Your garage door is the unsung hero of your home—quietly opening and closing multiple times a day, often without a second thought. Until, of course, it doesn’t. A garage door failure can be inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst. Whether you’re dealing with a door that won’t move, a garage door opener that stopped working, or a system that suddenly jerks and slams, the root of the problem is often preventable.
Let’s break down the five most common causes of garage door failure and how to avoid them, so you can protect your investment and avoid costly repairs.
1. Worn-Out Springs
Why it happens: Garage door springs are the muscle behind the lift. Most residential doors use either torsion springs or extension springs to counterbalance the weight of the door. These springs have a finite number of cycles—typically around 10,000. That sounds like a lot, but for a door that opens and closes several times a day, you can burn through those cycles in just a few years.
How to spot it:
- The door is unusually heavy to lift manually.
- The opener struggles or can’t lift the door.
- One side of the door sags.
- You hear a loud “bang” from the garage (a spring snapping).
How to avoid it:
- Get regular inspections by a garage door repairman.
- Consider upgrading to high-cycle springs if your garage is in frequent use.
- Never try to repair or replace springs on your own—they’re under extreme tension and can cause serious injury.
Pro tip: Replacing both springs at the same time prevents uneven wear and future failure.
2. Misaligned or Damaged Tracks
Why it happens: The tracks guide your garage door as it moves up and down. If they’re bent, rusted, or misaligned, the rollers can bind, jump, or completely fall out—bringing your entire system to a halt.
How to spot it:
- The door rubs, shakes, or squeals during movement.
- Visible gaps or warping in the track.
- The rollers keep popping out or jamming.
How to avoid it:
- Don’t bump the tracks with your car or lawn equipment.
- Clean debris from the tracks monthly.
- Call a pro if you see dents or notice uneven movement.
Pro tip: Never attempt to force a bent track back into place with a hammer. You’re more likely to crack or kink the metal, which could cause full system failure.
3. Neglected Garage Door Opener
Why it happens: Your opener is the motorized heart of the system, yet most people forget it exists until it fails. Over time, gears wear down, capacitors fail, and logic boards short out—especially in dusty, unventilated garages.
How to spot it:
- The motor hums, but the door doesn’t move.
- You hear clicking, but nothing happens.
- Remote and wall button are both unresponsive.
- The opener light flashes an error code.
How to avoid it:
- Schedule regular lubrication and tune-ups.
- Keep the area around the opener free of dust and moisture.
- Test the backup battery (if equipped) every six months.
Pro tip: Many modern openers, like those from LiftMaster and Sommer, offer built-in diagnostics. Use these to catch small issues before they escalate.
4. Sensor Issues and Safety Reversals
Why it happens: Since 1993, after being mandated by Federal law, garage doors have included safety sensors that reverse the door if something is in its path. While life-saving, these sensors can be finicky. Misalignment, dirt, or electrical problems can fool the system into thinking there’s an obstruction when there isn’t.
How to spot it:
- The door begins to close, then reverses.
- The opener flashes and won’t shut the door.
- The sensor lights blink or aren’t lit at all.
How to avoid it:
- Clean the sensors with a microfiber cloth once a month.
- Make sure they’re mounted at the same height and facing each other.
- Protect sensor wires from damage by pets or equipment.
Pro tip: Don’t override or bypass safety sensors. If you’re constantly having to do so, call a technician to recalibrate or replace them.
5. Lack of Maintenance and Lubrication
Why it happens: Garage doors are machines with moving parts—rollers, hinges, chains, and springs. Without periodic care, friction builds, parts grind, and failure follows.
How to spot it:
- The door moves slower or louder over time.
- You notice visible rust or squeaking.
- The door jerks or skips along the track.
How to avoid it:
- Apply a silicone-based lubricant to rollers, springs, and hinges every 3-4 months.
- Tighten loose bolts and brackets.
- Have a professional tune-up done annually.
Pro tip: Avoid using WD-40. It removes grime, but doesn’t provide lasting lubrication.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Ignore the Small Stuff
It’s easy to shrug off a little noise, a slow close, or a single roller that squeaks now and then. But these are often the first signs of wear. Catching them early means you can repair garage components for a fraction of the cost of full replacements.
If you ever notice your garage door behaving differently—even slightly—take it seriously. Small issues almost always snowball into bigger ones.
Stay Ahead of Garage Door Failure
Whether your garage door is brand new or showing its age, staying proactive is the key to avoiding breakdowns. With routine inspections, basic maintenance, and smart upgrades, you can prevent the most common causes of garage door failure.
Still worried something might be off? Don’t wait until your garage door is broken. Reach out to a trusted local garage door repair company who can help inspect, service, or repair garage systems before they leave you stuck.
Garage doors may seem simple—but the smartest homeowners know that prevention is always better (and cheaper) than emergency repair.
