Garage Door Won't Stay Up and Slides Back Down
If your garage door won't stay up and slides back down on its own, the cause is almost always a spring problem — usually a broken or weakened torsion spring that can no longer counterbalance the door's weight. A door that creeps down on its own (rather than slamming) often means the springs are stretched out or out of adjustment; a door that drops fast or makes a loud bang usually means a spring has snapped. This is one of the few garage-door repairs we strongly recommend leaving to a pro, because those springs are under enough tension to cause serious injury.
Step by step
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1
Clear the area and never stand under a sagging door
First things first — keep kids, pets, and your own hands and feet out from under a door that won't stay up. A door drifting down is a sign the counterbalance system has failed, and you don't want anything under it if it lets go. If the door is partway open and creeping, walk it fully down by hand from the side, not the middle, and keep your fingers off the section joints.
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2
Disconnect the opener and test the balance by hand
Pull the red emergency release cord to disconnect the opener, then lift the door to about waist height and let go. A healthy, properly balanced door will hold its position on its own. If it slides or drops the moment you release it, the springs (not the opener) are the problem — the opener was just masking a failing counterbalance. This single test tells you most of what you need to know.
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3
Inspect the springs for a break or gap
Look at the spring(s) above the door (torsion type, mounted on a bar over the opening) or the long springs running along the tracks on each side (extension type). A broken torsion spring usually shows a clear 1-2 inch gap where the coil separated. If you see that gap, a hanging spring, or a spring that looks stretched out and uneven, that's your culprit — and your cue to stop and call a pro.
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4
Check the cables and the track for binding
If the springs look intact, glance at the lift cables on both sides. A frayed, loose, or off-the-drum cable can let one side drop and the door slide. Also look for a bent track, a popped roller, or debris in the track that lets the door slip downward unevenly. These are lower-tension parts, but a door that won't hold is still under load, so don't force anything loose by hand.
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5
Rule out opener and travel-limit settings
If the door holds fine by hand but still slides back down only when the opener runs it, the issue may be in the opener: worn travel/force limit settings, a stripped trolley gear, or a sensor making it reverse. Check your opener's manual for the up-travel limit adjustment. If the manual settings don't fix it and the balance test passed, the opener — not the springs — likely needs service.
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6
Leave the door down until it's repaired
If you've confirmed a spring or cable problem, keep the door closed and don't keep operating it. Running a door on a broken spring forces the opener to lift the full weight (often 150+ pounds) alone, which burns out the motor and can snap a cable. Park another car in the driveway if you need to, and get the spring replaced — most pros can swap a torsion spring same-day.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if you see a gap or visible break in a spring, if the door drops fast or feels extremely heavy, or if it still won't hold position after you've ruled out the opener — spring work is high-tension and not a safe DIY job.
Call (888) 290-7421Frequently asked
Why does my garage door close by itself after I open it?
Almost always a counterbalance issue. When a torsion or extension spring weakens or breaks, it can no longer hold the door's weight, so gravity pulls it back down. Less commonly, an opener with mis-set travel limits or a failing safety sensor will reverse the door on its own. Do the hand-balance test (disconnect the opener and see if the door holds at waist height) to tell which one it is.
Is it safe to use my garage door if it won't stay up?
No, not until it's fixed. A door that won't hold position means the springs are doing little or none of the lifting, so the opener is straining against the door's full weight — which can snap a cable or burn out the motor, and a sudden drop is a real injury and property risk. Keep the door closed and have it serviced before using it again.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
We don't recommend it. Torsion springs are wound under extreme tension, and a slip while winding or unwinding them can cause severe hand, face, or eye injuries. It also takes specialized winding bars and the correct replacement spring matched to your door's weight and size. This is the textbook case where calling a pro is worth it — a trained tech swaps a spring safely in well under an hour.
How much does it cost to fix a garage door that won't stay up?
If it's a spring, most homeowners pay roughly $150 to $350 for a professional torsion spring replacement, parts and labor included, depending on spring size and whether you replace one or both. Cable or roller fixes usually run less; opener travel-limit adjustments are often a quick service call. We replace springs in pairs when one breaks, since the second is usually close behind.
Rather leave it to a pro?
Licensed local techs, same-day service, upfront pricing, and a 1-year warranty.