Garage door too heavy to lift
The springs carry the door’s weight, so start there: one broke, or they’ve worn weak with age. Then come springs too small for the door and dragging rollers.
What to do right now
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Step 1 Stop lifting, then check the spring overhead for a gap in its coil. -
Step 2 Check both bottom corners for a cable that’s loose or hanging. -
Step 3 Springs and cables whole, door fully closed? Pull the red release cord. - Step 4 Then lift it halfway and slowly let go. Too heavy to get there? Stop.
Likely causes
- Snapped spring The door went from easy to dead weight overnight, often after a bang. from$249
- Springs worn weak It got heavier over months and drifts down when you let go halfway. from$249
- Springs too small Insulation or windows added weight, and the springs stayed the same. from$249
- Rollers dragging Worn rollers or a bent track make you fight the door all the way up. from$259
You’ll know the exact price at the door, before work begins.
When to call us
Call us 7 AM to 9 PM if you found a gap in a spring, a loose cable, or a door that won’t hold halfway. Leave the opener off until we’ve seen it.
Common questions
How heavy should a garage door feel?
Light. With healthy springs, you can lift a two-car door with one hand, and it stays put when you let go halfway up. The door itself can weigh 150 pounds or more. The springs carry that weight, not you and not the opener.
Can the opener lift it if I can’t?
No, and don’t let it try. An opener is built to steer a balanced door, not haul dead weight, and a heavy door can strip its gear. After a balance check, lower the door by hand and leave the opener off until the springs are fixed.