# The garage door won’t open after a loud bang: broken spring > A loud bang followed by a door that won’t open often means a broken spring. Don’t touch springs or cables, which are under high tension, and stop pressing the opener. Only pull the red emergency release with the door fully closed; without the spring the door is very heavy, so lift with help or wait for a pro. Call a garage door company, ask the full price up front, and get it in writing. - URL: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=garage-door-broken-spring ## Step by step 1. **Heard a loud bang, and now the garage door won’t open?** It’s often a broken spring. Springs hold a lot of force, so safety comes first. 2. **Look for the signs, from a distance.** A gap in the spring above the door, a door that feels very heavy, or an opener that hums but can’t lift it. 3. **Don’t try to fix springs yourself.** Springs and cables are under high tension and can cause serious injuries. Stop pressing the opener button, which can burn out the motor. 4. **Need your car out? Be careful.** Only pull the red emergency release with the door fully closed. Without the spring, the door is very heavy; lift it with help, or wait for a pro. 5. **Call a garage door company.** Ask the total price up front, including parts and the trip fee. Many techs suggest replacing both springs at once. 6. **Watch out for bait-and-switch prices.** Very low advertised prices can turn into a big bill once the tech arrives. Get the price in writing before work starts. 7. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Look for the signs from a distance - Don’t touch springs or cables - Stop pressing the opener - Pull the release only with the door closed - Call a pro and ask the full price - Get the price in writing ## Signs of a broken spring A loud bang from the garage, a visible gap in the spring above the door, a door that feels very heavy, or an opener that hums but can’t lift it. ## Safety Garage door springs and cables are under high tension and can cause serious injuries. Don’t try to adjust or replace them yourself. Stop pressing the opener, which can strain or burn out the motor. ## Getting the car out Only pull the red emergency release when the door is fully closed; an open door with a broken spring can slam down. Without the spring, the door is very heavy. Lift it with two or more people and prop it securely, or wait for a professional. ## Getting it fixed Call a garage door company. Ask for the total price up front, including parts and the trip fee. Many techs recommend replacing both springs if you have two. ## Avoid surprises Very low advertised prices can turn into much bigger bills on site. Get the price in writing before work starts, and check reviews and any required license. ## Common questions ### How much does it cost to replace a garage door spring? It varies by area and door, often a few hundred dollars for a professional replacement. Get a written quote. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-garage-door-spring ### How long do garage door springs last? Many are rated for around 10,000 open-close cycles, often several years of normal use. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/how-long-do-garage-door-springs-last ### Why did my garage door make a loud bang? Often a torsion spring snapped. You may see a gap in the spring above the door. Don’t use the opener until it’s checked. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/why-did-my-garage-door-make-a-loud-bang ### Can I open my garage door with a broken spring? It’s possible but risky and very heavy. Only release the opener with the door closed, and lift with help, or wait for a pro. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/can-i-open-my-garage-door-with-a-broken-spring ### Is it dangerous to replace a garage door spring myself? Yes. Springs and cables are under high tension and can cause serious injuries. Hire a trained technician. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/is-it-dangerous-to-replace-a-garage-door-spring-myself ### Should I replace both springs? Many technicians recommend it if your door has two, since the other is often near the end of its life too. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/should-i-replace-both-springs ### How do I avoid garage door repair scams? Be wary of very low advertised prices, get the full price in writing before work starts, and check reviews and any required license. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/how-do-i-avoid-garage-door-repair-scams ### Why does my garage door opener hum but not open? Often a broken spring, a locked door, or a stuck track. Stop pressing the button and check from a safe distance. Source page: https://explained.page/garage-door-broken-spring/questions/why-does-my-garage-door-opener-hum-but-not-open ## Official sources - [CPSC: garage door safety](https://www.cpsc.gov/) - [FTC consumer advice: hiring contractors](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "garage door spring repair [your city]" - "[your state] contractor license lookup" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.