. For your safety (and to save your opener from serious damage), disconnect the opener and leave it off until the spring is fixed.
The Danger of the Red Emergency Release Cord
Every garage door opener has an emergency release – usually a red cord hanging from the trolley. Never pull that red cord when the door is even partially open if a spring is broken. If you do, the opener’s brake is released and nothing will hold the heavy door up. The door can slam down like a guillotine, causing severe injury or damage. In fact, experts warn that pulling the release with a broken spring can make the door “come crashing down”. Safety rule: Only use the emergency release cord when the door is fully closed on the ground. This way, you can switch to manual mode without the door free-falling.
Step-by-Step: Manually Lifting the Door (Two-Person Job)
If you must open your garage door with a broken spring, plan on a two-person lift and proceed with extreme caution. Here are the steps to do it as safely as possible:
- Ensure the Door is Down & Disconnect the Opener: First, make sure the garage door is completely closed. Unplug the automatic opener (to prevent any power activation) and locate the red emergency release handle on the opener rail. Pull straight down on the red cord to disengage the door from the opener mechanism. Important: Only do this while the door is down – if the door was stuck partly open, do not disconnect it (the door could crash shut). Instead, call a professional.
- Get a Helper on Each Side: Do not attempt this alone. Position one strong adult on each side of the door, grasping the bottom edge. This balanced stance prevents the door from skewing sideways. Clear the area of kids, pets, and obstacles. Lift in unison, keeping the door even and level as you start to raise it. Good communication with your helper is key to a smooth, level lift.
- Lift With Your Legs, Not Your Back: A garage door without spring assistance is extremely heavy, so use proper form. Bend your knees and lift upward with your legs while keeping your back straight. Maintain a firm grip on the door’s bottom. Lift slowly and steadily – rushing could make one side slip. Keep the door balanced; if one side starts to lag behind, stop and re-level to avoid the door jamming in its tracks.
- Open it Enough to Move Your Car: You don’t necessarily need to push the door all the way to the top, just high enough to comfortably get your vehicle out. Typically, lifting until the door’s top edge reaches the horizontal track is sufficient. Be mindful that without springs the door will not stay up on its own. Hold it firmly in place (with your helper’s support) once it’s open to the needed height.
Securing the Door in the Open Position (The “Vice-Grip” Trick)
Once the door is lifted, you cannot hold it up forever – and you shouldn’t try! To prevent the door from crashing back down, you’ll need to secure it. A time-tested trick is to use C-clamps or locking pliers (vice-grips) on the tracks as a physical stop. Clamp the track just below the lowest roller on each side of the door. These clamps act as stoppers, catching the door if it tries to slide down. Gently test that the door rests on the clamps. This simple vice-grip trick will hold the door in place long enough for you to move your car and until repairs can be made. (For extra safety, you could also prop a sturdy ladder or wood beam under the door as a backup support.)
When to Stop: Knowing the “Pro” Threshold
Not every situation is safe for DIY opening. Recognize when it’s too dangerous to continue and you need a professional. Stop and do NOT attempt manual opening if you notice:
- The door is off-track or crooked. If the door has come out of its tracks or looks uneven, additional components (like cables or rails) may be broken or misaligned. Forcing it can cause further damage.
- The lift cables are loose, tangled, or dangling. This often accompanies a broken spring. Tangled cables can jam the door or snap unpredictably – a clear sign to call a pro instead.
- The door feels impossibly heavy or jams solid. All garage doors are heavy, but if two adults still struggle to budge it, do not risk injury. There could be more than a spring issue at play, and forcing a jammed door can lead to accidents.
In any of these cases, leave the door alone and call a garage door technician. It’s not worth hurting yourself or causing expensive damage by pushing a bad situation.
Transition to a Permanent Fix (Time to Call the Pros)
Opening your garage door this way is only a temporary fix. The broken spring means your door is still unsafe and non-functional for regular use. Now that your car is out, don’t press your luck — it’s time for a permanent repair. Keep everyone away from the door and do not reconnect the opener while the spring is broken. Contact a professional garage door repair service as soon as possible to replace the spring and re-balance your door. Springs are under high tension, and replacing them is not a DIY job for most homeowners due to the danger involved.
Finally, remember this takeaway: A broken spring is an inconvenience, but it can be fixed. Until it is, follow the precautions above to stay safe. Once you’ve gotten your vehicle out, your next step should be getting that spring replaced. Check our Garage Door Repair Near Me page to find a qualified technician who can make your garage door safe and functional again – today.
“Stuck with a door that won’t close at all? Read our next guide on [How to Close a Garage Door That Is Stuck Open] to secure your home immediately.”
