Springs
Why Does My Garage Door Only Open a Few Inches?
If your garage door has been working normally and suddenly only rises a few inches before stopping, the most likely cause is a broken spring. Springs are what counterbalance the heavy weight of your door, and without them, the opener can’t lift it.
How to Confirm the Problem
- Pull the red emergency release handle to disconnect the door from your opener.
- Try to manually lift the door.
- If it feels heavier than 10–15 lbs for a single door (or impossible to lift on a double door), you’ve likely got a broken spring.
Other Things to Check
While broken springs are the most common issue, here are a few quick checks:
- Make sure the slide lock on the side of the door isn’t engaged.
- Look for bent tracks or objects stuck in the rollers.
- Confirm nothing has fallen into the track, like a broom or yard tool.
What to Do Next
If your spring is broken, the best solution is to replace both springs. When one fails, the other is usually close behind. You can DIY the replacement with the right tools, or call a repair professional to handle it safely.
👉 Order replacement springs here: Garage Door Springs
Final Thoughts
A garage door that only opens a few inches is almost always caused by a broken spring. Once you confirm it, replacing the springs will restore your door to smooth, reliable operation.
Why does my garage door only open a few inches
The most common reason is a broken spring. Without a working spring, the opener can’t lift the full weight of the door.
Can something else cause the door to stop
Yes, check for track obstructions, a bent track, or an engaged slide lock. But if the door is too heavy to lift manually, it’s almost always a spring issue.
Do I need to replace both springs
Yes. If one spring is broken, the other has likely weakened and will fail soon. Replacing both ensures balance and longer life.
Where can I buy replacement springs
You can order torsion, extension, and TorqueMaster springs directly here: Express Garage Doors.
Also in Garage Door Parts - DIY Handbook
How to Install a Garage Door Quieting Kit: Complete Guide
We've found that replacing the majority of the hinges and installing the rest of the kit does a pretty good job of silencing the door without needing to deal with that bottom roller. If you really feel it needs to be changed, we have a separate process for that, but it's not necessary for most installations.
Torque Master Spring Installation Made Easy: 6 Simple Steps
Installing Torque Master springs might seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and step-by-step guidance, it's a manageable DIY project.