Garage Door Off Track? What It Means and What to Do

A garage door that has come off its track is a safety problem, not just an inconvenience. If your door looks crooked, is stuck partway, or has rollers hanging outside the track, stop using the opener and do not try to force it. A door that is off track can fall or twist, and forcing it usually makes the damage worse.

Signs your garage door is off track

• The door is crooked or hangs lower on one side.
• The door is stuck partway open or closed.
• Rollers are visibly outside the track, or the track looks bent.
• You hear grinding, scraping, or popping as the door moves.
• The opener runs but the door barely moves, or stops and reverses.
• There is a visible gap between the door and the frame.

Common causes

Doors usually come off track after an impact, such as a vehicle bumping the door, or because of loose or damaged track brackets, worn rollers, a broken cable, or an object blocking the track. Gradual wear can also let a track drift out of alignment until the door finally jumps.

What to do right now

1. Stop using the opener and unplug it if the door is moving unevenly.
2. Keep people, pets, and vehicles away from the door.
3. Do not try to push or lift the door back into the track.
4. Do not loosen or adjust the track brackets, springs, or cables yourself.
5. Call a professional for an inspection.

How a professional repairs an off-track door

A technician will secure the door, check the springs and cables, inspect the rollers and track for damage, straighten or replace what is bent, realign the track, and test the door balance and safety reversal before leaving. If panels are dented or cracked, we can discuss panel replacement as well.

Get help from DDS Garage Doors

Frequently Asked Questions